Early struggles continue in defeat by adventurous Atherton

Nick Rushton heads Runcorn in front with his fifth of the season but it's in vain.

Runcorn Linnets 1 Atherton Collieries 2

Report by Dave Bettley; pictures by Ben Jackson

Runcorn's disappointing start to the season continued with a fifth defeat in ten games - one that provided more questions than answers.

The hosts played some attractive football on a surface quickened by heavy rain before and during the match.

But they struggled to unlock a well-marshalled Colls defence, which limited Linnets to just two clear opportunities.

Nick Rushton headed Michael Ellison's team im front after 32 minutes from Matty Whittingham's left-wing cross.

It took until the 90th minute, however, for Runcorn to carve out another big chance.

Rushton was the recipient again, the ball this time being played in from the right by substitute Lewis Bell.

But it was a tougher proposition and the former Wrexham man's header cleared the bar, spelling the end of Runcorn's hopes.

An adventurous Atherton side had generated the better openings throughout.

Delayed by three top saves by Calvin Hare in the opening quarter, they got back on terms a minute after the interval.

With home defenders around him, Louis Potts advanced to the edge of the area before driving a low shot beyond the diving Hare into the left corner.

Potts was playing behind a very lively Colls front three, who caused numerous problems for the home defence. Liam Sheppard's speed was particularly troublesome.

Further visiting pressure told on the hour

as a right-wing corner led to a cross from the same side by Rodney Ajayi.

Essa Janneh, a towering figure in Atherton's back line, had stayed forward and powerfully headed past the helpless Hare.

Runcorn's 'keeper had kept his side on level terms early on.

Seemingly stranded as Kielen Adams knocked the ball over him, Hare somehow made it back to his goalline before clawing the shot away for a corner in the nick of time.

The Linnets No.1 then turned a vicious 25-yard effort by Sheppard onto his crossbar and was soon getting down at his right post to deal with a shot by Harry Forshaw.

Linnets responded positively to eventually falling behind, forcing back a tiring Atherton outfit.

But momentum was halted by blatant gamesmanship from the visitors.

With Potts receiving treatment on halfway for an injury, it looked as though Colls wished to make a substitution.

Referee Daniel Seddik was attracted towards the away dugout but the change didn't happen.

Amid all the commotion, Potts having left the field on the opposite side came back on uninvited with the official oblivious to what was happening.

When play resumed, Potts wss flattened by a foul on the edge of the box. He was this time replaced.

The resulting free-kick was blazed over the bar but Colls had used up time to get their breath back and regain composure, effectively knocking Linnets off their stride.

It was another frustrating night for Ellison's side, who are yet to find genuine cohesion.

Lying 12th in NPL West, they will head to Mossley on Saturday to face the team immediately below them, likewise on eight points from seven outings.

Runcorn Linnets: Calvin Hare, Ollie Southern (Lewis Bell, 67 mins), Matty Whittingham, Jacques Welsh, Brendan O'Brien, Scott Holding, Dec McLoughlin, Callum Leigh, Conor Harwood (Lewis Buckley, 60 mins), Nick Rushton, Oscar Wright (Noah Roberts, 79 mins). Subs not used: Franklin Dennison, Connor Day.

Attendance: 496.

Another night of despair for off-key Runcorn.