It’s formula win
MANAGER Chris Herbert reckons his side are “playing the percentages” again after Runcorn Town recorded their sixth win in eight games this week.
Town, who are unbeaten in those eight, drew with Charnock Richard last Saturday before defeating Hanley Town 2-1 on Monday evening.
Goals from Craig Cairns and Mark Reed gave Herbert’s side the victory, and he hit back at critics who look down on the style of football being offered at Pavilions.
“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing. A lot of people say we’re rubbish because of the way we play, but it wins games.
“The higher up you go in the divisions, it’s how the game is played. Football isn’t just about getting the ball down and playing with it constantly – look at Liverpool midweek [when the Reds ● beat Roma 5-2.]
“How often did they try and play football? It wasn’t very often.
“You do what it takes to win the game of football and that’s what we’re doing at the minute.”
Runcorn opened the season with a 17-game unbeaten stretch – which set a new Hallmark Security Premier Division record – and the manager says changing their formula resulted in a sticky spell over the winter period.”
“When we went on that run at the start of the season and broke the record, it’s how we played then. It’s percentage football.
“That’s how we like to play, and when you play to the percentages it’s a fact that it works. It’s when you start changing your plans, that’s when things go wrong.
“We’ve done that a little bit and we’ve had to regroup and go again.”
Herbert’s side are now level on points with Widnes FC with five games remaining as they do battle for the second promotion spot, with Runcorn Linnets looking to have wrapped up the title.
The manager says promotion is a priority for the club after becoming unhappy with the organisation of the current setup.
“It’s the League that’s the problem,” Herbert said. “No-one wants to play here. “Because of fixtures and how easy it is to get games off, it’s difficult to do well.”
Town have a busy schedule ahead of them with three games in the next six days. They play host to AFC Darwen tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) before a visit to Ashton Athletic on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm). And next Tuesday evening they travel to Northwich Victoria (kick-off 7.45pm).