Herbert wants players to show more ‘character’

● CHRIS HERBERT has challenged his players to show more character after their late collapse in the FA Vase last weekend.

Town were leading 3-1 against Guisborough Town thanks to a brace from Ryan Cox and one from Shaun Weaver but the Northern League side hit back with two late goals to take the tie to a replay which was scheduled to take place last night.

Runcorn have also conceded a hatful of goals in league defeats to City of Liverpool, Barnoldswick Town and Bootle, allowing at least four past them in each of the losses.

With his side still second in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division, however, Herbert has expressed his disappointment at the attitude being shown when the going gets tough.

“The problem I’ve got is when we get beat we’ve been beaten good and proper,” he said.

“There’s no inbetween. For me, that shows there’s a lack of character. I put it to the lads the other day that I’m not happy with it. You cannot go into games like that.

“We’ve lost three games – City of Liverpool, Barnoldswick and Bootle. The performance in all three was dire. The lads gave up. I’ve never had that in my sides and I’ve told them if I see anyone doing that for me again they’ll be gone.”

There was also further disappointment for Town this week as popular striker Cox left the club to rejoin Bootle. Cox only arrived at the Viridor Community Stadium from the Bucks in August and scored 11 goals in 12 appearances, including strikes in all of his last six games for the club.

“Ryan wants to go back to Bootle and help his friends there get back on track, and we thank him for his efforts for Runcorn Town,” Herbert said after the striker’s departure.

“We wish him well but players come and go at all clubs and that’s football. It now provides somebody else with the chance to get into the starting XI for us.”

Following last night’s replay at Guisborough, Runcorn are also on their travels this Saturday when they go to Charnock Richard for a match in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

The game at Mossie Park kicks-off at 3pm. Town are without a midweek game next week.

Paul Watson Ryan Cox celebrates one of his two goals for Runcorn Town against Guisborough in the FA Vase last Saturday. The forward left the club this week and has returned to his former team, Bootle.