Runcorn rue dropped points as four see red
NEW MILLS ................................................ 2 RUNCORN LINNETS ................................. 2
FOR the third time this season, Runcorn Linnets failed to win a game after holding a two-goal lead, leaving New Mills on Saturday with a disappointing 2-2 draw having been in a very strong position with an hour of the game played.
This was the Linnets’ first visit to Church Lane since the Millers returned to the Hallmark Security League following relegation from the Evo-Stik League Division One North.
There were a couple of changes to the Runcorn side with Mike Simpson taking up position in centre-midfield and Stu Wellstead starting on the right of the front three with Antony Hickey unavailable due to suspension.
Things started well for the visitors with Paul Shanley getting the early goal that he more than deserves with his endeavours week in, week out finishing well from close-range with 10 minutes on the watch.
Both sides struggled to play crisp football as it seemed at times like the ball had superglue on it, sticking firmly to the pitch and offering little bounce or roll.
Wellstead had a glorious chance to double the Linnets’ lead as half-time approached when he went racing through on goal but opted not to shoot and instead waited for one of his colleagues to arrive into the box with a better angle.
His pass picked out Adam Wade, who got the ball slightly stuck under his foot but still managed to get a fierce shot away that the Millers goalkeeper, Oliver Martin did very well to block.
Seconds before the interval, New Mills were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Samuel Scott was given a second yellow card for a late tackle on Mark Houghton.
It was harsh as his first booking was for a very minor offence but this set the tone for what was to follow after the break.
Upon the restart, Linnets (now kicking down the considerable slope) looked to extend their lead. And only five minutes in, they got the sought-after second goal.
Mike Simpson intercepted an attempted crossfield pass and drove into the box at pace and with Martin off his goalline to narrow the angle, the Runcorn man executed a great early finish into the bottom corner to give his team a comfortable-looking two-goal lead ● against 10 men.
Soon after the Linnets had doubled their lead, New Mills lost another player. This one was a correct decision as leftback, Jamie Kay dived in over the top of the ball and caught Danny O’Brien full force on the ankle.
With the visitors having a two-goal lead against nine players, you could have been forgiven for feeling that the win was now a given, but New Mills had other ideas.
Having played an almost non-existent role as an attacking force to this point, the Millers suddenly roared into life when the chips were well and truly down.
A driving run from midfield got Samuel Marshall around Zac Aley and as he cut across towards goal, he was brought down by the Linnets man for a clear penalty, from which North West Counties Football League journeyman attacker Nathan Neequay sent Tom Hunt the wrong way to give New Mills a glimmer of hope.
It took the nine men only four minutes to get themselves right back in the game when Warren Gaskin scored a magnificent equaliser.
Feelings amongst the Linnets faithful was that much more could have been done to prevent Gaskin from getting a shot of any description away, but despite being on the floor and under pressure from Wellstead, the Millers player/managed to get back on his feet and let fly with an effort from 20-plus yards.
It flew into the top corner, nestling in the back of Hunt’s net after hitting the framework of the goal supporting it.
Linnets manager Michael Ellison brought on Freddie Potter for his first appearance since re-signing but it was the Millers who were now in the ascendancy and it took a good near-post save from Hunt to prevent them taking the lead.
The dynamic of this enthralling fixture took another turn with 15 minutes remaining when skipper Kyle Hamid was sent-off for what can only be described as an excellent tackle.
The ball was won, it was one-footed and at ground level. For a second, it looked as though the referee wasn’t even going to give a foul, and the whole ground was stunned when he eventually blew his whistle and produced a red card.
It appeared very harsh on the Linnets captain, just like the dismissal had been tough on the Millers’ man in the first half.
Potter had a few half chances to no avail as the Linnets refocused on trying to win the match. There was no lack of effort but there was an absence of quality with passes going astray and chances being snatched at.
It looked certain that the winning goal had arrived in stoppage time, Wellstead drawing a magnificent save from the home goalkeeper after getting in on goal and shooting high and hard.
There was a feeling of disbelief when a fingertip from Martin turned the ball around the target and secured the Millers a huge point in their fight to remain in the division.
There was still time for another red card, the fourth in total, this time for Chris Lawton who was given his marching orders for a second booking.
That the match official could find it necessary to show four red cards and numerous yellows in a very competitively-fought game of very little bad blood was something of a surprise.
There will not be many in the Linnets camp who do not feel that this was the most disappointing result of the season for the club. The dejection on the faces of every member of the playing and coaching squad at full-time made it clear that they knew that this was two points dropped from a great height.