RUNCORN TOWN JUNIORS ROUND-UP

THE Under 15s put in an outstanding performance to win a thrilling cup match against Prescot Cables on Saturday morning.

Jack McLaughlin-Light put the Town youngsters ahead on 7 minutes, picking up a loose ball just outside the box and giving the keeper no chance with a great finish.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 when Town counter attacked and Owen McLaughlin’s shot took a deflection and found the bottom corner.

McLaughlin had two other opportunities to add to Town’s lead, shooting just over and having a shot blocked by the keeper.

Prescot ended the half stronger though and got one back on 30 minutes with a good finish.

The visitors went close a couple of times from a corner and a free kick and Ethan Glover also made a couple of good saves to ensure a half time lead.

Early in the second half McLaughlin-Light tried his luck again from distance which brought a good save from the keeper.

Prescot equalised when a quick throw led to a cross into the box and finish from 10 yards out to make it 2-2. Glover then had to be alert again to make another good save.

Town took the lead again midway through the second half - Aaron Pimblett’s free kick from 30 yards finding the bottom corner.

There were chances to increase the lead further - McLaughlin won possession high up the pitch and squared to

Callum Kervin-Lowe whose shot came back off the bar. McLaughlinLight also had a free kick pushed away by the keeper.

But Prescot came back into the game and Town needed a great double save from Glover helped keep them out. But he could do nothing about the equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

Prescot looked more likely to find a winner, but Town survived a couple of late scares to take the game to extra time.

The extra 20 minutes were more cagey with fewer chances at both ends. Prescot’s best chances came from set pieces, with headers from a corner and a free kick not far off target.

Pimblett had another free kick from distance that brought a good save from the keeper. And he provided what turned out to be the winner, when his corner from the right was headed in by Mackenzie Powell.

After a couple of narrow defeats recently, the lads got the result that their recent performances have deserved. Once again showing great character and commitment and working well together as a team.

Their next game is on Saturday 5th February at home to Huyton Mini Soccer Galaxy. Kick off at The Heath Park is at 11am.

● The Under 16s continued their unbeaten run with a 3-1 win at Blackbrook on Sunday afternoon.

The first opportunity came on 8 minutes when Liam Hall found Ben Boote in space on the left and his shot from a tight angle was saved. Then Billy McNay found Nathan Roberts who shot wide from close range.

McNay played in Hall and his shot was just wide. Hall then had a free kick from 25 yards well held by the keeper.

On 25 minutes Town went close again. Lucas Ramsden put Hall through and his shot was saved by the keeper with Ramsden’s follow up shot just wide.

Blackbrook went close themselves with a shot wide following a long throw into the box. Town were on top though and on 34 minutes a loose ball in the box fell to Harry Cartlidge who shot wide. A minute later Town took the lead. A ball into box was flicked on and poked in to the bottom corner by Jimmy O’Rourke.

Blackbrook equalised early in the second half with a great run past 3 defenders and finish low past stand in keeper Charlie Shapley.

Town responded and went back in front within a few minutes. Harvey Coughlan’s cross from the left was met by Hall and his header looped over the keeper and into the net.

Town were dominating possession and creating chances - McNay’s ball over the top put Hall in on goal, but the keeper came out quickly to block the shot.

Midway through the half Town increased their lead. Luke Graven’s corner from the right was not dealt with and the loose ball fell to Finn Benjamin to finish from close range.

Chadwick had two more efforts saved by the

Blackbrook keeper who had a fine game. At the other end a free kick from 25 yards was held by Shapley.

Only some excellent goalkeeping kept Town at bay for the rest of the game.

Harry Cartlidge played the ball out to Graven on the on the right and his low cross was met by Chadwick 8 yards out but the keeper made a fantastic save.

Town almost made it 4 from another corner Cartlidge’s shot hitting the top of the bar. Chadwick had another shot saved late on and that was the final action of another good performance.

Their next game is on Sunday 30th January away at Parkdale Sidac Rangers. The game at Sherdley Park Playing Fields kicks off at 10am.