Late strikes nail victory as Linnets return to form

Runcorn Linnets 4 Sporting Khalsa 1

Goalscorers, from left, Lewis Crane, Sean Miller, Naim Arsan and Harvey Washington rejoice in victory. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Report by Dave Bettley

Runcorn ripped up the recent formbook in a welcome return to winning ways - but they left it late to see off the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division newcomers.

Sporting had taken four points from their last two aways with Linnets having lost their last three at home in all competitions.

But Brad Cooke's men finally overpowered the visitors with two goals in the last seven minutes for a scoreline which reflected their superiority.

The only question from boss Cooke was why it had taken them so long to get Khalsa on the hook.

Runcorn had been without a victory in four outings all told while Sporting had gone the same number of matches unbeaten in a reversal of early-season form.

Linnets were certainly due a change of fortune after narrowly losing successive ties in the FA Cup and Trophy to higher opposition and then succumbing in the league to Shifnal Town.

Cooke's call for other players to step up in the continuing absence of injured 11-goal top scorer Scott Bakkor and all-time club record scorer Ryan Brooke was ultimately answered.

This was Runcorn's biggest haul of the NPL campaign so far.

But at 2-1, there had been a nagging worry that the away side might snatch something as Runcorn impressed with their approach play yet struggled to finish.

They had taken a one-goal advantage into half-time, Harvey Washington marking his return from a weekend absence with his second of the season.

Harvey Washington (No.6) pounces to open the scoring. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

The blossoming young centre back headed in at the near post (above) from a right-wing corner taken by Naim Arsan, in the absence of Matty Rain.

Although named as a substitute, left back Rain was nursing a minor injury and 19 games into their season, Runcorn's last remaining 100% appearance record has gone.

Linnets could have scored four in the first half from corners alone and created plenty in open play.

Lewis Crane, having struck the crossbar with a last-gasp header in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Shifnal, was again unlucky as a low right- foot drive rebounded off the left post.

Sporting had suffered a major early setback when Dilano Reid was carried off with a serious Achilles injury after landing awkwardly. It will, sadly, sideline him for the rest of the season.

After defeating Bury 2-0 four days earlier, they made little headway before the interval.

Sean Miller caused consternation for the Kalsa defence throughout. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Runcorn doubled their lead in the 47th minute with Sean Miller, who had been tormenting the Lions, lashing from Oskar Rosenblatt's fine through ball.

'Keeper R'avan Constable had delayed Runcorn progress with first-half saves but could do nothing as Miller's effort from the right of the box flew inside the left post.

The scorer celebrated with an exuberant full- length dive.

Constable denied Crane as Linnets continued to press but failure to the opposition away in the first 50 minutes threatened to backfire on Runcorn.

It was another example, according to the manager of Runcorn "undoing their own shoe laces", just as they had on Saturday, although the award of a penalty to Khalsa for a "foul" by Joe Ferguson was very dubious.

Greg Hall saves from the penalty spot. Picture by BEN JACKSON

Justice was, therefore, more than likely served as Chay Tilt's spot-kick was well saved by Greg Hall, diving to his right.

Miller shot across the face of goal while a superb effort from the influential Lewis Doyle, whose clever footwork had fashioned the shooting opportunity, flashed agonisingly wide as Linnets sought to capitalise.

But a rare aberration by Runcorn's 'keeper saw an innocuous-looking effort by Andre Landell go through him to unexpectedly revive Sporting's chances.

Normal service was soon renewed. But after bypassing two defenders on the Runcorn left, the ever-dangerous Miller had another shot comfortably saved by Constable.

In a rare foray from the Willenhall-bassd visitors, Ronee Hendricks sped away as central defender Rooney found himself isolated in the right-back position.

But the seventh-minute substitute's cross evaded Prince Harry, a later visiting replacement.

Doyle and Miller engineered another opening, this time for the willing Roseblatt, whose shot from the right evaded the left of the goal.

Naim Arsan salutes the fans after scoring Runcorn's third in the 83rd minute. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Runcorn at last got their just reward in the 83rd minute. Feguson's miscued shot fell for left winger Naim Arsan to score, unusually with his right foot.

Crane then grabbed the goal he had been threatening and deserved in stoppage time, thanks to Rosenblatt's second assist of the contest.

It's raining goals as Lewis Crane rejoices at scoring the fourth. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Sporting dropped into the 18th spot Linnets had vacated in climbing to 15th.

Runcorn still have multiple matches in hand on teams around them.

Victory at Stafford Rangers would ensure Linnets move up one more place on Saturday - by taking them above their hosts.

Runcorn Linnets: Greg Hall, Joe Ferguson, Eden Gumbs, Markell Foulds (Peter Wylie, 90 mins), Adam Rooney, Harvey Washington, Oskar Roseblatt (Nathan Sandison, 90), Lewis Doyle (Jacques Welsh, 90 mins), Lewis Crane, Sean Miller (Marcus Cusani, 86 mins), Naim Arsan. Sub (not used): Matty Rain.

Attendance: 410.