Naim points Linnets to knife-edge win
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
Runcorn Linnets 1 Stafford Rangers 0
Report by Dave Bettley
Victory from a cliffhanger contest in the long tradition of Linnets matches against Stafford fired the home side back into stronger promotion contention.
Naim Arsan's goal midway through the first half was ultimately decisive and Runcorn will feel that that the points were merited, despite the visitors upping their efforts after the restart.
It was the first time in four attempts that the reborn Linnets had secured full points over fierce foes of the original club after two away draws and a home defeat.
For those who had experienced the strength of the old rivalry, it felt extra special.
It has taken quite an effort to get the reborn Linnets, who will next month turn 20 years old, back on a level playing field against a club of Stafford's reputation in the non-league game.
They were twice winners of the FA Trophy in the 1970s and runners-up in between with Runcorn AFC their victims in two controversial semi-finals.
This match had some of the hallmarks of past encounters, play being fierce and feisty.
Seven yellow cards were shown, five of them to the away side.
In front of a 720 crowd, Linnets' second highest of the Pitching In Northern Premier Division season, play was on a knife edge throughout.
While Stafford didn't threaten that much in open play, Runcorn had to be aware of their danger from set pieces.
In the closing stages, the away side also had the long throw-ins of substitute James O'Neill.
There had been no indication what time the referee was adding for stoppages so uncertainty over how long the game would last only added to the drama.
The final whistle sounded in the seventh extra minute to signal a big victory in the title race.
Leaders Bury (still to come to APEC Taxis Stadium), and Avro, another team above fourth-placed Linnets in the table, were beaten.
Having chalked up his 200th game as Linnets manager in defeat at Clitheroe last weekend - the 13th match of his second spell as boss - Michael Ellison had pre-match decisions to make at both ends of the pitch.
Without centre back Harvey Washington (arguably Runcorn's top performer over the season so far) due to an injury sustained in training, Ellison reverted to a back four.
Peter Wylie and captain Jacques Welsh, who is increasingly being used in defence rather than midfield, were the central pairing.
Both revelled in the battle along with fellow long servant Lewis Doyle, whose industry and competitiveness in midfield allowed Dec McLoughlin to flourish.
In attack, record goalscorer Ryan Brooke was named alongside this season's leading marksman Scott Bakkor.
They worked well in tandem with Brooke winning hraders for Bakkor to feed on.
Linnets made much of the running before the interval and Stafford's Scott Moloney was the busier 'keeper throughout the 90 minutes.
Rangers struggled to turn increased possession and territory into genuine chances as they attacked the Forest End in the second half, encouraged by the noise from travelling fans.
February had seen the visitors go six games unbeaten with three wins and two draws being secured in the league.
But Runcorn were determined to put last Saturday's setback behind them and dug their heels in defensively when necessary.
Stafford had the first opportunity of the match when Callum Wilson sidefooted wastefully wide from a 10th-minute corner.
They would not get a better one all afternoon.
Runcorn played some bright football but were limited to half chances before going in front in the 24th minute.
Good build-up involving Joe Ferguson and Doyle saw the former send in a cross from the right.
Moloney should have done better with the flashing header from Naim Arsan, which brought the wideman's ninth goal of the season - second against Stafford.
Before the 'keeper could recover his composure, Linnets put in another cross, which he dropped.
Arsan's resulting strike didn't get through but Moloney dealt well with the follow-up from Brooke.
A powerful shot from McLoughlin was blocked, Rangers skipper Andrew Burns throwing himself defiantly in the line of fire.
Moloney, meanwhile, repelled a shot by Doyle from an acute angle.
The tenacious midfielder had picked himself off the floor on the left of the area to force the near-post save.
Deservedly ahead at half-time, Runcorn almost increased their advantage within two minutes of the resumption.
McLoughlin was offering energy and creativity and it took a spectacular one-handed stop by the Rangers 'keeper to turn the attacking midfielder's high effort over the crossbar.
Stafford had a rare opening when a Runcorn move broke down beyond halfway as Brooke and McLoughlin left the ball for each other.
But Mersin turned away the shot by Matthew Hearsey.
Joe Ferguson then had the speed to thwart Kaiman Anderson as the Stafford centre forward threatened to get in behind, the full back making up ground to intervene.
Ferguson became the second Runcorn player to be cautioned for a foul, Ben O'Hanlon being forced off injured as a result of the heavy challenge.
Stafford, who had been at odds with the referee all afternoon, picked up their last two cards in the aftermath.
Nerves were jangling in the closing minutes but Michael Ellison had substitutions up his sleeve.
Sean Miller was sent on to hold on to possession in the middle third, the introduction of Markell Foulds providing extra insurance in defence as the away side committed more players to attack.
Bury's Gigg Lane defeat by Vauxhall Motors means Runcorn now boast the highest points return in the division with 37 from 17 games.
Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Jacques Welsh, Peter Wylie, Steven Irwin, Naim Arsan (Markell Foulds, 83 mins), Lewis Doyle, Scott Bakkor (James Steele, 90 mins), Declan McLoughlin (Sean Miller, 83 mins), Ryan Brooke. Subs (not used): Noah Roberts, Isaac Graham.
Attendance: 720.
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