Trio of goals secures all three points in sound all-round showing
RUNCORN Town picked up a very valuable three points against Whitchurch Alport in what was a good solid allround performance on January 4.
Paul McManus made three changes, bringing himself, Owen Dursley and Stephen Wainwright back into the starting eleven, and Craig Cairns was on the substitutes bench after recovering from the injury sustained against Padiham early in the season.
The early part of the first half started slowly with neither side getting anything from midfield.
Runcorn did have a corner in the 10th minute of the game taken from the right by Kieran Holsgrove, the ball pinging round the box, but McManus miscued the pass, which was going towards Kieran Holsgrove, and it went out for a goal kick instead.
There was a slight chance for Runcorn to open the scoring in the 13th minute as Shaun Weaver looked up and chipped the ball forward in the path of Kieran Holsgrove, however this was intercepted by Nicholas Porter and Whitchurch made the clearance.
Runcorn could have opened the scorebook after just 15 minutes of the game, Kieran Holsgrove put a brilliant cross into the box from the left but Dave Forbes volleyed the ball over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
During the 21st minute Kieran Holsgrove had a shot, which went narrowly past the left post and out for a goal kick.
Joe Cuff had put a couple of dangerous crosses into the danger area during the 23rd minute, however both of these amounted to nothing and the Town defenders were able to make the clearance.
Runcorn had another chance in the 27th minute as Kieran Holsgrove had taken a corner from the left. This was partially cleared and crossed back into the area, but Declan McGivern’s header was just wide of the left post.
Another chance came and went for Town five minutes later after a mistake from Darren Campion, and Forbes got the loose ball and tried to take it round Owen Skelton but when he had his shot the angle was too tight and the ball went across goal and out for a goal kick.
In the 35th minute, Runcorn were passing the ball well.
Following a superb move Kevin Exell had a shot from the edge of the area, but this went over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
The deadlock was broken during the 37th minute. Kevin Exell put a great cross from the left into the 18-yard box towards Forbes who had his back to the goal and then turned and fired the ball in the roof of the net.
McManus had a wild shot from distance during the 41st minute, but this did not trouble Owen Skelton as it went high over the crossbar.
Town then doubled the lead right on half time and it was Forbes who again retrieved the ball after a slip by Darren Campion and went on a run past the last defender, slotting the ball past Owen Skelton in the bottom right corner.
The first chance of the second half came during the 49th minute. Shaun Weaver had a shot from the edge of the area, but it well over the bar.
Runcorn were awarded a free kick during the 57th minute. This was crossed into the area and Kevin Exell headed the ball towards the goal, but Owen Skelton made a good save, Runcorn Town were awarded a corner from the right, which Kieran Holsgrove curled into the six-yard box, the ball was cleared for another corner which was taken from the left but this amounted to nothing and Whitchurch cleared.
Forbes had a chance to claim his hat-trick two minutes later as he was through on goal after a defensive mistake from Darren Campion, but the final shot went well over the crossbar.
In the 60th minute, Whitchurch made a treble substitution with David Hawath, Sam Philips and
Sean Griffiths being replaced by Alex Hughes, Blake Robinson and Stephen Jones.
Joe Cuff was given a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Exell in the 64th minute.
There was another chance from Runcorn which came during the 65th minute from Holt, which was deflected wide of the left side of the goal. Runcorn Town were awarded a corner, which was once again taken by Kieran Holsgrove and hit towards Forbes in the middle who miskicked the shot. That came out to Kieran Holsgrove who crossed the ball back into the danger area, but the Whitchurch defenders made the clearance.
Whitchurch had a chance to get back into the game during the 68th minute with substitute Alex Hughes having a shot on goal, but fortunately this was deflected to the hands of Adam Reid who was able to react quickly and collect the ball.
In the 72nd minute Whitchurch were awarded a free kick, taken by Joe Cuff from the right and crossed into the box, but the header from Stephen Jones was collected by Adam Reid.
Another chance for
Whitchurch came just three minutes later as Cuff had a shot from edge of the area, which was saved by Adam Reid diving to the right to preserve the clean sheet.
The game should have been put to bed during the 79th minute as substitute Deklan Hill had a shot from the edge of the area. It was deflected for a corner which was taken by Kieran Holsgrove towards Hill, whose shot went over the crossbar.
The game was wrapped up during the 89th minute. Kieran Holsgrove crossed the ball into the edge of the area and Deklan Hill had the space and time to slot the ball into right corner of the goal.
Runcorn made the third and final substitution with Liam Ward coming on for Kevin Exell.
Aidan Roxburgh could have made it four during injury time as he was through on goal and tried to lob the ball over Owen Skelton, but he could not get enough on it and the two players collided.
Once both players received treatment the referee, Mr Lamb restarted the match and then immediately brought the game to a close, which gave Runcorn Town a deserved 3-0 victory and three very welcome points.
WHITCHURCH ALPORT ......... 0 RUNCORN TOWN ..................... 3