Runcorn Linnets 3
Wythenshawe 1
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures by Peter Cantwell and Neil Thornton
Runcorn's prospects for the second half of the season were significantly enhanced by a well-earned victory over first-time visitors Wythenshawe in the final home game of 2024.
A dominant midfield display, led by stand-in skipper Jacques Welsh, set the tone as Linnets climbed to eighth in the table as many of the teams around them were beaten.
After a difficult start to the campaign and further hiccups along the way, Runcorn are only four points off the play-off positions going into Boxing Day's Pitching In Northern Premier League West fixture at Bootle.
Wythenshawe certainly had their moments in the first half, largely on the counter offensive, but their 'keeper, Kyle Haslam was always the busier.
With the wind in their favour as the rain lashed down in the second half, Linnets emphatically pressed home their single-goal interval advantage - underlining improved recent form at APEC Taxis Stadium.
This was a fifth successive home win in all competitions - including the penalty-shootout defeat of Ashton Town in the Liverpool Senior Cup.
It was much more entertaining and action-packed than the 0-0 stalemate between the clubs in Manchester on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign.
Wythenshawe arrived in Murdishaw with a former Runcorn favourite on either side of defence.
Right back Ally Brown, a stalwart of Linnets teams in their early NPL years, has recently been joined at the Ammies by Louis Corrigan.
Corrigan was a key figure in the title-winning North West Counties League Premier Division side which secured Runcorn's long-awaited promotion in 2017-18.
On his return, the experienced left back's set-piece delivery proved as good as ever with one of his free-kicks leading to a late consolation goal for the reigning NWCL champions.
Corrigan's initial contribution, however, was to retreat to his own goal line in the third minute to clear from Ryan Brooke, who had done well to get in a shot from a tight position - let alone put it on target.
The centre forward's effort emanated from an uncertain clearance by Haslam, who had to pull off a succession of saves before and after conceding in the 27th minute. Welsh, Doyle and Saxon were all thwarted.
Brown, meanwhile, headed away a right-wing cross from Brooke in the nick of time with Luke Wall lurking dangerously in front of goal.
But 'keeper Haslam paid a heavy price for impetuously rushing out of his area as Brooke, played in by Wall, fired past him into an empty net to give the hosts a lead they had been threatening.
Runcorn also had penalty appeals for an obvious handball turned away by referee Jack Lambert.
At the opposite end, Tom Myles stayed alert to save Fraser Goodwin's header from a corner - the central defender left free at the far post - before again blocking Wythenshawe's route to goal with striker Michael Phenix about to pounce from the left edge of the six-yard area
Then, on the stroke of half-time, Karl Clair brilliantly and crucially headed off the line to preserve Linnets' slender lead.
Runcorn had been calling the tune in the centre of the park thanks to man-of-the-match Welsh's forward drives and defensive diligence, Clair's energy and tenacity in the tackle and Doyle's incisiveness and vision as the most advanced of the midfield trio.
All three departed at intervals in the second half yet standards didn't drop as Eden Gumbs, Jaden Jones and Lewis Nolan seamlessly took over.
With Wythenshawe hampered by the blustery conditions, which were by now against them, Jones seized on a held-up clearance out of the visiting defence to release Will Saxon on the right.
Centre half Ben Mail set himself to deal with the winger's swirling right-wing cross towards the far post but only headed it into the top left corner of his own goal.
Victory was secured in the 79th minute, Nolan turning sweetly onto a Saxon pass from Naim Arsan's through ball to convert left-footed from outside the area.
Wythenshawe had a glimmer of hope, but no more than that, when substitute Adam Owen touched home a left-wing cross after Corrigan's free-kick had been intercepted in the six-yard box.
Runcorn had played well individually and collectively with impressive performances all over the field. Arsan and Harvey Washington shone brightly in defence while Wall and Saxon willingly supported deserving scorer Brooke in attack.
The next home outing for Linnets is against Witton Albion on New Year's Day.
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Sam Barratt, Naim Arsan, Karl Clair (Jaden Jones, 56 mins), Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Will Saxon, Jacques Welsh (Lewis Crane, 85 mins), Ryan Brooke (Adam Moseley, 56 mins), Lewis Doyle ( Lewis Nolan, 75 mins), Luke Wall (Eden Gumbs, 65 mins).
Attendance: 461.
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