Linnets bloom late in Vase tie
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RUNCORN LINNETS produced a spectacular lastminute victory over Sunderland RCA in the FA Vase on Tuesday night – despite playing an hour with 10 men after Mitch Bryant’s straight dismissal for an off-the-ball altercation.
After Saturday’s 1-1 draw, tight Vase deadlines meant the game needed to be replayed this week. Linnets made the trip to the North East – as well as a coachload of dedicated fans – and they certainly ensured it was a memorable night at Meadow Park.
Sunderland took the lead through a header from skipper Ross Preston a minute before the interval, and with Linnets reduced to 10 men, it looked set to be an uncomfortable secondperiod for Michael Ellison’s side.
There was a glimmer of hope for Linnets soon after the interval. Mark Houghton was fouled in the area, and Danny O’Brien coolly sent the RCA keeper the wrong way to level up the tie. ●
Runcorn grew into the game as the clock ran down. Ellison’s men showed excellent levels of stamina, were defensively organised, and most importantly, were clinical when it mattered.
Captain Kyle Hamid picked out Kris Holt on the right with minutes left on the clock, and he delivered a fine cross that was snaffled by Houghton, who drilled the ball home to spark wild scenes of celebration. Linnets will host Marske United in the next round early next month.
Meanwhile, it’s not often you see a sympathetic post shared between rivals on social media, but Runcorn Town took to Twit- ter on Tuesday afternoon to bemoan their neighbours’ 340mile round trip to Sunderland RCA in the FA Vase Trophy replay.
Town, posting to Twitter, wrote: “The fact Runcorn Linnets have to travel 340 miles tonight for a game, with possible extra time and penalties, getting back at 3am, is ridiculous.
“The FA really needs to take a look at this replay situation for long distance games. It’s not fair on players or supporters of clubs.”
There is an option in Vase rules that states should both teams agree before the initial tie, replays can be scrapped in favour of an on-the-day result. But with many away sides fancying their chances of progression by subjecting their rivals to a long journey in midweek – which some players may have to miss due to work commitments – this was never likely to be entertained by Sunderland.
The kick-off time on Tuesday was delayed due to Runcorn’s late arrival, but many social media users commended fans and players – most of whom have full-time jobs – who made the long journey to complete a famous comeback and fire their side into the next round.
“Absolute hats off to all the players on making this match. Unreal commitment,” wrote Robert Wilks.
And user Brian Foster believes replays should be scrapped altogether in the competition to avoid gruelling midweek trips.
“To be fair it is time the FA canned replays and made all cup games a result on the day,” he said.
Fans searched for silver linings, however, as one tweet optimistically shared: “The only consolation is that Sunderland do a superb homemade corned beef pie.” EVERY manager in the Hallmark Security League must envy Chris Herbert and his Runcorn Town side right now.
Town sit top of the league, six points clear of second-placed Hanley, after managing to navigate 16 games without defeat this season.
Extraordinarily, the former Flint manager isn’t satisfied. After last weekend’s 2-2 draw with AFC Darwen, in which Town salvaged a point despite going down by two goals at one stage, Herbert has promised to ring the defensive changes in a bid to consolidate their promotion push.
“We didn’t deserve to get back into it,” Herbert admitted.
“The character of the lads is strong, but we’re doing it far too often. It’s only going to be a matter of time before we slip up if we carry on like this. The lads know that, and they know the situation. There’s going to have to be a few changes. We’ll make changes to tighten up because we’re conceding too many.”
Town have conceded 15 goals in their previous seven games, and the manager reckons his side are in desperate need of additional leadership.
In recent matches the manager has had to turn to player-assistant Mark McGregor, who made more than 500 Football League appearances for Wrexham, Burnley and Blackpool, in an attempt to shore up his backline.
“I shouldn’t have to rely on Mark to do that anymore, he’s 40 and although he still loves the game he’s trying to come away from it, but we’re throwing him in to make sure we get the results,” Herbert said.
“That’s when we know we have to change things a little bit. That will happen over the coming weeks. It’s about having people who will say the right thing at the right times during games, and that’s been a problem lately.
“We haven’t been organised, especially defensively, and we’ve had to bring in [Mark] which isn’t ideal, to give a little boost on the pitch and organise.
“We’re always going to score goals, but we’ve conceded far too many for what sort of players we’ve got in the team.
“In Terry McCormick, the goalkeeper we’ve signed, he’s a leader, not just in the goal but on the pitch, and when Mark doesn’t play we seem to be lacking leaders, so he’ll add that to us.”
And the manager hinted at another deal in the works that will allow the club to continue their tangible promotion dreams.
“There’s someone else who we’re hoping to bring in this week as well, so we’ll be a lot stronger in the coming weeks. We’re going to do our business now rather than in January so we can push on.”
Town were last night scheduled to play host to Widnes FC in their latest Premier Division match at Pavilions. They then visit Bootle on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) before entertaining 1874 Northwich next Wednesday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).