Linnets march on to new FA Cup best - full report

Ashton United 1 Runcorn Linnets 2

By Dave Bettley

Runcorn are through to the Fourth Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time after a thrilling and richly-deserved replay win.

Ashton of the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division had denied Linnets victory with a last-gasp equaliser in Saturday's initial clash.

But on a memorable night for Brad Cooke, his team and all connected with Linnets, the NPL West side made no mistake this time.

Naim Arsan (pictured above) crossed for Scott Bakkor (below) to volley Linnets ahead before, with a quarter of the game played, Arsan scored himself - doubling the visiting lead with the deftest of finishes.

Jason Gilchrist, who had rescued Ashton four days earlier, halved the arrears with a goal on the stroke of half-time.

But there was no further scoring and few major alarms for Runcorn in the second half, although Joe Ferguson had to head off the line as Linnets soaked up home pressure.

Runcorn showed one change from the side which had gone so close to making history at the first attempt with Marcus Cusani replacing Jacques Welsh, who had limped through the closing stages on Saturday.

Runcorn's selection problems are such that skipper Welsh was named as a sub - alongside Lewis Doyle, who came off the bench to put in a stint when less than 100% fit.

It is that sort of commitment which underpins this team, although there is plenty of quality too as was emphasised by their performance in the first 30 minutes.

Their pace and power going forward was such that Ashton, whose only defeat at home this season had been to table-topping Lancaster City, did not know what had hit them.

Runcorn went ahead in the seventh minute with a superb counter attack from an Ashton free-kick.

It began with Harvey Washington winning a challenge deep in his own territory and ended with Cusani spreading the ball wide left for Arsan to send in a fine cross, which Bakkor met on the full for his 11th goal of the season.

Runcorn were on the rampage and the Robins struggling for an answer. Linnets added the second goal they couldn't quite deliver at the weekend.

Another terrific interception, this time by man of the match Adam Rooney at centre back, was the springboard for Linnets to launch another raid with Ryan Brooke's header sending Arsan into the clear.

The lively winger lifted the ball delicately past 'keeper Jordan Eastham with 23 minutes on the clock.

Linnets continued to threaten. Peter Wylie saw a header from Matty Rain's corner on the right deflected wide for another on the left.

It was half cleared for Arsan to head the ball back towards goal but narrowly wide of tbe left upright.

Runcorn were unrelenting, strong-running midfielder Declan McLoughlin fizzing a right-foot shot towards goal from 20 yards. It cleared the bar but not by much.

The visitors had managed to largely keep a lid on Ashton's attacking threat. But, in the last 10 minutes of the half, the hosts enjoyed by far their best spell.

Their revival was prompted by special deliveries from the right by Alex Byrne.

Called into serious action for the first time in the 36th minute, on-loan Blackpool 'keeper Harvey Bardsley saved impressively from Gilchrist.

Byrne sent in another dangerous cross, which deserved a finish but evaded everyone.

However, it was third time lucky as he again picked out Saturday's scorer.

Ashton's number 9 Gilchrist gave the hosts fresh hope, his goal with 45 minutes just about up slightly changing the complexion of what had been a perfect first half from the Yellow and Greens.

The Robins now were suddenly back in contention but Runcorn were intent on making history rather than letting it repeat itself.

Manager Cooke and his assistant Rob Sadler were imploring their players to keep a high line rather than defend deep to invite Ashton on, as had happened late on in the weekend's game.

There was defending to do but Bardsley and his back four were resolute, restricting the Robins to few clear-cut chances.

Four minutes into the half, Arsan almost restored Linnets' two-goal cushion when found by Cusani inside the area on the left. But the wideman's shot was repelled by Eastham.

Runcorn had to contend with a series of baffling refereeing decisions as three players picked up cautions while the indiscretions of the home side went unpunished.

Perhaps the most puzzling of all came midway through the half when Cusani was pushed in the back just outside the Ashton box.

He did his level best to stay upright but ultimately lost his balance - the free-kick he should have been awarded going the other way.

The referee penalised the former Ashton player for handling as he fell on the ball.

The Robins were desperate to save the game but the closest they came was in the 69th minute.

Ashton won the ball in midfield to set up Dan Ogwuru, whose shot was spinning towards goal but dealt with in the nick of time as Ferguson cleared off the line.

As in Saturday's game, Ashton's manager and former Linnets skipper Steve Cunningham sent on towering Tom Denton, hoping that the seasoned substitute could use his height to help force extra-time.

There were a couple of anxious moments inside the six-yard box. But Runcorn were in no mood to capitulate and seven minutes of added time couldn't save Ashton.

Linnets are within 90 minutes of the proper stages of the FA Cup. National League North outfit Buxton stand between Cooke's men and the first round, when EFL One and Two clubs enter the competiton.

The Derbyshire side will visit APEC Taxis Stadium on Saturday, October 11th.

Before then, Runcorn will again entertain Bury this Saturday in the Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying (ko 3pm) and if successful, Morpeth Town of NPL Premier in the next round on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).

Otherwise, early pacesetters Lower Breck will visit the APEC for a midweek match in NPL West instead.

Runcorn must check on the fitness of Ryan Brooke, Naim Arsan and Scott Bakkor, who all went off in the second half at Hurst Cross.

Markell Foulds and Sean Miller are, meanwhile, making enouraging progress in their recoveries from injury.

Runcorn Linnets: Harvey Bardsley, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Peter Wylie, Adam Rooney, Harvey Washington, Marcus Cusani, Declan McLoughlin, Scott Bakkor (Lewis Crane, 89 mins), Ryan Brooke (Oskar Rosenblatt 48 mins), Naim Arsan (Lewis Doyle, 74 mins). Sub (not used): Jacques Welsh.

Attendance: 442.