Town are now record-breakers
IT was another hugely successful week for Runcorn Town as they recorded a record-breaking 4-2 victory over Winsford United on Monday evening.
The win was the club’s 13th consecutive league victory dating back to last season and set a new record, beating the run of 12 games previously set in 2007 and 2012. Town have won all 11 of their league games this season and with a quarter of the season already gone, they sit comfortably at the top of the table with a maximum haul of 33 points already safely in the bag.
Despite cruising to yet another victory, manager Chris Herbert did admit his team had a scare in the second half as a lack of concentration and a bit of complacency threatened to ruin Runcorn’s night.
Town held a commanding three-goal lead at the half-time break but two goals in quick succession from Winsford shortly after the restart put pressure on Herbert’s men.
“We started the game like a house on fire and blew them away. We were 3-0 up at half-time and were absolutely cruising,” said Herbert.
“Then it was like a different team had come out after halftime. They put us on the back foot for 20-25 minutes and played some really good football.
“The best side won in the end, there is no doubt about that but we made life hard for ourselves in that second half.
“We were plain sailing at halftime but we just got it wrong in the second half. We got complacent and the players thought the game had already been won.”
After such a strong start to the season, Herbert was understandably delighted with how his team have performed so far. ●
He praised his side’s attacking threat but urged Runcorn to keep pushing hard and not to become complacent.
Continued the boss: “We know we have strikers who will score goals for us in every game. Teams are setting up differently to try and combat it too.
“It’s good for us because it’s not working for them and we are still scoring the goals. It is a credit to the players that teams feel they have to change the way they play.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement to go that long without losing a game.
“I think I only went seven or eight games unbeaten as a player. It’s some going and the lads deserve all the credit they have got.
“We got Club of the Month too. We’re a quarter of the way through the season so for us to have got maximum points so far is just fantastic.
“We have to be able to keep going. It’s a tough league and every game is difficult.
“We were five points ahead at Christmas last season and we didn’t manage to keep it up.
“If we have lots of games off like we did last season then we will be in for a tough time as we will have to play catch-up again.
“We need to keep the run going as long as we can and hope to avoid that.”
As Herbert alludes to the fall of last season, he insists his side have learnt from that experience and will go into the Christmas break with more ruthlessness about them this time around.
He believes he has a hardworking squad and thinks that is a vital trait to have in order to win league titles.
“In that situation on Monday night, when Winsford got the two goals, we may have given an extra goal away and maybe given a way a draw last season but now the lads will push on to the very end,” said Herbert.
“All of the players are all willing to work for each other. That’s big in football and that is what’s happening at the moment. It is key we continue to do that.
“We had a few injuries on Monday night but every player was willing to work hard and fight. Chris Rimmer and Andy Metcalf were both away but that didn’t stop the lads.
“The players have been digging in. There’s a long way to go yet though so they need to keep up this run.”
Runcorn Town’s next game is away to AFC Darwen on Saturday and Herbert is expecting a tough game.
The two teams went head-tohead in the FA Cup earlier this season, with Town coming away victorious, but Herbert knows Darwen are well organised.
“We played Darwen in the FA Cup this season so we know a little bit about the way they play,” said Herbert.
“They are a decent side and they are well organised. They can cause upsets. They are always strong at their place too.
“We just need to go there with the right mind-set and keep playing the way we have been.
“It will be tough but we have enough quality.
“I’m hoping to have everyone back for the first time this season too so when we have everyone we will be even stronger.”
Following Saturday’s visit to the WEC Group Anchor Ground (kick-off 3pm), Runcorn travel to City of Liverpool FC next Tuesday evening. The match at the TDP Solicitors Stadium kicks-off at 7.45pm. RUNCORN LINNETS extended their unbeaten run to seven games following another impressive performance against Squires Gate on Saturday.
Michael Ellison’s side cruised to a 5-0 victory and the manager believes it could have been much more.
Linnets currently sit in second place in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table and despite conceding a few sloppy goals in previous games Saturday’s scoreline resulted in their second successive clean sheet. Ellison believes Linnets have had an “OK” start to the season and he hopes his side can continue to improve as the games continue to arrive.
“It was a good result for us. It is never an easy place to go and we have always had a tough time there over the years,” said Ellison.
“Whatever position the team are in, every game in this league is tough. It could have been double the scoreline for us, though.
“Keeping a clean sheet again is a big thing going forward and the lads defended really well so I’m happy about that. We are always going to score the other end so it’s about keeping it tight at the back and we have done that recently.
“We have done OK so far. Sometimes we have to give credit to the other teams but it has been a good start. We have had a few injuries so we our squad has certainly been tested but it has been better than last year. We’re currently sitting second in the league so we’re in a good position and we just need to keep it up now.”
Linnets travel to 1874 Northwich on Saturday for their next league match (kick-off 3pm) and Ellison admitted the squad could be without a number of injured players yet again.
He is expecting a tough game but hopes his side have enough quality to get another victory and match their display from last weekend.
“We lost Callum Lucy again on Saturday and he might be out again this weekend,” said Ellison.
“Antony Hickey, Keiran Nolan, Adam Morning – these players are all still out too and they are important players for us.
“It is part and parcel of football but we just have to get on with it. Hopefully the following Saturday we could get some players back.
“Northwich will be tough, they are a good side. I watched them in the FA Cup this week and they played well. We know it will always be a hard game. It’s a game we will look forward to and we will just try to impose our game on them in the best way we can. Hopefully we can get another comfortable 5-0 win! That would be nice.”
Linnets have a midweek game next Wednesday night when they visit Hanley Town (kick-off 7.45pm). ●