Linnets get lesson in finishing

Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones

Failure to capitalise on early pressure backfired on Runcorn Linnets in defeat to new oposition FC St Helens.

Linnets were virtually camped in Stripes territory for the first 35 minutes and could easily have been four goals to the good.

Instead, the hosts scored from a penalty awarded for a foul by a trialist 'keeper,  on the stroke of half-time and never looked back.

Adam Moseley gets in a shot but there is no luck for Linnets in front of goal.

Assistant manager Rob Sadler, again taking charge of the team, sent out the same 11 for the second half.

Their mission was no doubt to put right the wrongs from before the break.

However, St Helens soon doubled their advantage with a shot into the roof of the net to the centre of goal.

The home side's confidence was now high and in contrast to the opening exchanges, Linnets were the team looking nervy and short of creativity.

A grimace from Adam Rooney as he wins an aerial duel.

A series of changes had no tangible effect - although it was good to see Under 21s left back Ben Dobbie back in a first-team shirt.

His only previous senior appearance had been as a substitute in the home Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat by Altrincham in April 2023.

With Runcorn by now looking like a side with no expectation of scoring, St Helens added a third near the end to wrap up their win.

It seemed like an attacker had been impeded in the build-up yet the home side still got a shot away - despite their man in possession being attended by three wearing Black and White.

The ensuing strike was half saved by the triallist No1 but bundled over the line.

It could have been all so different had Linnets converted a couple of those early opportunities.

Jacques Welsh forced a save with a flashing a header from a right-wing Matty Rain corner while Adam Moseley, playing off the front, worried St Helens defence with his fleet of foot but sadly without finding a finish.

Chances continued to come but go to waste, the hosts' 'keeper pulling off a couple more good stops.

Sean Miller is sent flying in midfield.

He blocked a deflected attempt by Moseley with his back leg and again came to the rescue when dealing with a shot on the turn from Runcorn's triallist centre forward.

With neither Scott Bakkor nor Ryan Brooke available, the No.9 looked to have at last broken the deadlock in the 28th minute when Naim Arsan sent him through to score. However, the flag was already up with play being pulled back for a contentious offside.

Luke Wall spurned another big opportunity as, having broken clear with a perfectly-timed run, he allowed the 'keeper to take the ball from his feet.

Luke Wall bypasses a defender as Linnets take the game to the hosts in the early stages.

The consequences were almost inevitable. Having barely threatened, St Helens forced the spot-kick on which the match turned.

At 2-0 down, Runcorn were surprisingly denied a penalty of their own, Wall having been bundled over on the right of the area.

But this was a game to forget for the visitors and one from which they must learn.

If you don't score when you're on top, the misses can, and often will, be costly.

Runcorn Linnets: Trialist, Trialist, Matty Rain (Ben Dobbie, 71 mins),  Jacques Welsh (Lewis Doyle, 57 mins), Adam Rooney (Markell Foulds, 57 mins) Harvey Washington, Luke Wall (Lewis Crane, 68 mins) Dec McLoughlin (Jorge Dwyer, 71 mins), Trialist, Adam Moseley, Naim Arsan (Sean Miller, 57 mins).

A light-hearted moment as Sean Miller, Lewis Doyle and Markell Foulds prepare to make their entrance.