Linnets leave fightback a little too late as Stalybridge prevail in big Under 21s clash

Runcorn Linnets U21s 4

Stalybridge Celtic U21s 5

Thistledown Group man of he match Macauley Clifton

Report by Dave Bettley; pictures from file by Kelly Jones

With a late comeback, which brought them three goals in the last eight minutes, Runcorn came agonisingly close to getting something from a game that was well beyond them.

Early mistakes and slackness were costly, ultimately leaving the title-chasing hosts with too much to do against opponents, who are now strong contenders themselves.

Linnets couldn't be faulted for their effort, spirit or at times their quality in the second half.

Substitute Zack Kopanksi scored one and set up two more in a rousing finale. But Runcorn ran out of time to complete their recovery in North West Development League Premier Division.

They had found themselves two down after only 12 minutes and then conceded twice more in the first 20 minutes of the second half for a 5-1 deficit, after pulling a goal back from the spot soon after the break.

With Owen Cushion waiting to take the penalty awarded for handball, as the referee went over to speak with a linesman, both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Their respective No.5s  were shown red cards after a fracas, Linnets skipper Jay Lee being sent off for alleged retaliation.

Linnets had already spent 10 minutes towards the end of the first half a man down.

Zack Kopanski was instrumental in the Linnets comeback.

'Keeper George Huyton was sinbinned for dissent and replaced in goal by Alex Ellams. Striker Ben Crane had to be sacrificed as Ellams came off the bench while Huyton served his punishment.

However, Ellams kept his place for the remainder.

Runcorn had made a disastrous start as an attempted backpack fell short to gift Celtic a lead inside two minutes.

The in-form visitors, who pose the biggest threat to leaders Warrington Town and second-placed Linnets, extended their lead in the 12th minute.

There was a taste of the controversy to follow as Stalybridge scored from a free-kick, despite Linnets claiming an offside in the lead-up.

On 28 minutes, a by now rampant Stalybridge added a third from a well-worked give-and-go move.

It was only in the final throes of a very rocky half that Linnets put a shot on target and Cushion's free-kick was saved comfortably enough.

Runcorn regrouped at half-time, manager Stephen Ellams making a tactical switch.

Sam Hamling, one of two Runcorn players whose involvement was cut short by injuries.

Sam Hamling, who had been at left back, swapped roles with centre back Ben Dobbie while Theo Papadopoulos was introduced wide on the right. Cushion took up a more advanced midfield role.

But an already weakened Linnets were hit by injuries to Cushion and then Hamling, who was prostrate on the pitch as Stalybridge grabbed their fifth goal.

Celtic's fourth had been contentious, Linnets again believing an offside had been missed by the officials.

Undeterred, the hosts responded with great heart, Thistledown Group man of the match Maccauley Clifton taking the game to Stalybridge from midfield.

Kopanski fired in their 82nd-minute second from a corner,  cleared to the edge of the box, and almost immediately threaded a pass through for Fin Ryan to score his first goal in the Yellow & Green on home debut.

Theo Papadopoulos snapped up a rebound chance for Runcorn's final goal when time was almost up.

Papadopoulos followed up when Kopanski's shot rebounded off the right post but by now the 90 minutes were up.

With referee Mark Shaw's allowance for stoppages being a paltry three, Linnets narrowly failed to pull off the impossible.

The result leaves them six points short of top spot with two games in hand but an inferior goal difference.

Stalybridge, in sixth spot, are 11 points behind Runcorn, having played five matches fewer.

This Sunday, Linnets entertain UDA Soccer Cestrians, who are in eighth place, in a 2pm kick-off at APEC Taxis Stadium.

Warrington Town and Stalybridge also have home fixtures.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Billy McNay, Sam Hamling, Owen Cushion, Jay Lee, Ben Dobbie, Macauley Clifton, Sam Stephens, Ben Crane, Eneil Gumbs, Jack Parker. Subs (all used): Alex Ellams, Fin Ryan, Charlie Ratcliffe, Zack Kopanski, Theo Papadopoulos.