Bayleigh is the saviour in Trophy shootout as Linnets stay undefeated
- Sep 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Runcorn Linnets 1 Garforth Town 1
(Linnets win 4-1 on penalties)
Report By Dave Bettley
Having twice denied Runcorn in penalty shootouts, this was payback for the fans from Bayleigh Passant.
While at Marine, the now 24-year-old 'keeper foiled his present club in the FA Cup - en route to a third-round appearance against Tottenham Hotspur in 2020 - and again in the Liverpool Senior Cup final of 2023.
But this time, the Yellow and Greens benefitted from his defiance in a contest too close to call.
Passant saved a couple of spot-kicks as Runcorn edged through to the Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying and extended their unbeaten start.
He secured Runcorn £1,500 in prizemoney, helped by some sharp shooting from team-mates as Sean Miller, Naim Arsan, Dec McLoughlin and Matty Rain all converted convincingly from 12 yards.
Passant's two stops - including an outstanding low effort at his right post - sent Runcorn through without having to take their fifth kick.
It was a scenario which could have been predicted when the draw was made.
Garforth were on a run, which would see them draw their first four matches in Northern Premier League East.
Both sides had opportunities to have won in normal time, Linnets having the better of the first half before losing their grip in the early part of the second.
But a sustained 15-minute Runcorn rally towards the end almost brought them a victory in 90 minutes.
A downward header from Sean Miller, after a three-week injury absence, bounced up on to the crossbar.
Harry Flatters then saved instinctively with an outstretched leg when Miller's fellow substitute Lewis Doyle looked set to score from a terrific turn and shot.
Runcorn might also argue that penalties would not have been needed had they been awarded two spot-kicks they believed were due in open play.
Firstly, from a great run on the left early in the second half, McLoughlin cut inside to deliver a right-wing cross with Runcorn adamant that defender Jamie Barkway had flapped at it with an arm.
On-loan Chester striker Oskar Rosenblatt, having come off the bench for his Runcorn debut, was involved in more controversy as he looked to have been upended on the right of the visitors' box in the 73rd minute.
Only two minutes earlier, Garforth had levelled the scores with a goal which in truth had been coming since the break.
Sub Nash Connolly's drive cross from the right evaded everybody until it reached Renor Ejupi, who was last in the queue beyond the far post.
Runcorn had gone ahead in the 29th minute with Scott Bakkor continuing his remarkable scoring run with his ninth goal from his first eight Runcorn appearances.
It was engineered by a through ball by Arsan and finished with real aplomb as Linnets' leading marksman steered a shot from the left of the area safely inside the far post.
But Bakkor limped off gingerly at the three-quarter mark, his replacement Miller being thrust unusually into the centre forward role.
McLoughlin had lit up midfield with some classy touches ad searching passes to get Runcorn going forward.
After the restart, however, the emphasis switched more to defence with Markell Foulds, again operating as a holding midfielder, being forced to shield a back four which had at half-time lost Adam Rooney, hitherto ever present this season.
Eden Gumbs shifted across one place from left back, Harvey Washington pushing over to right of centre where in an exciting finale he pulled off a vital covering tackle with Garforth's sub George Harrison poised to go through on goal.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie (captain), Eden Gumbs, Markell Foulds, Adam Rooney (Matty Rain, 46 mins), Harvey Washington, Marcus Cusani (Lewis Doyle, 56 mins), Declan McLoughlin, Scott Bakkor (Sean Miller, 66 mins), Jorge Dwyer, (Oskar Rosenblatt, 55 mins), Naim Arsan. Sub (not used): Ryan Brooke.
Attendance: 385.
Comments