Draw keeps play-off rivals at arm’s length
THE first goalless draw in 40 competitive Runcorn Linnets games left manager Calum McIntyre “satisfied rather than pleased”.
Linnets had dropped two home points but the pre-match positions of the two colliding promotion contenders made this a game Clitheroe really needed to win and Linnets not to lose.
Having earned a Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final berth with Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Stalybridge
Celtic, Runcorn had returned to crucial Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division action for three games in ten days – the first and last of them being at home to their closest rivals for fifth spot, the fourth and final promotion play-off place.
Clitheroe started the day eight points behind their hosts, both with nine games remaining. Bootle, who will visit APEC Taxis Stadium on Tuesday March 22nd, were one point closer, and with a game in hand.
Both visiting sides would view an away win as vital in sustaining their promotion hopes.
Before kick off, players from both soides stood together in support of the people of Ukraine.
A matchday collection raised £431.25 which has been sent to the DEC Ukraine Humantarian Appeal.
Clitheroe took the early initiative, and the lion’s share of the ball in the opening ten minutes, but Runcorn defending and closing in midfield were resolute.
power behind it from distance, but it flew straight into the arms of the unflappable Scott Reed.
At the end of a game of few chances, a point for Linnets kept them five clear of Bootle, having played one more game, as the Bucks side had scored twice late on to win at Newcastle Town.
Clitheroe remained eight points behind the last play-off place.
With eight games remaining, that will probably be too many.
Linnets boss McIntyre said it was an incredible achievement for his young squad to have the goal of a play-off place still in their own hands after 30 games.
Upcoming fixtures at Kidsgrove Athletic this coming Saturday and at home to Bootle the following Tuesday will have a decisive influence on whether the Linnets will take their league season into ‘overtime’.