Luckless Linnets fall in play-offs again

Stalybridge Celtic 1 Runcorn Linnets 0

Report by Dave Bettley

The Northern Premier League West play-offs once again proved a nemesis for Linnets as for the fourth time in five seasons they suffered promotion heartbreak.

This was a second semi-final defeat to add to two final losses but Runcorn left everything on the pitch and deserved to have taken the game into extra-time at the very least.

An individual error early in the match cost the away side dearly but they will wonder how they didn't score in the second half.

Linnets largely dominated after the break but were denied in turn by Stalybridge 'keeper Charlie Monks, the woodwork and a goal-line clearance.

It's Stalybridge, who go forward to contest the division's second promotion spot in this weekend's Play-off final, away to league runners-up Avro.

Celtic had repeated their single-goal victory in November's league meeting at Bower Fold with the same scorer in Andy Scarisbrick.

The attacking midfielder is technically a former Linnets player.

Signed as cover by Michael Ellison ahead of the transfer deadline in Runcorn's North West Counties League Premier Division title campaign of 2017-18, Scarisbrick never got to wear the Yellow & Green.

His eighth-minute strike made all the difference on Tuesday but the manner in which it was conceded will haunt Linnets for some while.

Scarisbrick swept home to exploit a lapse in concentration by centre back Brendan O'Brien, who had been caught out by a through ball.

One of six current Runcorn players, who were denied a chance to step up to the NPL Premier Division with the summer demise of title-winning Widnes, O'Brien has been exemplary in his short time with the Murdishaw club.

Sean Miller and Steve Irwin , two others who suffered the same fate at DCBL Stadium, had returned to a full-strength line-up.

Matty Rain, also a Widnes old boy, and former Stalybridge striker Scott Bakkor were named in the starting XI after being rested to the bench in Saturday's 2-1 win at Newcastle Town.

Celtic showed a couple of changes to the side, which twice came from behind for a 2-2 draw at Runcorn's APEC Taxis Stadium earlier in the month.

That result was pivotal in securing home advantage in the tie.

Stalybridge's captain and driving force Liam Tongue was restored to midfield. Ruben Jerome, a play-off final winner against Linnets in 2023 with Workington, came into attack.

Runcorn had started promisingly and recovered well from the blow of conceding from the first chance of the game.

Harry McGee, Miller and Naim Arsan busily supported lone striker Scott Bakkor while Joe Ferguson offered a persistent threat with his trademark forward runs from right back.

McGee almost provided another of his special goals after swivelling onto Miller's lay-off in the 33rd minute.

His left-foot effort from distance brought a spectacular one-handed save from Monks, leaping to his right to turn it over the bar.

Matty Rain, with help from Arsan, had kept a lid on the danger from Ellis Horan but the hosts' livewire right winger broke free approaching the interval with a swerving run into the box.

It ended with a save from Mersin with his legs and, two minutes after the restart,  Runcorn's 'keeper again kept the hosts at bay when Jerome got away from the visiting defence as Celtic launched a long ball forward.

It took a well-judged intervention from 6ft 5in Mersin, stretching out to dispossess the striker at his feet.

The ball ran free but as the Runcorn rearguard regrouped, Jerome turned it into the side netting at the near right post.

Runcorn created a handful of great chances to even up the score as the game continued at pace.

A half-volley by the impressive Arsan forced Monks into another fine save, at the foot of his left upright, before the luckless O'Brien sent a near-post header against the bar from Rain's right-wing corner.

Ferguson had two headed opportunities to level, both resulting from more good work by Arsan on the left.

The defender was unable to get the first on target as he climbed on the far side of goal but the second from a central position was cleared from the line by centre back and home man-of-the-match Aaron Chalmers.

When the marauding Ferguson flashed a shot across goal, after being released on the right by McGee, it was obviously not going to be Runcorn's night.

Stalybridge had defended resolutely and in the dying moments, Arsan saw another goal- bound attempt blocked.

Runcorn can reflect on a league campaign in which they have sustained a promotion push almost to the last, despite the upheaval of a surprise managerial change midway through.

Having continued the good work of Brad Cooke, Michael Ellison will be devastated not to have got the team over the line - particularly after the way his championship celebrations with Widnes last season were cruelly curtailed.

But it wasn't for the want of trying on or off the field.

Despite being engulfed at the final whistle as Stalybridge fans swarmed onto the pitch to celebrate their win, Linnets players and management were able to thank another heathy contingent of travelling fans for their unwavering support.

Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson (Noah Roberts, 84 mins), Matty Rain, Brendan O'Brien, Harvey Washington (Peter Wylie, 51 mins), Jacques Welsh (Ryan Brooke 85 mins), Harry McGee, Steve Irwin, Scott Bakkor, Sean Miller (Dec McLoughlin, 78 mins), Naim Arsan. Sub (not used): Lewis Doyle.

Attendance: 1,562.

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