Witton cut Town cup run short
RUNCORN TOWN 0 WITTON ALBION 2 RUNCORN went out of the Cheshire Senior Cup to their Evo-Stik League neighbours.
Runcorn were unfortunate early on in a goalless first half when a superb ball from Jones was cut out by Wilson to deny Holt a clear run on goal.
A cross from Holt to Thelwell was cut out by the alertness of Witton keeper Nield before Thelwell and Holt combined well to put Reed through on goal.
With Nield advancing, the striker struck his shot early but it went just wide of the far post.
The game was being played at a quick tempo with good football displayed by both sides.
Thelwell crossed from the right to find Holt who headed goalwards but a foul by Reed ended the attack, then when Runcorn’s Evans played the ball to Jones the playmaker created a clear opening for Thelwell, but the Runcorn captain blasted the ball high over the crossbar from 18 yards.
A corner from McManus forced Neild to clear hurriedly under pressure from Thelwell, and the ball fell for Jones who volleyed wide of the target.
The missed chances cost Runcorn as they couldn’t hold on to their momentum in the second period.
Witton almost took the lead early in the second half when, from Jones’ cross, Owens headed the ball against the underside of the crossbar, Metcalf recovering well to catch the rebound.
Witton did eventually take the lead in the 67th minute.
Evans broke down the left wing and crossed to James Foley who was clear at the far post, the striker not missing the target from just six yards.
Metcalf produced a good save to deny Owens as Witton pressed forward looking for a second goal.
Runcorn were always dangerous however, and when McManus crossed a free-kick it was met by Jarrett who headed goalwards – but the ball was scrambled to safety by Eves.
Witton sealed victory in the 88th minute when Steve Tames raced clear, cutting inside before firing the ball across Metcalf into the far bottom corner. ● ● BARNTON ................................................... 1 RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 4
APULLED groin to keeper Andy Metcalf during the warm-up caused a major problem for Runcorn manager Chris Herbert, forcing him to switch striker Simon Thelwell into an emergency goalkeeping position.
But that was about as bad as it got for the Town boss as his side swept to a 12th win in their first 13 Hallmark Security Premier Division games.
Herbert also took the opportunity to introduce recent new signing Tom Crawford into his midfield for the local derby, which Town started in typically threatening mode.
When Craig Cairns headed the ball on it fell to Mark Reed who brought a tip over the bar from the Barnton keeper Cooke. Thelwell then did well, going down to his left post to hold a shot from Bandell.
Carberry fed the ball to Evans whose cross found Cairns, but another good save from the keeper thwarted the Runcorn striker.
Barnton then took the lead in the 19th minute, as Runcorn’s defence struggled to clear l the h ball b ll and dh when it i eventually ll fell to Chris Smith he picked his spot from 18 yards.
Runcorn replied in the 23rd minute when an Evans inswinging cross found Cairns who delicately lifted the ball over Barnton keeper Cooke as he advanced.
Runcorn then took the lead in the 25th minute as a superb 30-yard ball from Crawford split the home defence for Joe Holt to hammer the ball across the keeper into the far bottom corner.
When Wh Evans E crossed d to Reed Rdh the keeper did well to tip the ball off the head of the Runcorn striker.
In the second half, an early chance to Barnton saw Mannion beating Thelwell to the ball but only finding the side netting.
Malone was halted by a superb tackle from McManus before Barnton were reduced to 10 men when Stafford was shown a red card for a foul the referee deemed dangerous.
It didn’t stop Barnton creating a double opening on the hour, as Malone beat Jarrett on the edge of the area but his shot crashed against the upright with Thelwell stranded.
The ball fell to Smith who hit the other post, allowing Runcorn time to clear the loose ball. When the ball was cleared Holt broke clear only to be brought down in the penalty area.
Paul McManus hammered the spotkick home in the 71st minute to increase Runcorn’s lead and make the game safe.
However, chances continued to come Runcorn’s way as the 10 men folded.
A cross from Carberry found Crawford w who headed wide of the target.
Cairns broke through only to bring a good save from Cooke low down to his left post.
Then when Reed and Holt linked up they created a clear opening for Crawford who somehow hit the ball wide of an open goal.
Maguire produced a cross that Reed could not connect with but the Runcorn striker finally got on the scoresheet with a diving header from Cairns’ cross in the final minute.