Late drama as Cairns grabs point
IRLAM ................................ 2 RUNCORN TOWN ............ 2
RUNCORN Town came back from two goals down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw at Irlam.
There were five changes to the line-up following last weekend’s defeat at Winsford.
Debutant David Thompson, John Shaw, Liam Turner, Kevin Exell and Dale Jennings came in for Joe Blackham, David Edwards, Paul McManus, Frankie Antoine and Craig Cairns.
Irlam started brightly and on three minutes Max Bardsley-Rowe cut the ball back to John Main and his shot on the turn was blocked by Marcus James.
Two minutes later Nick Taylor was allowed space in the centre of the pitch to slide a ball through ball to Max Bardsley-Rowe to finish past Adam Reid.
Irlam threatened again, Bardsley-Rowe found space down right again and cut back to Main who scuffed a shot wide.
On 10 minutes a controversial decision led to a second goal for the hosts. Ethan Cartwright made a driving run towards the box and tried to thread the ball towards BardsleyRowe, but David Thompson intercepted the ball which was picked up by Reid and adjudged to have been a deliberate backpass.
The resulting indirect free kick was touched to Cartwright to score from 15 yards.
Town settled into the game and Marcus James’ long ball found Kieran Holsgrove and his shot on the turn lacked power and was comfortable for Lee White in the Irlam goal.
On 17 minutes Niall Holmes’ through ball found the run of Dale Jennings and he was knocked off balance Kyi Nicholson while shooting.
The Town players asked for a red card as it was arguably denying a goal scoring opportunity, but the referee handed out a yellow. Jennings’ free kick was blocked by Andy Langford.
Town lost possession in midfield and a quick pass out to the right wing found Bardsley-Rowe and he shot into the side netting under pressure from Marcus James.
Irlam were creating the better of the chances in the first half. A lovely through ball from Taylor found Bardsley-Rowe who ran into the box and Reid was out quickly to make a good save with his legs.
Then Liam Pollitt cut the ball back to BardsleyRowe who dragged a shot wide.
Town ended the half on the front foot. Ellis Jones found Holsgrove and his ball in from the right was just too short for Jennings to get on the end of. Then Holsgrove’s free kick from 25 yards was no not far away from finding the top corner.
After the break, Town made the perfect start and got back into the game on 52 minutes. Niall Holmes won the ball in midfield and laid the ball off to Kevin Exell whose through ball was perfect for Ben Greenop to run on to and finish in off the post. It was Town now looking the most likely to get the next goal. A good move involving substitute Sam Hunt and Exell created an opening for Jones and his shot was blocked.
Shortly after Thompson’s long throw eventually dropped to Turner and his goal bound shot was blocked.
Bardsley-Rowe should have wrapped up the game for Irlam on 81 minutes, firing wide from 12 yards.
Town kept plugging away and were rewarded for their persistence on 89 minutes. Exell received the ball from Thompson and was tripped inside the box. Substitute Craig Cairns stepped up and confidently despatched the penalty low to keeper’s right.
Deep into injury time Town were caught on the counter and Ellis Jones tripped Bardsley-Rowe on the halfway line – but again the ref only showed a yellow.
Unfortunately, Bank Holiday Monday’s game against Vauxhall Motors was abandoned at half time following an injury to Vauxhall Motors’ Greg Drummond.
He received a head injury during the first half and the match was abandoned by the referee at half time as the club waited for an ambulance to arrive.
Drummond had stitches in his head wound, but was well after being treated by paramedics. A spokesman for Runcorn said: “Everyone at Runcorn Town would like to wish Greg all the best and hope that he makes a swift recovery.”
Town were 1-0 up through Sam Hunt’s 13th minute goal, but the health of the players was far more important.
Details of the rearranged fixture will be annouced once they have been confirmed.