Linnets find redemption in stirring comeback draw

By Dave Bettley

Linnets produced a second-half performance to lift the spirits as they halted their start-of-season slide.

Runcorn had found themselves two goals adrift before Elliot Morris' penalty just before half-time gave fresh hope.

Their equaliser, courtesy of an own goal, was reward for a stirring fightback.

Depleted Linnets had shown just one change from the side beaten ignominiously - if by the only goal - at Wythenshawe on Saturday with Harry McGee coming in for Nick Rushton.

New signing Connor Day, a former Stoke City Under 21s midfielder, was among the substitutes.

The visitors had the chances to have completed the turnaround with a victory. But despite falling short, they restored faith with supporters after two paltry defeats.

Padiham had, however, been within early range of a first win since returning to Northern Premier League West for this season.

They struck twice in the opening 18 minutes as the game began calamitously for Linnets.

Oli Roberts lashed home a 12th-minute free-kick from the left edge of the area with 'keeper Calvin Hare rooted to his line.

It got worse for Runcorn. No sooner had left back Matty Rain given way to Rushton with a hamstring injury than the Storks doubled their lead.

Jack Price converted his penalty with aplomb yet it stemmed from a disputed handball call.

The spot-kick had been awarded against a Runcorn player, who'd had his back to the ball.

There was even a suggestion that a Padiham player might have handled.

Linnets fans felt that their team weren't getting the rub of the green from referee Dale Wilson - so much so that every time they got a decision after the break, an ironic cheer went up.

That said, the hosts received four of the seven on-field cautions in a feisty encounter.

The overall count was evened up by Linnets boss Michael Ellison's yellow carded for venting his frustrations at the official.

Having shown little if any initial improvement after two non-scoring losses, Linnets were thrown a lifeline in the 42nd minute.

Padiham wasted a chance to clear their defensive lines and the willing Noah Roberts ran laterally into the box from close to the deadball line on the left of goal.

The 17-year-old winger, again tasked with playing at centre forward due to injuries, went down when challenged by right back Joe Hurst.

The validity of the penalty claim was again questionable. Morris, however, made light of the pressure kick to give Runcorn a launchpad to redemption.

Most of the action after the turnaround took place in Padiham territory.

Sunmer signing Morris had his best game yet in a Runcorn shirt while Roberts refused to take a backwards step in attack.

He needed lengthy treatment for a head injury after being clattered by Matt Hamnett.

The referee awarded a free-kick the other way but with nose bloodied and after changing into a numberless shirt, the makeshift former No.9 was undeterred, continuing to show a lot of bottle.

Runcorn had introduced Brendan O'Brien at half-time for his first outing of the season, Southern's enforced substitution allowing utility man O'Brien to slot in effectively at right back.

Harry McGee always looked likeliest to conjure up a Linnets leveller.

His quick turn and low ball into the box prompted Padiham's Matty Makinson to divert it past his own 'keeper with 53 minutes played.

A Rushton shot flitted agonisingly wide of the right post while Roberts was off target from a header with the goal at his mercy.

Padiham, having been forced back into their shell, threatened again very late on. Centre half Watkinson had a big chance to score at the correct end from a left-wing cross by Fenton Davies.

But Runcorn will feel they have at least stopped the rot. With four points from as many games, they are ninth in the table - having played more matches than all teams below them.

Ellison's side take a short break from league duty as Trafford visit on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Linnets will then entertain Lower Breck in NPL West on Tuesday - if neither have replay commitments.

Runcorn Linnets: Calvin Hare, Olie Southern (Brendan O'Brien, 46 mins), Matty Rain (Nick Rushton, 17 mins), Peter Wylie, Toby Jones, Jay Harris, Elliot Morris, Jacques Wellsh, Noah Roberts, Harry McGee, Matty Whittingham. Subs (not used): Lewis Bell, Frank Denison, Connor Day.

Attendance: 294.