Cairns’ injury proves portent for an off day
RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 1 HALLAM...................................................... 2
AN injury in the pre-match warmup to leading marksman Craig Cairns was an unlucky omen for Runcorn Town as they crashed out of the FA Vase at the first round stage to visitors Hallam on Saturday afternoon.
The injury completely disrupted Runcorn manager Chris Herbert’s preparations for the cup-tie. Dave Forbes was quickly drafted in, but Cairns was not allowed to be named as a replacement substitute on the same teamsheet.
Hallam started the game very strongly and forced Runcorn to defend.
Marcus James did well to block a close-range shot from Jake Currie with goalkeeper Louie Mackin quickly gathering the loose ball within his six-yard box.
A mistake by Joe Heath caused problems for Runcorn and once again James covered well and cleared the danger.
Hallam were still pressing hard. A cross from Matt Ord out wide on the right found Jed Phillips who powered a header over the crossbar from 10 yards.
Runcorn countered and a deep centre from Matty Woodward found Simon Thelwell who headed down to Kevin Exell but his shot flew wide.
When Forbes hit a shot from 20 yards, the bounce completely deceived Hallam goalkeeper Dave Darwent who fumbled the ball but recovered to grab it before Runcorn could take any advantage.
Hallam were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute when a professional foul by defender Max Pemberton on Exell as he broke one-on-one with Darwent resulted in a straight red card by referee Aran Hodgkinson.
From the direct free-kick, Joe Holt struck the Hallam wall and what had been a real opportunity for the home side had gone.
As the half wore on there was little goalmouth action with both defences dominating the play that was pretty much confined to the midfield area.
Despite Hallam just having the better ● of the first half, the best goalscoring opportunity fell to Runcorn seconds before the break.
Forbes broke forward and keeper Darwent did really well to parry his shot.
The ball fell to Holt but his shot lacked power and Darwent saved once again to keep the two teams level at the break.
With the second half just started Hallam won a corner on the left.
Runcorn failed to clear their lines, and following a scramble in the six yard area, Scott Bates prodded the loose ball home.
It was hard to deny Hallam deserved the lead but Runcorn hit back quickly when Thelwell’s cross found Paul McManus who drove the ball narrowly wide.
Runcorn equalised on 55 minutes when captain Thelwell did exceptionally well on the left before his cross was fired into the roof of the net by Exell at the back post. Darwent got both hands to the ball but was unable to keep it out.
Runcorn had dragged themselves back into the game, and when McManus struck a corner into the area, a powerful header from Danny Jarrett flew just inches wide.
The cup-tie was settled by a 30-yard screamer from Hallam captain James Reed in the 63rd minute.
Cutting in from the left, his shot flew into the far top corner of the Runcorn net giving Mackin no chance to save.
Soon after, teammate Currie hit the crossbar with another long range effort that left Mackin helpless.
Runcorn responded with a series of attacks the best chance coming when Exell and Matty Woodward combined to cross the ball to Thelwell who headed over the crossbar from an excellent position.
Late on, Woodward was shown a second yellow card by referee Hodgkinson to sum up a rare disappointing day for Town. ●