Impressive Linnets open NPL account with first-day victory
- dbettley
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Atherton Collieries 0 Runcorn Linnets 2
Report by Dave Bettley
Brad Cooke had played down the personal significance of a first return to former club Colls as Linnets manager - insisting that it was more about the players and getting a result.
It was mission accomplished in that respect as all parties combined successfully for Runcorn to post an opening-day league victory in Pitching In NPL West for the first time since 2022.
The manager set up his team to combat Colls' physicality by taking them on down the middle and his team followed the game plan to the letter.
Cooke started with Ryan Brooke and Scott Bakkor as a twin attacking spearhead, one of his two the customary wide players being sacrificed.
After seeing his team fight hard to gain the ascendancy with a show of controlled aggression, the manager reverted to a more expansive game in the latter stages.
The tactic yielded a second and clinching goal.
Another clean sheet to add to that in the Emirates FA Cup victory over Clitheroe first time out was a very welcome bonus, particularly on 'keeper Bayleigh Passant's 100th club appearance.
Runcorn turned in another solid and well-organised display, earning the right to get on top with a goal on the half-hour mark through Scott Bakkor, like Cooke enjoying his afternoon on a ground he had previously called home.
It was a battle of wills in a no-frills game - windy conditions limiting flowing football - and chances in the early stages were at a premium.
Luke Nock came closest to scoring for Colls on debut, firing over the bar on the stretch after the hosts had cleverly worked the ball into the box.
Lewis Doyle had similar luck at the other end, but from further out, after full back Joe Ferguson had worked wonders to prevent the ball going dead on the right before picking out the midfielder outside the area.
Doyle couldn't get on top of the shot to keep it down.
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The important breakthrough came with Bakkor's first competitive Linnets goal, the striker snapping up the rebound to Brooke's shot against the crossbar.
Both attempts were difficult volleys, requiring ngenuity because of the height at which the ball reached the two players.
Play continued to be very hard-fought but three Colls bookings for fouls - all justified - in what remained of the half showed that Atherton had their work cut out to stay in the game.
Sean Miller was relentless with his workrate in behind the front two, his skill and elusiveness causing a lot of problems for Colls.
They won't be alone in that as the season progresses. He drew a succession of fouls, not all of them recognised by the referee Jack Tooth.
Michael Clegg introduced frontman Kielen Adam's off the bench for the second half, the switch almost bringing an instant dividend.
Adams's acrobatic effort forced Passant into a scrambling save at the base of his right post.
In what seemed a very long half, given the slenderness of the Runcorn lead, it took Colls a good while to threaten again.
They had the ball in the net in the 74th minute but 'scorer' Danny Lafferty was flagged offside at a Ben Rydel free-kick from the right edge of Linnets' penalty box.
The visitors never stopped searching for another goal with Adam Moseley and Luke Wall bringing width to their attack late on.
Introduced in the 69th minute, they were instrumental in securing the deserved victory.
Wall provided a telling cross from the right for Moseley to force a shot home at point-blank range.
Inevitably, Miller had a part in the goal too - his backheel pass setting up Wall to deliver from inside the box. The ubiquitous midfielder brought a late save from Conor Robson with Linnets hunting for more.
It's very early days, of course, but Runcorn have looked a well-drilled outfit in the opening week and, in contrast to last season, have restricted scoring opportunities for opposing teams.
Peter Wylie and Adam Rooney have swiftly developed a good understanding. Full backs Ferguson and Matty Rain are as good as any in the division while all players in front of them are doing their bit defensively.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain (Adam Moseley, 69 mins), Peter Wylie, Adam Rooney, Jacques Welsh, Sean Miller (Harvey Washington, 88 mins), Lewis Doyle, Scott Bakkor, Ryan Brooke (Luke Wall, 69 mins), Naim Arsan (Eden Gumbs, 61 mins). Sub (not used): Markell Foulds.
Attendance: 417.
