Runcorn’s quest to go up boosted with win
MOSSLEY HILL II ...................................... 2 RUNCORN I ................................................ 5 FTER a couple of solid performances, Runcorn Hockey Club men’s first-team made a short trip over the Runcorn Bridge to play mid-table Merseyside rivals Mossley Hill.
Earlier in the season when these teams went into battle, it ended in a tight draw but the travelling outfit wanted to continue their winning ways in their push for promotion.
Both sides made quiet starts as they looked to take control and gain the upper hand.
There wasn’t much goal action in the opening exchanges, but as for the last few weekends it was Runcorn who took an early lead.
From a sideline hit, right-back Jonathan Corke found midfielder Kev Mault in space. He then cushioned a pass to forward Pete Jones.
As Jones turned, his fellow forward Ruan Pretoruis had run behind the last defender. Put clean through, Pretorius drew the Mossley Hill goalkeeper, rounded him and scored with his tried and tested reserve-stick shot.
The Merseysiders looked to get back into the match as quickly as possible but Runcorn maintained their shape well and ensured space to play was kept to a minimum.
As the game continued both teams struggled to create clear openings but when the home side were caught short at the back, Mossley Hill’s goalkeeper was on hand to deny another goal.
But just when it appeared Runcorn were in control, Mossley Hill drew level.
After a couple of failed clearances the ball was trapped under Runcorn goalkeeper Roger Watt.
With sticks flying in from both teams, the ball came loose and Mossley Hill’s winger was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from barely inches out.
Not feeling too downhearted, Runcorn carried on battling away, exploiting any open space with winger Scott Crimes
A● coming increasingly into the match down the right flank.
With chances at a premium, Runcorn looked dangerous on penalty corners and had been denied on a couple of occasions.
Finally, though, they struck home to re-take the lead.
Jones aimed to fire an effort goalwards but miss-hit his shot. This caused some confusion which allowed midfielder Allan Watt to reserve-stick the ball into the Mossley Hill goal.
With a lead at half-time and the way Runcorn were playing it was a case of them continuing what they were doing and eventually they would increase their advantage.
Mossley Hill came out strongly and put pressure on the visitors but they continued to find a strong defensive wall.
Midway through the second half and still no change in the score, both teams were giving everything – but when the next goal arrived, it was Runcorn who got it.
With space slowly appearing in mid- field the ball was fired into Jones in the penalty circle. With runners arriving, Jones cushioned the ball back for teammate Crimes to first time slap it into the home side’s net.
With plenty of time still left on the clock, Mossley Hill came at Runcorn again looking for a reply.
After a few failed short corner routines, they went for simplicity.
After earning another short corner Mossley Hill’s creative midfielder went for a powerful strike at the top of the circle that flew past Roger Watt into the bottom corner of the Runcorn net.
When the home outfit gained another penalty corner, it was a surprise to the visitors when the Merseysiders went to a passing move that ended up with the ball going harmlessly out of play.
As the match went into the final 10 minutes and with the result still up for grabs, Mossley Hill pushed forward but this allowed the visitors to use their pace to get behind and gain a penalty corner.
After a few failed attempts in the first half, Runcorn finally struck.
Joe Cooper superbly deflected the pass at the far post after he was well found by Jones.
As the ball hit the backboard you could see the home team’s spirits drop as the points were gone.
With a few minutes left, Runcorn completed the scoring. With lots of space to exploit from a defensive hit by Christian White, the ball by-passed most of the home team. After a few quick sharp passes, winger Cooper had a clear run down the right flank. With lots of attacking players in the penalty circle, Cooper’s pass found Crimes to claim his second goal and seal a win for Runcorn.
Player-of-the-match honours went to centre-back Christian White who superbly marshalled Runcorn’s defence through the whole match and started several quick attacks.
With teams around Runcorn dropping points they took a significant step closer to promotion and will look to make another big move this Saturday as fourth-placed Sandbach travel to The Heath Comprehensive.