Runcorn endure Park strife in 2018 opener
WINNINGTON PARK II ............................ 4 RUNCORN I ................................................ 0
AFTER the Christmas period Runcorn Hockey Club’s men’s firstteam returned to league hockey for a re-arranged match just down the road at Winnington Park.
After a convincing win earlier in the season for Runcorn against the same opposition, confidence was high.
As the match started it appeared that the home outfit and their playing style was very different to the sides’ previous encounter and Winnington dominated the early exchanges.
As Runcorn struggled to get any foothold in the match Winnington camped in the visitors’ half, not allowing an easy way out. As a result they had to rely on centre-back Andy Pickering for a number of aerial clearances.
When the opening goal arrived there was no surprise it was the home side who struck first as they took advantage of a mistake to score easily.
Despite going a goal behind Runcorn tried to make a mark on the match but struggled to string any form of passing together.
With the visitors finding it difficult to find a way through they had to look at penalty corners to draw level but chance after chance went by with the closest scoring moment coming from a Christian White drag-flick.
The home outfit continued to threaten and when Runcorn’s midfield let one of the Winnington players run through to collect a pass, he laid a ball into the path of his forward who confidently finished at the near post.
Runcorn knew they had to start playing hockey but despite a rallying call during the interval, the home side were full of confidence and continued to dominate with the visitors thankful to goalkeeper Mike Bond who produced a tremendous save with his foot.
The pattern continued for Runcorn as when they did get the chance in the Winnngton penalty circle, they either missed the target or completely missed ● the ball. As much as they tried, Runcorn never looked like getting back into the match and when Winnington gained a penalty corner they extended their lead.
With the sun low in the sky, Runcorn’s defence expected a high drag-flick attempt and when Winnington’s young player set himself he ended up going lower then Bond expected and scored via the goalkeeper’s leg. Runcorn pushed men upfield but this meant Winnington had more space to attack and their younger players started to flourish.
Runcorn nearly scored a consolation goal but forward Pete Jones’s powerful strike was easily saved.
Just as the final whistle approached Winnington completed the scoring. After a brisk attack down the left hand side, a cross was deflected high over the players but was collected by the home side’s attacking midfielder. As he created the space he hit a powerful rising shot on the reverse that found the roof of the net via goalkeeper Bond’s hand.
At full-time, the visitors realised that they were second best in the whole contest and did not deserve anything from the game.
Player of the match for Runcorn went to goalkeeper Mike Bond who produced some great saves despite playing out of position.
On Saturday Runcorn will be looking to stop a run of three defeats as they welcome Oxton to The Heath School.