Two off but Runcorn are right on the Mark
RUNCORN LINNETS ................................. 2 ATHERTON COLLIERIES ......................... 0
RUNCORN LINNETS recorded an eye-catching result on Saturday as they turned in a magnificent performance to condemn Atherton Collieries, many people’s tip for the Hallmark Security League Premier Division title, to 2-0 defeat in a well-tempered match that somehow ended with only nine Linnets players on the pitch.
It was arguably one of the best overall performances from a Linnets side in their 10-year existence.
The home side took control of the game from the off, Paul Shanley climbing highest to send a header towards the top corner but the ball drifted just wide.
Next to go close was skipper Kyle Hamid, who was set up 20 yards out by good link-up play between Mark Houghton and Shanley. The effort curled narrowly wide.
Hamid blazed a free-kick high and wide before the best opportunity of the opening exchanges fell to Hickey, heading over Danny McKenna’s pinpoint cross.
It seemed only a matter of time before Runcorn broke the deadlock and the opening goal duly arrived on the halfhour when a quick throw-in by Danny O’Brien caught the Colls defence flatfooted and sent Hickey on a run into the box. The resulting low cross was poked in at the front post by Houghton.
Chris Lawton received a somewhat harsh booking for a challenge just before half-time, a decision that would have significant ramifications later on.
The home side doubled their advantage on the stroke of the break as a very ordinary long ball caught the visiting defence all at sea and, when Shanley managed to flick the ball on with his head, Houghton found himself one-onone with goalkeeper Adam Reid.
With much still to do, ‘Houghto’ lifted the ball over the imposing keeper and the covering defender and into the net.
It was inevitable that Colls were going to rally after half-time and they came out with much more gusto, Tom Hunt having to snuff out a wicked cross that was begging for a finish.
Despite Colls applying some pressure, the game was almost put out of their reach with 40 minutes to go. The ball was played out quickly to Shanley, who counterattacked up the left and, although well placed to go for goal himself, the wide man squared to Houghton who fired goalwards from 12 yards out.
He was, however, denied a hat-trick by a flying, point-blank save by Reid.
The referee then showed a straight red card to Danny O’Brien for a very minor off-the-ball flick out with his foot that not a single Colls player or supporter made any sort of complaint about.
The Linnets full-back had been playfully slapped around the face by an opponent and had reacted in similar fashion.
As always, you have to accept that the Linnets player did something that gave the referee an opportunity to send him off, but it wasn’t that sort of game and a talking to, with a booking, would have more than sufficed.
Within five minutes of dismissing O’Brien, the match official felt that an even harsher red card was necessary, this time for Lawton who merely stood his ground to try to hinder the run of former Linnets player, Gareth Peet.
It was a move that wouldn’t usually be regarded as a yellow card offence in any circumstances, and certainly didn’t merit a second caution in a game that was largely without incident.
Linnets now faced the daunting prospect of playing for 30 minutes when two men short against a side well known for scoring ample amounts of goals.
But if anything, the job was made more difficult for Colls against nine men than it would have been facing 10.
Matt Cross, deputising for manager Michael Ellison, brought on Andy Thorpe to fill in at right-back and Bev Burey for Antony Hickey to provide some fresh legs for what was going to be halfan-hour of chasing lost causes.
The team then reshaped with a flat back four and three holding in the midfield, allowing Bev to chase down whatever long clearances he could.
A closing period of Colls’ domination ensued which was duly matched by a tireless and admirable workrate by the depleted home side.
Despite the numerical advantage, Atherton struggled to break down Linnets’ defensive wall and only managed one shot on target that Tom Hunt did well to turn around an upright.
New signing, coincidentally from Colls, Kristian Holt was brought on to provide some extra energy for the final 10 minutes and the home side ground themselves into the turf to deliver a fantastic clean sheet and excellent victory.
Linnets are next in action on Saturday when they entertain Daisy Hill in first round of The Macron Cup. Kick-off at the Millbank Linnets Stadium is at 3pm.
They then play host to Bootle for a league match next Tuesday evening. That game kicks-off at 7.45pm.