Runcorn ensure place in top-three with win
RUNCORN MEN’S I ................................... 3 SANDBACH MEN’S I ................................. 2
ON an overcast Saturday afternoon, Runcorn Hockey Club men’s first-team welcomed their counterparts from Sandbach to The Heath Comprehensive.
With the home side performing well in the division, the result was perhaps more important to the visitors after a couple of defeats had dealt setbacks their own promotion push.
Despite their undefeated run, Runcorn actually went into the match a little low after an unfortunate injury during the week to goalkeeper Roger Watt ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Sensing the uncertainty, it was Sandbach who started the strongest moving the ball about and giving Runcorn no chance of escape. The ball continued to be retrieved meaning more pressure on the home side’s rearguard.
Sandbach were on top but they did not create any clear openings. However, when they finally scored it was down to a defensive error.
After another Sandbach attack was defused by left-back Jon Garfield in the penalty circle, with time to clear the ball to safety he tried to be smart and inadvertently lost possession.
With the ball still in the Runcorn penalty circle, it found its way to Sandbach’s centre-forward who fired the ball into the bottom corner via goalkeeper Ray Garner’s leg.
Now facing an uphill task Runcorn tried to find the space to create chances to get back into the match.
Sandbach showed tremendous defensive qualities, but Runcorn kept up the pressure.
After a couple of overlapping runs from defensive midfielder Mike Wakefield which nearly gave Runcorn the chance they needed, Sandbach started to question their own tactics.
As the visitors backed off, Runcorn started to come increasingly into the contest but were denied by some smart saves from Sandbach’s goalkeeper.
But just when the home team thought that it was not going to be their day, they ● drew level after a rare mistake from Sandbach’s defence.
From a quick attack Runcorn charged forward, but when a pass was played out to forward Pete Jones, it was easily read by a covering Sandbach defender.
Thinking the chance had gone, the defender momentarily took his eye of the ball and missed it letting Jones gain possession and drive towards the penalty circle.
With a two-on-one situation, the ball went to Runcorn man Ruan Pretorius who slightly drew the Sandbach goalkeeper before firing across the goal into the opposite corner he was travelling.
With the encounter all-square at halftime, Runcorn had not really helped themselves in the opening half and needed to increase the tempo.
Once again it was the visitors who started the strongest but Runcorn stood firmer with Christian White leading by example with another impressive performance at centre-back.
What was noticeable was that Runcorn were winning more of the key challenges and this led to the game’s next goal.
From a sideline hit, right-back Jonathan Corke sent the ball high and long down the line. As a Sandbach defender looked to collect the ball, he misread its flight to allow Jones to run clear.
As in the first half it was a two-on-one situation and Pretorius was on hand to sweep the ball into the Sandbach net from close-range.
Now leading, centre-midfielder Allan Watt started to superbly control the play with the able assistance of fellow midfielder Kevin Mault.
As time went on the next goal would have a huge effect on the outcome.
Both goalkeepers were called into action to deny any changes in the scoreline with Runcorn man Garner calling on his vast experience at the right times.
As the encounter entered the final 10 minutes it was the home side who extended their lead.
With Sandbach pushing forward it left acres of space for Runcorn to exploit, and when Pretorius turned his marker he had an angled run into the penalty circle.
Looking to complete his hat-trick he ignored the runners and went to shoot off his reserve stick.
But luck favoured the brave and his miss-hit strike fell kindly to right winger Mike French to knock the ball into an unguarded goal.
It was now a case of Runcorn managing the remaining minutes to see the game out.
There was to be another late twist, however, with only four minutes to go.
From a defensive free-hit Runcorn lost the ball allowing unnecessary pressure.
As Runcorn scrambled to cover the attack, the ball was pushed out wide but with the danger not over a cross was sent in. In a desperate attempt to intercept the ball, a couple of Runcorn players went for it at the same time only to deflect it straight to the visitors’ left winger to score through the legs of Garner at the back post.
Sandbach had to throw everything at Runcorn but the home team used their skill and experience to defuse the situation and run the clock down to claim another win.
At the final whistle the defeat meant Sandbach’s slim chance of promotion are over while Runcorn are now guaranteed a minimum of a top-three finish.
Player-of-the-match honours went to Ruan Pretorius for his clinical finishing in such a close encounter.
This Saturday, Runcorn make the trip over to the Wirral peninsula as they take on Oxton. It’s a game that both teams require points – though for different reasons at both ends of the table. ●