Hey, it’s Town’s turn to lead the way again
ABBEY HEY ................................................ 0 RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 2
RUNCORN TOWN moved to the top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division with a 2-0 win at Abbey Hey last Saturday afternooon, the first time since Boxing Day 2013 that the club have sat at the league summit.
Heavy rain prior to kick-off made for a slick surface that was perfect for football and the ground looked in perfect condition for this match in East Manchester.
Runcorn had an early opportunity when from a Tom Rowlands free-kick, Carl Rodgers headed back across into the goalmouth but it lacked enough power to trouble home goalkeeper Jonathan McIlwaine.
When Dave Forbes broke forward, it took a perfectly-timed tackle from Sven Gibson to deny the striker a goal.
Runcorn looked dangerous when they moved upfield and a perfect pass from Rowlands split the home defence. However, a superb challenge by Andrew Smith cleared the ball off the toes of Cairns.
Abbey Hey came back and when Omar McKenzie cut inside, his powerful shot was only inches wide of the target.
Nico Collins was next to try a shot and Runcorn keeper Louie Mackin did well to push the ball wide, Danny Jarrett completing the clearance.
When Forbes and Josh Maguire combined, McIlwaine was quickly off his line to gather the cross.
It was proving to be a close game but Runcorn were controlling the midfield with Joe Holt and Rodgers outstanding.
A volley from Kane Hickman hit a Runcorn defender, taking the power off the shot and Mackin gathered the ball comfortably.
Runcorn took the lead in the 23rd minute when a Rowlands cross found Cairns free on the back post, Town’s leading marksman headed the ball home.
The visitors began to dominate play and when Abbey Hey conceded a corner Runcorn got a second goal just four minutes later.
Rowlands once more found Cairns who beat McIlwaine at the far post.
Jack Tinning looked an excellent player and was always dangerous for Abbey Hey.
When he controlled the ball just outside the Runcorn penalty area his shot whizzed past an upright with Mackin struggling to cover.
Collins then hit a free-kick from 20 yards that flew over Mackin’s bar as the referee signalled for half-time.
The start of the second half saw Joe Heath meet a Forbes cross, his header going powerfully over the crossbar.
Next, Rowlands cut in from the goalline and it took a good save from McIlwaine to deny him.
A centre from Hey’s Adam Jones found Johnny Hardy who hit a fierce shot that Mackin pushed over the top.
A foul on Cairns earned Runcorn a free-kick that Rowlands took creating havoc in the home defence, Smith eventually hacking the ball away from danger.
A free-kick from Phil Doran found Rodgers but his header just cleared the bar, much to the relief of McIlwaine.
Abbey Hey began to put pressure on the Runcorn defence but Mackin was well covered by his defenders.
On the break, Runcorn always looked dangerous and when Rowlands cut in from the left, a late tackle from Darren Talbot resulted in penalty appeals that were turned down.
Maguire then found Cairns but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Doran created an opening but his cross was poor and easily cleared by Smith.
A direct free-kick by McKenzie flew straight at Mackin before George Noon hit a shot that Mackin at full stretch turned round the upright. Doran struck a shot that hit Cairns as Runcorn went on a counterattack.
It had been a good second half from Abbey Hey but Runcorn held on well for the three points and a place at the top of the table.
Town were aiming to build on this fine win when they played host to 1874 Northwich at Pavilions last night. Full details of that game will be in next Thursday’s Weekly News.