Jack's back - with a bang!

Atherton Collieries 1 Runcorn Linnets 2

Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones

Jack Grundy was quick to make a mark on his long-delayed competitive club debut as Runcorn Linnets bounced back from their midweek home defeat.

An injury in pre-season meant that the summer signing had missed the first 15 games of 2024-25.

He not only successfully completed a full 90 minutes last night, without having hitherto set foot on the field this season, but scored Linnets' opening goal.

Grundy's 30th-minute effort was the first of two headed set-piece goals in the space of 10 minutes, which set up Linnets' victory.

The second was scored by Taylor Bowen and had Runcorn been as ruthless with their finishing in open play, they would surely have won by more.

As it was, Colls - still struggling after relegation fron the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division - pulled a goal back in the 90th minute, having been largely contained by a well-drilled Runcorn rearguard.

That fuelled fears among the strong Linnets contingent in a 500-plus Friday night crowd that the hosts could complete an unlikely comeback.

Stoppage time continued well beyond the minimum six minutes added, but Linnets continued to create the clearer chances with Adam Morgan, an interval substitute for the injured Bowen, passing up two excellent opportunities.

Boss Antony Kay made four changes from the team which had lost to Newcastle Town at APEC Taxis Stadium on Tuesday.

Grundy, Jaden Jones, Adam Moseley and James Short all came into the starting XI with Short's inclusion being particularly significant.

It signalled the club captain's full recovery from injury with Tyler Hill, who had been a more than capable stand-in, having returned to Blackpool after the Newcastle game - on the completion of his short-term loan.

Linnets directed a lot of their early moves through Short, who was also to impress with his defensive work.

Considering the skipper has seen little action in recent weeks and Grundy none at all, the visiting defence stood up well throughout.

Young Harvey Washington continues to impress in central defence while Peter Wylie was unflappable on reverting to the right full-back berth.

It was also pleasing to see Sam Barratt, a regular in that position last term, back in action very late on after his multiple injury setbacks since pre-season.

Colls had won their last two games by the only goal and not conceded in three to suggest that their fortunes are on the up with Michael Clegg having returned as manager after a five-year absence.

His first spell as boss had brought them three promotions in five seasons.

Yet Linnets were quicker out of the traps, Adam Moseley haring through very early on only to have his shot saved.

With finishing being awry in the run of play, Linnets made the most of a free-kick awarded on the half hour.

It was curled in left-footed from right of centre by Luke Wall for Grundy (pictured) to meet it with a glancing header.

He took a blow in the act of scoring but was thankfully able to resume after treatment.

Five minutes before the interval and not for the first time in recent memory, Karl Clair served up a fine right-foot set-piece delivery from the left for Taylor Bowen to power home - this being his fifth strike of the campaign.

Colls rallied upon the restart, enjoying much more possession in the Runcorn half but without causing too many major alarms.

Luke Wall was unlucky to see a shot rebound off Atherton's right post midway through and there was always a worry that if they got one back, the hosts could add a second.

But it was a bit too late from their perspective when Alex Doyle swept home a cross from the right to give the hosts just a glimmer in the gathering gloom of a mid-October evening.

It had become difficult at times to make out which team was in possession, let alone identify individual players - especially in the distance.

The home side's purple and white striped goalkeeping shirt was also a novel choice with his team-mates in a similar black and white design.

Despite the extended stoppage time, the tardiness of Colls' response calmed fightback fears and Runcorn came closer to netting in the remaining minutes.

Antony Kay's side are back on the road on Tuesday, making a return trip to Witton Albion where they lost heavily in the league on the August Bank Holiday.

They will want to fare better this time in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Peter Wylie, James Short (Sam Barratt 90+6 mins), Karl Clair (Lewis Doyle, 62 mins), Jack Grundy, Harvey Washington, Jaden Jones, Jacques Welsh (Eden Gumbs, 77 mins), Adam Moseley (Will Saxon, 86 mins), Luke Wall, Taylor Bowen (Adam Morgan, 46 mins).

Attendance: 543.