Hot Currie and Roan aid thirds

Runcorn III 2 Llandudno II 0 RUNCORN Hockey Club’s men’s third-team achieved a difficult victory in this bottom of the table clash against Llandudno seconds.

With both teams fielding weakened sides, this was not expected to be easy playing or watching.

However, Runcorn started really brightly, picking up from last week’s excellent performance when they triumphed 5-1 at Denbigh’s second-string.

There was some good movement and passing and soon the first goal came when a Robert Mault shot was eased into the visitors’ net by Steve Currie.

The home side continued to press and on their first penalty corner, Currie was on hand again to deflect Ian Townley’s shot home.

Further penalty corners emphasised Runcorn’s dominance, but these were not converted.

Towards the end of the first half, the Welsh outfit came into the game and play was more even.

However, Runcorn led 2-0 at half-time, and looked forward to adding further goals in the second period.

The game changed completely in the second half with the visitors prepared to push forward more and they were soon causing the Runcorn rearguard problems.

Taking charge of the midfield, Llandudno completely outplayed the home side and were unlucky not to score.

With little possession and territory after the interval, Runcorn fought very hard to keep the clean sheet and at the final whistle were relieved to have achieved this aim.

A genuine ‘game of two halves’ saw Mault and Currie playing well in the opening period but both were starved of opportunities in the second.

Veteran Rob Roan in defence was the pick of the Runcorn players overall.