Hanley Town 1 Runcorn Linnets 2
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets held on for a hard-earned victory to maintain the striking transformation in their early-season fortunes.
A third success in 10 days propelled Antony Kay's reinvigorated team from the relegation zone to a promising eighth spot in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.
But Runcorn had to withstand a late Hanley fightback for a maiden triumph at Potteries Park.
All four previous league visits to the Stoke-on-Trent ground had ended in draws.
Underlining the difficulty of the fixture, the first came in Linnets' North West Counties Premier Divisision title-winning campaign of 2017-18 and the other two in seasons, which have seen the Yellow & Greens reach the NPL West Play-offs.
True to expectations, this would be another gruelling test of Linnets' rediscovered confidence and resilience.
But it was passed with flying colours, particularly as they stayed strong in a tense (and intense) last nine minutes, seven of them allowed for stoppages.
For all their endeavours, Hanley took 88 minutes to break down Runcorn's resistance.
Up to that point, Tom Myles hadn't had a save to make, due to the diligence and defiance of his defence and another all-action display from a midfield providing the first layer of protection.
Hanley sensed, however, they might still get something from the contest when Brandon Newell halved their arrears with the aid of a deflection off Peter Wylie.
In the first two months of the campaign, it seemed that Runcorn were being outmuscled, almost bullied, out of games - but no longer.
They were not in the mood to let slip a first victory over Hanley since their 2-0 home success in December 2017.
Spirit in the team was again evident all through - exemplified by the leadership of stand-in skipper Jacques Welsh in both his stirring actions and encouraging words.
They fought for everything, not letting up over the 90 minutes and beyond.
All this was taken on board by appreciative travelling fans, monopolising a sparse crowd of 124.
Two set-piece goals from emerging striker Taylor Bowen, both towering headers, were ultimately enough to secure the three points.
Bowen has now succeeded injured Ryan Brooke as top scorer with four and he is revelling in the extra responsibility of leading the line in Brooke's absence.
Against two big, experienced and uncompromising central defenders - including Hanley's player-manager, Ryan Shotton who played in the Premier League and Europe with Stoke City - the young Blackpool loanee again stood up to be counted.
If Runcorn couldn't claim to have totally dominated the first half, they had the better of it and went in a goal to the good.
Their final ball in open play hadn't been the best, but Luke Wall got the delivery bang on with a left-footed corner from the right in the 39th minute.
In a packed six-yard area, Bowen wanted it the most and he shrugged off and outjumped Hanley's defence to power home.
The hosts realised they would have to raise their game, and duly improved in a fiery second half, which brought eight bookings - three of them for Linnets, recipients of the only yellow before the break.
One of these cautions was for Will Saxon, who protested too strongly after being unceremoniously flattened off the ball in midfield. The referee had obviously been unsighted.
Having again come off the bench to add zest and running power to Runcorn's attacks, Saxon drew another Hanley challenge, which was this time seen and - tellingly -penalised as a foul.
Karl Clair's searching left-wing free-kick to the far post, was met by another stunning header by Bowen in the 74th minute for the extra cushion Runcorn wanted - and eventually needed.
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Eden Gumbs, Tyler Hill, Karl Clair, Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Jaden Jones (Jorge Dwyer, 90 mins), Jacques Welsh, Adam Moseley (Will Saxon, 62 mins), Taylor Bowen, Luke Wall. Subs (not used): James Short, Jack Grundy, Antony Kay.
Attendance: 124.
Opmerkingen