Bridge of sighs as Linnets lose at Bower Fold

Stalybridge Celtic 1 Runcorn Linnets 0

Eden Gumbs finds progress blocked by a Blue wall.

Report by Dave Bettley with photos from Kelly Jones

Linnets suffered only a second away defeat of the season in all competitions as their hoodoo over Stalybridge was broken by a first-half strike.

Runcorn had won all four Northern Premier League contests against Celtic plus an FA Cup and two Cheshire Senior Cup ties as a Step 4 side - including last season's county final.

The Tanesiders' only success over Linnets had come in the Cheshire Cup in March 2013 when as a Conference North side, they defeated the then North West Counties League-based Linnets, three divisions their junior, 2-1 at Bower Fold.

Stalybridge were, therefore, overdue a victory over Runcorn and it was secured by Andy Scarisbrick's 24th-minute goal in a game of few chances.

Runcorn again defended well to keep themselves in the contest and, through his substitutions, Brad Cooke tried all he could to turn the match around.

But whatever he and his team came up with, Linnets were never quite able to find their attacking stride.

There was an improvement after half-time when Sean Miller and Naim Arsan were introduced to support frontrunner Scott Bakkor.

But Stalybridge stayed strong in defence and as Linnets went for broke in the closing stages by reducing defensive numbers, the hosts' victory margin could have increased.

However, this always seemed likely to be a tight game and so it proved with neither goalkeeper being overly tested.

The opening stages were cagey with Runcorn having a good share of possession but a lot of this was across their own back line.

It's when they tried to be more proactive that the difficulties arose. Scott Bakkor found himself isolated in attack with the suspended Lewis Doyle, who normally links midfield with attack so well, being conspicuous by his absence.

There were sporadic opportunities for Bakkor and Joe Ferguson, who played ahead of Peter Wylie (on vice-captain Wylie's 200th start) but little final product.

Matty Rain is beaten to the ball.

It was the same at the other end if truth be told.

But Runcorn's task became all the more troublesome when a probing pass by Celtic skipper Liam Tongue opened them up.

It created a chance for Scarisbrick, who angled his shot from outside the six-yard box on the right.

Midfielder Dec McLoughlin slid in with an attempted block but couldn't quite get in the way of the No 10's effort.

Bayleigh Passant came out to meet it yet the ball went in off the 'keeper's back leg, finding the left corner - despite backtracking Adam Rooney's desperate attempts to intercept.

Linnets sought a response but Stalybridge were obviously lifted by the breakthrough and the home side looked the likelier scorers in what remained of the first half.

Linnets manager Cooke had to change tack at the interval.

Wylie went off, the boss alluding to a knock for the experienced defender.

Markell Foulds was also withdrawn with Jacques Welsh retreating to Foulds's position in front of the back four.

The latter had played without a number from the second minute, adopting the blood shirt after treatment.

On rejoining the action, Foulds was bizarrely cautioned - presumably for rejoining the action without the referee's permission.

It looked very much like he had responded to a signal, rather than sneaked back on.

Runcorn's half-time changes promised a dividend with Miller, playing immediately behind Bakkor, advancing beyond the Celtic defence to meet a through pass from his fellow new arrival Arsan.

But, unfortunately, the ball was on Miller's unfavoured left and the influential midfielder, returning from his latest early-season injury, snatched his shot wide of the right post.

A flying stop by Passant from replacement forward Jack Irlam's distant strike was his first save of the second half. It came in the 87th minute.

There had been nothing to genuinely worry Charlie Monks in the Stalybridge goal.

He had got fingertips to Welsh's first-half strike, which was also from a long way out and seemed to be off target anyway.

Runcorn introduced Oskar Rosenblatt midway through the second period and then into the last 10 miinutes, Lewis Crane and Marcus Cusani but they couldn't save the game.

With Linnets a man short in defence, centre back Rooney having been substituted to get more attackers on, Stalybridge should have added a second with the last kick of the game.

Runcorn, who had been undefeated on the road since September 9th, dropped two places to seventh with Stalybridge and Vauxhall overtaking them.

But leaders Lower Breck drew and contenders Bury were beaten so damage was limited. With games in hand, Cooke's men remain in a strong position.

Linnets will take this first loss in eight on the chin and come back stronger.

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain (Oskar Rosenblatt, 64 mins), Peter Wylie (Sean Miller, 46 mins), Adam Rooney (Marcus Cusani , 82 mins), Harvey Washington, Markell Foulds (Naim Arsan, 46 mins), Jacques Welsh, (Lewis Crane, 82 mins), Scott Bakkor, Dec McLoughlin, Eden Gumbs.

Attendance: 504.

Scott Bakkor willingly gives chase but the ball runs away from Runcorn's top scorer.