BETVICTOR NORTHERN PREMIER NORTH WEST DIVISION
LINNETS travelled to Bootle seeking to start the year by extending their unbeaten run to seven, against City of Liverpool.
They did so with as assured a performance as they have put together this season, in a fast paced game that rarely let up.
It started quickly, and loose passing prevented any patterns of possession emerging early on.
Balls into the City penalty area caused a couple of bouts of head-tennis, unlikely to trouble the height advantage of centrebacks Anthony Brown and especially James McCarten.
As the first half neared its conclusion, the hard-working Louis Corrigan was repeatedly finding Connor McCarthy in threatening positions.
It was no surprise that the early exchanges of the second half were scrappy.
On 50 minutes, a great ball by Corrigan from the left to Ally Brown on the right looked increasingly dangerous when Ally’s marker fell over, but the right-back crossed too hard and it ricocheted off his namesake Anthony before it could reach Caddick in the centre.
More crosses came in from both sides, but were intercepted.
It wasn’t one-way. COLFC were getting forward with Denson and Jeffries on the right and Devine and Hazlehurst from the left, but the Runcorn defence was organised, calm and marking tight, severely limiting attempts on goal.
After a foul by Hamid on Hazlehurst, the free-kick was slammed straight into the wall.
Another from deeper on the left was launched into the area for an aerial attack, but Emery was fouled in the process.
But Runcorn were showing attacking intent based more on balls to feet than in the air, and as City of Liverpool attempted to move forward in numbers, their visitors looked increasingly dangerouson the break.
Derek Greenwood’s decisive moment came just short of the hour. McCarthy’s cross from the left was blocked for a corner. Corrigan fired it in towards the near post and despite having the shirt ripped from his back Liam Caddick headed home precisely from four yards out. Another five minutes followed of end-to-end advances thwarted by defensive efficiency, until the three-man move of the match was to prove conclusive.
Louis Hayes found McCarthy in the centre circle, and with his back to goal he slipped the ball behind him to his right, for Caddick to run on to.
He charged towards the area with defenders closing from both sides and ‘keeper Aspinall coming out to close him down.
Just beyond the 18-yard line, he timed a delicate chip perfectly to find the empty net.
A comprehensive defensive display by the Runcorn back four and, as ever, a tireless Kyle Hamid, left Michael Emery with very few scary moments.