FOOTBALLROUND-UP Plenty of positives despite another loss
A first Runcorn attack for a while saw Aley’s free-kick from deep headed on by Ben Wharton to Craig Lindfield, but his shot didn’t have the power.
Back at the other end, Kris Holt bravely got his head in the way of a rocket from Arran Wearmouth. Round had the chance to follow up from close range, but Reed’s great recovering save proved unnecessary when an offside flag was raised.
Marske were achieving the lion’s share of possession through the middle of the first half, but Runcorn defensive cover was close and hardworking, limiting serious opportunities, and Linnets also threatened on the break.
Pressure resumed on Scott Reed’s goal and a six-touch move by Smith, Round, Butterworth and Gott looked ominous until it was interrupted by a great tackle from Lycett, Sherlock clearing long.
Then a speculative but dangerous shot from wide left by Jack Blackford appeared to be tipped over by Reed, but the resulting goal-kick suggested he had just had it covered.
An air of inevitablity loomed, and when a clearance fell short to Butterworth, his shot deflected off Lindfield’s
attempted block and sent Reed the wrong way to level at 1-1.
Before half-time, Runcorn came back with their most concerted spell of opportunities so far. Gibson overlapped Lindfield on the left, and might have been best placed for a return pass, but Craig cut inside to shoot a couple of yards wide.
Wearmouth’s trip on Gibson made a Lindfield free-kick the last action of the half, setting up a powerful Aley shot which was expertly blocked by Butterworth.
Marske resumed on the offensive, with Linnets attacking on the break chiefly through Kurt Sherlock.
He was a hive of industry and intent until he was replaced for the last 20 minutes by Liam Caddick, having had limited game time in recent months.
Butterworth was busy, and when Peter Wylie pulled him back on halfway he received the game’s first yellow card.
Ben Wharton had a chance on the break just outside the 18-yard line, but an awkward bounce prevented what might have been a half-volley as spectacular as Lycett’s opener.
Ben Kerr was subbed by Louis Hayes amid a spell of Linnets gaining possession but passes being pounced on by the Marske midfield.
On 66 minutes, a game of pinball in the Runcorn box ended when Lycett cleared once more. On the break, a Sherlock pass from the right found Gibson. He prodded it through the ’keeper’s legs, but Norton was able to turn sharply and drop on to the ball.
The Marske attacks continued, and 12 minutes remained when they took the lead. With Gott and Round finding space for a shot on goal, Reed parried it, but O’Sullivan was on hand to tap in from a yard out.
Linnets fought back, and Gibson was on the charge when the Marske scorer felled him from behind without hope or intention of getting to the ball. He received a yellow card for the kind of deliberate foul that has often warranted a red.
Three minutes later, the red card did appear. Wylie bundled Wearmouth to the ground to prevent another attack.
● The BetVictor Northern Premier League has indefinitely suspended all senior and Academy fixtures because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.