Reed books three more points for 10-man Town
RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 1 ABBEY HEY ................................................ 0
AMISSED penalty in the sixth minute set the tone for a disjointed performance against the visitors from Manchester, which was settled by a second-half strike from Mark Reed.
A late tackle on Obi Anoura by Lee Wilshaw resulted in the spot kick – the usually reliable Paul McManus had his penalty brilliantly saved by Abbey keeper Ross Heywood, and then fired the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.
The same player did well at the other end to cut out a precise ball by Peter Watling that would have put Adam Farrand through on goal.
When the lively Anoura fed the ball to Mark Reed, his shot flew high over Heywood’s crossbar.
Runcorn continued to have a lot of the ball, with Joe Holt heavily involved in the middle of the park.
Mike Carberry broke down the left and when he crossed, Paul McManus unleashed a fierce goalbound volley that hit Luke Gibson before rebounding to safety.
Heywood made two saves to deny Anoura and Reed in quick succession, before Runcorn went down to 10 men in the 34th minute. Harry Brazel ae made ade a rash challenge for a loose ball and immediately held his hands up to apologise, but Dan Hitchell showed him a straight red card.
Two quick yellow cards followed for Abbey Hey for what were no more than clumsy challenges, first by Adam Farrand on Anoura and then by Rob Swallow on Joe Holt.
With the advantage of an extra man, Abbey Hey began to put pressure on the Runcorn defence. Peter Watling produced some excellent ball control to create an opening for Ashford Blake who struck a tremendous shot from 25 yards that brought a full length save from Adam Reid to ensure the sides went in all square at the break.
Chris Herbert’s half-time adjustments to the formation brought a much better second half performance from Runcorn.
New signings Anoura and Jamie Menagh showed strongly and grew as the game progressed.
The goal came in the 47th minute when Reed picked the ball up on the edge of the Abbey penalty area. With no apparent support and faced with the Abbey back four, he curled a precise shot into the top corner to give Ross Heywood no chance.
Anoura then played a good ball into McManus but poor control let the play- ● maker down this time.
Anoura then teed up the ball, again for McManus, who this time hit a thunderous volley that came back off Lee Wilshaw.
It was hard at this point to believe that Runcorn only had 10 men, and when a corner from Jamie Menagh found Anoura on the back post, his header took a goalline clearance by Matty Cook to deny him his first goal for the club.
Runcorn had an escape when a short back header from Marcus James to Adam Reid gave Watling a half chance but the Runcorn keeper bravely blocked the ball ● at the feet of the Abbey Hey striker.
A shot on the turn by Anoura brought a good save from Heywood, the ball falling straight to Menagh who struck a volley that brought another save from the keeper.
Carberry was causing problems down the left for Runcorn and Heywood did well to punch his dangerous cross away with Reed waiting for any loose ball.
When Carberry rounded the full-back, his ball to Kevin Exell produced a shot that flew inches wide of the post.
Exell broke through on the left and tried to beat Heywood at his near post, but the keeper read his intentions and poked the ball for another corner.
Still Runcorn pressed – Reed played the ball in to the path of Holt who struck a powerful low shot just wide.
With time running out, a late assault on the Runcorn goal by Abbey Hey was well dealt with by the defence, marshalled by captain Simon Thelwell. In the final seconds of added-on time, Holt conceded a free-kick and Abbey keeper Heywood was thrown forward into the crowded penalty area – but the Runcorn defence stood firm as the final whistle went.