Payback time as six-goal Runcorn stun Congleton
- dbettley
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Runcorn Linnets 6 Congleton Town 2
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets chalked up their highest league tally under Brad Cooke - against the club which inflicted the manager's heaviest defeat.
The 6-0 loss at Cleric Stadium late last season had left a bitter taste with Runcorn also having two sent off.
But the score was well and truly settled in a frenetic Pitching In Northern Premier League West contest, which Runcorn effectively had to win twice.
The Bears retrieved a two-goal deficit in the first half.
But after scoring a third to lead narrowly at the break, Linnets added three more without further reply to secure the points.
Runcorn have now notched 17 goals in winning all four home games since their only APEC Taxis Stadium loss of the NPL campaign against Shifnal Town in mid-October.
This victory lifted Runcorn above rained-off Bury into fifth spot and leaves them in fine fettle for Tuesday's much-anticipated visit of league leaders Lower Breck.
The two teams share the division's best goal difference with Breck seven points better off, having played two matches more.
Although they weren't best pleased at the shortlived Congleton fightback, there was plenty for Runcorn to enjoy on Saturday:
• Two more goals from top scorer Scott Bakkor, taking him to 14 for the season
• A mature man-of-the-match display from Lewis Crane - with an assist and a majestic headed goal, which got Runcorn back on track at 3-2.
• A first score in Linnets colours from left back Matty Rain.
• Impactful contributions again off the bench with electric right-wing play from Oskar Rosenblatt and a senior debut for another Under 21s prospect Joel Street.
The game started off in very similar fashion to last week's 3-1 victory over Newcastle Town with Runcorn monopolising possession.
They got the early breakthrough, which had been missing last time out.
Bakkor latched onto a long ball from defence by November Player of the Month Harvey Washington to turn it home with typical assurance.
The goal lured the Bears out of their defensive shape, almost prompting an immediate equaliser.
But Bayleigh Passant made a good save from left winger Ebou Badjie, who was causing Runcorn difficulties.
Linnets doubled their lead in the 25th minute from throw-in on the right by Peter Wylie - Joe Ferguson again absent from the full-back position with his back injury.
Lewis Crane's clever pass released Lewis Doyle, whose shot from an acute angle was hit clean and true inside the far left post.
Congleton this time did get a goal back - within three minutes.
Badjie, again tormenting Linnets with more skillful and elusive footwork, lashed an effort from the left of the box into the opposite corner of goal.
Two minutes from the break, from another good move, central striker Matthew Gillam drove home Congleton's second - the hosts having been unable to get near the ball in their own box, let alone clear it.
But the Bears soon got a taste of their own medicine.
A minute into stoppage time, a first half of fluctuating fortunes swung back in favour of the home side.
Skipper Jacques Welsh, who had been full of endeavour in midfield, found Bakkor out wide on the right.
Linnets' top scorer eluded full back Matty Lay to deliver a great cross, which Crane met with an even better finish.
Not only finding the elevation but an ability to hang in the air, the 18-year-old steered his header to the goalkeeper's left.
There was another period of uncertainty after the break, Congleton spending longer in Runcorn territory than Linnets would have liked.
But as time pressed on and the visitors' need for an equalising goal becoming ever greater, Runcorn went into overdrive, exploiting tired legs in the visiting ranks.
In the 70th minute, trickery from Bakkor close to the corner flag saw him wriggle free into a dangerous position to the right of the penalty area.
Lay was forced to bring down the Runcorn No.9 at the initial cost of the game's second (and final) caution - Runcorn's Markell Foulds having been the first entrant into the referee's book.
Matty Rain's ensuing free-kick swerved spectacularly inside the far post to restore the hosts' two-goal advantage.
If Congleton weren't already in enough strife, Rosenblatt arrived on the scene in the 76th minute to inject more energy and pace.
Crane made way and left the field to a warm reception, having not only contributed an assist and a goal but held the ball up well.
Bakkor's move into the middle brought Congleton no respite on their left, where substitute Rosenblatt set up Runcorn's last two goals.
Turning one way and then the other, the Chester loanee picked out Harvey Washington to tap in at the far post in the 82nd minute before being freed by fellow replacement Marcus Cusani to send in another cross.
Bakkor was the grateful recipient this time with three minutes of normal time remaining.
There was still scope for boss Cooke to further illustrate the importance of the club's Under 21s side.
Billy McNay was introduced for his second first- team appearance at right back while wideman Joel Street got his first taste of senior action as the 29th player to feature for Linnets this season.
Street might even have crowned it with a goal but his shot in the dying seconds was blocked.
In his post-match interview, Brad Cooke also highlighted the stabilising effect which Dec McLoughlin brought off the bench.
The scoreline doesn't reflect how hard Linnets had to work for the win or Congleton's contribution to the game.
But it was an emphatic finish from the hosts nonetheless.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Matty Rain, Markell Foulds (Dec McLoughlin, 71 mins), Adam Rooney (Billy McNay), 87 mins, Harvey Washington,, Lewis Doyle, Jacques Welsh, Scott Bakkor (Joel Street, 87 mins), Lewis Crane (Oskar Rosenblatt, 76 mins), Naim Arsan (Marcus Cusani, 66 mins).
Attendance: 502.
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