New-look side halt Town slide
NORTH WEST COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION SQUIRES GATE ................ 0 RUNCORN TOWN ............ 3
RUNCORN Town put in a solid display to end a six-game winless run with a 3-0 win at Squires Gate.
There were three changes to the starting lineup with debutant Sam Hughes, Callum Richards and Craig Cairns coming in for Mike Samson, Niall Holmes and Ben Greenop.
Town look the lead in the fourth minute.
Liam Turner’s long throw into the box was dropped by the keeper under pressure and Kevin Exell was on hand to fire home.
On 12 minutes Kieran Holsgrove’s free kick into the box eventually fell to John Shaw and his shot looped just over the bar.
Squires Gate’s first shot of note came on 16 minutes when Josh Pollard was played in and forced a save from Adam Reid, but the flag was already up for offside.
Town’s best openings were coming from set pieces. Holsgrove’s corner from the right was headed over at the near post by Sam Hunt.
The hosts should have equalised on 25 minutes. Jake Higham’s cross from the left found Dean Ing and he headed just over from close range.
It was Squires Gate who were looking more likely to score. Jacob Ridings got in down the right wing and his shot was saved Reid and the follow up from Pollard blocked by Callum Richards.
On 32 minutes Squires Gate were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, but fortunately Ing’s kick was fairly central and pushed over the bar by Reid.
Town doubled the lead on 43 minutes. Reid’s goal kick found its way through to Hunt and his shot across the goal was knocked in by Squires Gate defender Isaac Abankwah.
Chris Webster had a shot wide in first half injury time and it was Town who took a two-goal lead into the break.
Town were a man down for 10 minutes early in the second half after Sam Hunt was sent to the sin bin.
Squires Gate were unable to make the numerical advantage count. Ing had a free kick wide of the target and Cameron Gourley went closer with a shot that almost found the top corner.
For Town Joe Holt and Craig Cairns did well to create an opening and Holt shot wide under pressure from a defender.
Most of the play was in the Town half, but the defence stood firm. Ollie Burgess shot from 25 yards was pushed away by Reid and from the resulting corner Webster headed just over.
On 76 minutes a loose ball found its way to Ing in the box, but Reid was out quickly to block the shot and James Boyd’s follow up shot went over the bar.
Reid was called upon to make another good save on 87 minutes.
Boyd’s shot from 25 yards took a slight deflection and Reid dived to his right to push the ball away for a corner.
Town made it 3-0 in injury time.
A Squires Gate corner into the box almost lead to a goal but John Shaw was well placed to clear off the line. Town counter attacked and as Gate keeper Mike Hale had gone up for the corner, sub Tom Ruffer was able to run from just inside his own half to walk the ball in and wrap up the win.