Runcorn claim the silverware
RUNCORN MEN’S I ...........................4 CHESTER MEN’S IV..........................3 AFTER such a successful season Runcorn Hockey Club men’s firstteam came into their last league game at The Heath School feeling pressure for the first time due to its sudden importance.
With Runcorn concentrating on securing promotion over the last few months winning the title was in the far distance.
But due to surprising results for Knutsford their lead was not only cut down but they were overtaken and now relying on third-placed Chester to help them out.
Chester opened the scoring via their left winger who ran in behind and applied a delicate touch right in front of goalkeeper Andy Townley to send the ball into the net.
Soon Runcorn started to dominate and drew level. As forward Pete Jones turned he looked for Ruan Pretorius. As the ball entered the penalty circle it hit a Chester defender’s leg. But just as Runcorn appealed, the umpire played a great advantage as Ben Cooper collected the ball and powered a shot right into the bottom corner.
Runcorn took the lead in the second half, when, after a few quick passes, the ball arrived to Pretorius in the penalty circle. As he tried to create an angle he noticed Kev Mault free at the top of the circle and laid the ball back. With time to compose himself Mault fired in his first goal of the season.
Runcorn soon made it 3-1. With midfielder Allan Watt coming more into the play he sent a pass forward that took a deflection. The ball went up into the air and was brought down by Ben Cooper in a more ● front row, from left) advanced role. He swiftly turned his marker and placed the ball under the body of the Chester goalkeeper.
Not long after, Ben Cooper was back in the action to complete his hat-trick with a composed finish from close-range.
Chester pushed more men forward looking for a consolation goal and Runcorn were working harder to clear their lines. After such a physical and emotional game Runcorn players were starting to feel it all catching up and with five minutes to go Chester pulled a goal back. After gaining a penalty corner Chester unleashed a training ground routine to leave a simple finish in front of Townley.
This goal gave Chester hope and with Runcorn’s players out on their feet they tried to continue to battle but started to make mistakes.
From one error, Chester had better numbers in the home side’s penalty circle and after a few passes the end product led to another goal from another fine touch.
With panic showing on the Runcorn faces it was a case of taking a deep breath and when the re-start was hit down into Chester half, the home side’s players heard the whistle that they wanted the most to confirm the win and the league title.
Player-of-the-match went to leftback Jon Garfield for a solid display of tackling and providing the platform for Runcorn to claw their way back into the game.
Post-match Runcorn captain Mike Wakefield said: “Today is a proud moment for everyone.
“To lose the opening two matches of the season and then go on a 20-match unbeaten run is a tremendous achievement. Everyone has given their all in every game. I could not have asked more of my players. We have had a few up and downs over the season but when it was called upon the players stood up to the plate. We have a real squad togetherness and I have had to call on players that didn’t make the squad today and they have not let anyone down especially Corey Kinsella who will be a great player.
“No-one expected to win the league but we just kept on going and when we needed the results to go our way they did. It is a great day for the lads, Runcorn Hockey and Runcorn Sports Club.”