First-team miss out on Wirral

Bebington II 6

Runcorn I 2 AFTER a convincing win the weekend before against the top of the table, Runcorn Hockey Club’s men’s first-team took to the road for a tricky encounter at Bebington who are chasing promotion.

With the visitors missing a few of their regular players they had to call on the young talent of Jake Fitzsimons and Cameron Challoner who looked to gain valuable experience.

It was the home side who bossed possession but Runcorn showed determination and kept their shape well. As time went on, though, the home outfit got things to click and opened the scoring with an easy finish at the far post.

Runcorn responded well and levelled via Ruan Pretorius after fine work by Christian White.

Soon after, however, White was sin-binned and Bebington took full advantage of the situation to restore their lead with a deflected strike past Runcorn’s debutant goalkeeper Chris Royal.

Bebington made it 3-1 early in the second half with a penalty-stroke.

Three more goals soon followed as the Wirral side took the game well away from Runcorn.

As the game went into the final 10 minutes Runcorn started to attack more with winger Joe Cooper to the fore.

Finally after all their efforts Runcorn claimed a second goal when the rampaging White found winger Joe Cooper and as the goalkeeper approached he crossed to the far post where left-back Ben Cooper was on hand to finish well.

As the final whistle went Runcorn gave as much as they could and will take positives from the match to take forward into the final few games of the season.

Player-of-the-match honours went to forward Pete Jones who produced some strong hold-up play and gave the visitors a platform to attack higher up the pitch.

Despite the defeat, results elsewhere went in Runcorn’s favour meaning their chances of avoiding relegation have been improved.

Runcorn travel to Knutsford on Saturday looking to gain the one victory to confirm their place in the same division next season.