RUNCORN TOWN JUNIORS ROUND-UP
RUNCORN Town’s Junior sides have put in some fantastic performances over the last few weeks.
The Under 15s have had a difficult season in the St Helens & Rainhill League, suffering some heavy defeats in the first half of the season with a very thin squad. Manager Lee Hughes has slowly added to the squad over the season, and with regular training sessions each week, has begun to turn things around.
Mini Huyton Soccer Galaxy were the visitors to Runcorn three weeks ago. With a 100% record and top of the league, they scored twice in the first half through Harley McCormack to take command of the game. Aaron Pimblett pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, however Galaxy saw out the game to claim all three points.
St Michaels DH at were up next at home, the Mikes sitting second in the league with a 100% record. Town put in an exceptional first half in which they took the lead through an Owen McLaughlin goal in the opening ten minutes.
They continued to create chances but it was often the final ball that let them down or some superb goalkeeping from Jake Barrow. Midway through the half, St Mikes equalised against the run of play to make it 1-1.
The second half saw more pressure but ultimately no more goals, but a much improved performance.
This confidence was brought into last Saturday’s game when coincidentally, St Michaels were again the opponents at Leigh Rec.
Once again it was another great first half performance but this time the team got their rewards.
Callum Kervin-Lowe opened the scoring in the first five minutes with his first goal of the season, quickly followed by a great strike from McKenzie Powell. Aaron Pimblett made it 3-0 before Esau Smith’s first goal for us made it four at the break.
Against the wind in the second half the lads defended really well but conceded to a Tom Wright goal with 15 minutes to go. However Callum’s second made it 5-1 on the day to secure a great win.
After tasting defeat for the first time this season at Macclesfield in the Cheshire Cup, the Under 16’s were twice frustrated with the weather before hosting Pilkington
Rangers. It was the visitors who took a shock lead after 16 minutes through Jacob Walker, with Chaz Shapley equalising from the spot on 40 minutes. Four minutes later, Town were ahead with Liam
Hall scoring. The start of the second half saw Town take control, with Hall adding another before Lucas Ramsden scored twice. The final score was 7-1 with Owen Chadwick hitting a stunning 30-yard effort and Nathan Roberts completing the scoring.
Next up was Vulcan with Liam Hall giving us a narrow 1-0 lead at the break with a goal just before the whistle. Farrell Whyte levelled five minutes into the second half before Hall restored the lead three minutes later. Hall then completed his hat-trick from the spot on 58 minutes, with
Whyte scoring a consolation penalty with two minutes of the game to go.
Hindley Green Rovers were next in the League Cup Quarter Final, and it was Hall again who opened the scoring with a fierce shot after ten minutes. Rovers levelled with Jaden Keogh restoring the lead from a corner from the left. Again Rovers levelled with the final score 2-2. That meant penalties and it was a close affair with Town running out 5-4 winners. Billy McNay, Chaz Shapley, Luke Graven, Nathan Roberts and Jaden Keogh were the Town scorers from the spot.
Finally last Saturday Town travelled to Warrington Rylands Real, a close rival over the last few years. It was the home side who took an early lead before Liam Hall levelled with his 27th of the season. The second half saw goals from Harry Cartlidge and recent new signing Alex Konstantinitis to give Town a 3-1 win.