Runcorn roar back with stroll over Park
RUNCORN I .............................................. 10 WINNINGTON PARK II ............................ 0
AFTER a heavy defeat the weekend before, Runcorn Hockey Club’s men’s first-team returned to their home venue looking for a reaction after the frustration against Oxton.
With local team Winnington Park turning up it was anticipated to be a close tough encounter reflected by previous results over the years.
As the match started it was the visitors who controlled the early exchanges, but Runcorn held their shape and showed discipline to keep Winnington at arm’s length.
As Runcorn slowly came into the game they had the first clear scoring chance but were denied after a fantastic save from Winnington’s goalkeeper.
Not long after, however, the first goal went in. As the ball was played into the penalty circle, forward Christian White collected the pass. With his back to goal he worked some space to fire a shot off. As the ball was going high and wide winger Joe Cooper superbly reacted to deflect it in from high above his head and into the Park net.
Runcorn soon extended their lead as a few quick passes put Ben Cooper clean through. He drew the goalkeeper then squared the ball across to White to tap into an unguarded goal.
As Runcorn continued to dominate, Joe Cooper and Andy Partridge were causing a lot of issues to Winnington down the right wing.
However, Runcorn went a man down as midfielder Scott Crimes was sinbinned for dissent.
Nevertheless, it did not stop Runcorn extending their lead as wide man Joe Cooper finished from close-range after a goalmouth scramble.
As Runcorn returned to a full complement a few minutes later they lost ● another man for 10 minutes as the impressive Gary Looker was sin-binned for illegal use of his foot.
But as before it did not affect Runcorn as during the reduced number they scored again.
After an original strike from a penalty corner was saved, youngster Corey Kinsella collected the ball and as he weighed up his options he fired past the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Minutes later as Runcorn played the ball around the back, right-back Partridge fired the ball up the pitch to the unmarked Ruan Pretoruis. After a few tricks he drove into the penalty circle and dispatched a powerful shot. Not long after Pretorius scored again as forward White provided the assist for the Runcorn forward to find the net.
As the second half started it was a case of Runcorn not getting complacent. They enjoyed the perfect start. From a penalty corner, a drag-flick from Allan Watt was saved by the Winnington goalkeeper. But as the ball dropped into open space, Looker halfvolleyed it into the net.
Runcorn scored again shortly after. Pretorius collected a high pass and as he turned, a tackle came. Ben Cooper collected the ball in the penalty circle, however, and passed to the free White to claim his second goal.
With nothing to lose Winnington Park pushed men forward but Runcorn defended superbly with the returning Ben McKay showing his experience of reading the game with some timely interceptions.
With the visitors aiming to get a consolation goal the outstanding Partridge found more space to scamper into and on one forward run it caused confusion in the visitors’ defence.
Following a huge error, White collected the ball with the goalkeeper out of the picture and played it to winger Mike French who duly netted.
With minutes to go until the final whistle, Runcorn quickly counterattacked and as midfielder Crimes collected the ball he drove towards the penalty circle. With a four-on-two Winnington Park’s defence backed off and as he entered the penalty circle he dispatched a shot into the bottom corner for goal number 10.
As the final whistle went Runcorn faced an overtime penalty corner for the third game running, with a perfect chance for Winnington Park to get on the scoresheet.
Runcorn’s defence, however, easily cleared the ball to give goalkeeper Roger Watt his first clean sheet of the season.
After such an impressive team performance it was a tough decision for the man-of-the-match honour but winger Joe Cooper rightful claimed the accolade after an impressive attacking performance down the right side. ● This Saturday Runcorn take to the road looking to claim their first points of the season away from The Heath School as they travel to play Alderley Edge who in turn will be looking for their first points of the their current campaign.