Linnets are haunted by Wittton bogeymen
Witton Albion 5 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley
A turbulent week off the pitch took a traumatic on-field twist as Linnets slumped to their heaviest defeat of a season in which they have conceded far too many goals.
Despite it being home for their first four seasons, Linnets haven't found Wincham Park at all accommodating as an away venue.
After letting in four in two of four previous Northern Premier League visits without a win, it got worse.
Three unanswered second-half strikes saw bogey side Albion hit five against Linnets - just as they had in their APEC Taxis Stadium meeting at New Year.
The Yellow & Greens have had two changes of manager since then and young player-boss Jacques Welsh was given a measure of how difficult the job can be as Linnets disintegrated for the first time under his leadership.
With the club reeling from news behind the scenes that chairman Peter Cartledge would be resigning at the end of the season and vice-chairman/treasurer Jeff Jago doesn't intend seeking re-election to the Trust Board, Runcorn fans had needed some cheer.
In right back Ollie Southern's absence, Toby Jones started for the first time since August in one of two change in personnel to last week's starting XI.
This, however, required a switch in the full-back positions.
Kian Bell moved from his central- defensive role to the left while Lewis Bell again showed his versatility in shifting sides to the right.
The other alterations was Welsh's return at the expense of his deputy Peter Wylie.
It all started so brightly for the visitors, who forced Witton's keeper Cameron Terry into a good save inside the 120 seconds.
Noah Roberts unleashed a near-post shot from the left.
Runcorn promptly took the lead with six minutes on the clock.
Top scorer Nick Rushton found the bottom-left corner from a cross by Lewis Bell, who was picked out by Harry Gerrrard’s piercing pass.
This was only the second league goal Linnets had registered against Ben Harrison's Witton, this being their fifth meeting.
Ominously, Runcorn’s former landlords had already racked up 14 in that time, and there was plenty more punishment to come.
Play initially evened out after that Runcorn early promise, which saw Roberts flash another shot wide as they sought to increase their lead.
But Runcorn were hamstrung by theee early bookings with Kian Bell and defensive midfielder Welsh walking a tightrope. Striker Lewis Buckley’s yellow card was harsh.
Jack Byrne and Peter Wylie were cautioned inthe second half, assustant player boss Wylie for a "professional" foul to stop a dangerous 89th-minute break.
Albion, who themselves had three names taken by referee Oliver Hamilton, equalised midway through the half - from the first of two corners, which brought them goals.
Jim Lowrie’s delivery from the left was unconvincingly dealt with on first contact.
Albion’s skipper Danny Kerr made the most of the opportunity as the ball broke to him inside the box.
It was further evidence of Linnets’ struggles when defending at set-pieces.
Witton's slowly but surely got in top. Their second by star performer Deji Sotona a minute from half-tine was the turning point.
Runcorn were completely outplayed in the gathering gloom of the second half as mist descended.
Looking increasingly deflated and barely posing any further threat themselves, they were unable to cope with Albion's attacking play.
Witton plundered their third inthe 55th minute with Ben Holmes’ shot taking a wicked deflection and six minutes later it was game, set and match.
Another corner from the left was helped on by centre forward Freddy Garbutt for Wade Rutherfird to head home and then Billy Jones combined with Lawrie to engineer another as Witton went nap.
With Runcorn's defence having gone missing, Joe Edwards' goal left Runcorn to negotiate another quarter of an hour plus four added minutes,
These were not the circumstaces in which Francis Smith would have chosen to make his debut, the former Prescot midfielder being introduced off the bench on the hour.
Time couldn't pass quickly enough for the away side, who had produced just one second-half effort of note - and Sean Miller's effort went well over the crossbar.
After dropping to 14th place, Runcorn must dust themselves down to prepare for next Saturday's first-time visit of Lichfield City.
The Staffordshire outfit might be bottom of the West Division table but picked up their eighth point of the campaign with a shock 1-1 home draw against leaders Bootle on Saturday.
Runcorn Linnets: Calvin Hare, Lewis Bell, Kian Bell (Peter Wylie, 46 mins), Jacques Welsh, Toby Jones, Jack Byrne, Noah Roberts (Francis Smith, 60 mins), ,Harry Gerrard (Oscar Wright,60 mins), Lewis Buckley, Sean Miller (Harry McGee, 77 mins), Nick Rushton (Conor Harwood, 68 mins).
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