Linnets come good in final third as Miller follows Buckley's lead

Runcorn Linnets 2 Lichfield City 0

Report by Dave Bettley

Joy, with a bit of relief mixed in, as Sean Miller seals victory four minutes from time with Runcorn's second. Picture by Ben Jackson.

Runcorn bagged three important points with a performance which improved positively once they were ahead.

It was a victory which for the first two thirds of the contest had seemed unlikely as Linnets toiled against the Northern Premier League West Division's basement side.

Lichfield arrived at APEC Taxis Stadium with a goal difference of minus 40 but having been boosted by an unexpected home draw against visiting leaders Bootle last time out.

The home side had the better efforts on goal at APEC Taxis on Saturday but not enough of them in the first hour although visiting 'keeper Brandan Bache pulled off a couple of splendid first-half saves.

That was the difference between the sides before the interval as City had as much of the play but failed to test Calvin Hare in the Runcorn goal.

This continued throughout the 90 minutes. Ironically Runcorn broke the deadlock within seconds of City's best attempt by far.

A free-kick by Joe Edwards rattled the bar with Hare unable do anything about it.

Linnets regained possession to break upfield instantly for Lewis Buckley to drive the ball home left-footed from inside the box.

The goal seemed to lift a weight off Runcorn's shoulders.

Lewis Buckley's deadlock-breaking goal came just after Lichfield had hit Runcorn's bar. Picture by Ben Jackson.

The intensity and threat which had been missing was suddenly evident. Jacques Welsh and his team could have added to their tally long before they did.

Bache pulled off a wondrous double save to deny Harry McGee and Sean Miller while sub Conor Harwood thought he had scored his first Runcorn goal.

He knocked in the rebound after a stunning set-piece effort by Francis Smith on his full Linnets debut had come back off the right post.

Harwood, who had along with Noah Roberts made a major impact off the bench, was deemed to have been offside when the free-kick was taken.

Runcorn were made to wait until the 86th minute to seal the deal, Miller rising at the near post to score with a flashing header from Smith's left-flank corner.

This was not a great display from Runcorn by any means but good enough. Taking the lead boosted their confidence and tenacity.

Early on, it has seemed as though the heavy defeat by Witton a week earlier was still playing on their minds.

Bucko makes a noise on scoring, above, (picture by Ben Jackson) while, below, Sean Miller jumps into the centre forward's arms (picture by Neil Thornton).

With McGee and Smith in the startimg line-up and 'keeper Bayleigh Passant on the bench after re-signing this week, they made a decent enough start and could have been two goals up in the first 11 minutes.

McGee should have scored very early but slight hesitation from four yards out allowed Bache to make a crucial block.

City's No.1 further excelled himself with a goalbound effort as a Runcorn free-kick dropped for Miller just outside the box after being half-cleared.

Bache sprang into action, however, with a massive leap to his right, turning the ball away one-handed at the top corner. Jack Byrne's header from the resulting flagkick waa blocked on the line.

But Runcorn's efforts tailed off conspicuously after that and they were fortunate that Lichfield, with an even share of the contest, couldn't finish off their moves.

Kai Cunningham showed excellent footwork on a lateral run inside the box, in front of Runcorn's defence, but he was slightly off balance when it came to shooting and hit wide with his left foot.

It was that kind of afternoon for the Staffordshire outfit from an attacking perspective and, defensively, they were caught on the rebound as Linnets finally hit the front.

Nick Rushton goes on the offensive for Linnets, above, (picture by Ben Jackson) while below Lewis Buckley, Harry McGee and Jack Byrne uo the pressure on the away side (picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley)

Without Bache's interventions, Runcorn's victory margin would have been more than doubled. Apart from his saves, the Lichfield 'keeper was also adept at advancing from his area to clear danger.

Runcorn are lacking pace in attack, although this improved with their changes.

This was only a third clean sheet of the season for Linnets. Centre backs Toby Jones and Byrne were instrumental in that, standing strong against a forceful centre forward in Jamie Spears.

The victory consolidated Linnets' league position at the higher end of the bottom half.

The now 13th-placed hosts take a break from league duty on Tuesday, travelling the short distance to Barnton of North West Counties League Division One South in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Runcorn Linnets: Calvin Hare, Lewis Bell, Kian Bell, Jacques Welsh, Toby Jones, Jack Byrne, Harry McGee (Conor Harwood, 68 mims), Francis Smith, Lewis Buckley, Sean Miller, Nick Rushton (Nosh Roberts, 68 mins). Subs (not used): Bayleigh Passant (GK), Peter Wylie.

Attendance: 490.

An encouraging sight for Runcorn fans as Matty Rain, although still missing through injury, joins in the pre-match warm-up. Picture by Ben Jackson

Club president Alan Jones brought a wreath on to the pitch before kick-off as Linnets commemorated Remembrance Week. Pictures by Peter Gallagher-Headley.