Runcorn Linnets 4 Mossley 1
Report by Dave Bettley with photos by Kelly Jones
Runcorn continued on the comeback trail in spectacular style as long-range strikes by Adam Moseley and Jaden Jones set up back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Will Saxon returned, after a seven-game absence through illness, to complete a rout started early by the impressive Luke Wall.
Linnets climbed into mid-table after by far their best performance under boss Antony Kay.
The four-goal scoring spree was unexpected with Runcorn having been struggling to score goals - and, ironically, it was achieved without tneir top marksman.
Ryan Brooke had suffered a long-term collar bone injury in the previous game.
The Yellow and Greens had hitherto mustered just 11 goals in as many matches but if fans were wondering where they would come from now, the answer came very quickly.
Wall's speculative free-kick, taken left footed from the right, brought an instant dividend.
Fin Madigan had to pick the ball out of his net in the first minute.
'Keeper and defence were equally deceived as Wall curled the ball into the area.
It dropped in the corridor of uncertainty between them and bounced directly into the goal.
The dream start for Runcorn was soon broken by Mason Fawns's ninth-minute equaliser from the penalty spot, left back Tyler Hill adjudged to have committed the foul on Eric Yahaya to the right of goal.
Runcorn didn't allow the setback to affect their positivity, however, and they stunned the Greater Manchester side with two quickfire goals - contrasting strikes from distance.
Firstly, Adam Moseley fashioned a shooting opportunity for himself in the 22nd minute after Tyler Hill had won the ball robustly but fairly in midfield.
Moseley made the most of it by measuring up a 30-yard shot, which he executed perfectly as it soared into the top right corner.
It will be a strong contender for Goal of the Season.
Madigan didn't know what had hit him and three minutes later, he was under fire again.
From a Karl Clair free-kick, taken short, Wall again lofted the ball into the danger area. It was cleared but only as far as Jaden Jones, who returned it with interest from outside the box.
But this time it was a low drive which beat the shell-shocked 'keeper at the left post.
As Clair, Jones and acting skipper Jacques Welsh bossed the midfield, Runcorn had adopted a shoot-on-sight policy.
With the score at 1-1, Welsh gave Runcorn a sighter with a effort from distance, which was diverted away by the leaping 'keeper.
The 3-1 interval scoreline didn't flatter Linnets at all, and it could have been more.
Just before half-time, Taylor Bowen, causing chaos for the Mossley backline in the air and on the ground, kept the ball in on the left to clear the way for the fleet-footed Moseley to surge towards goal again.
He was stopped in his tracks by a superb block tackle deep inside the area by defender Mateusz Kardacz.
A physically-imposing Mossley outfit had posed problems at times for Runcorn and just before this, Tom Myles was called into action at his left post to charge down an attempt from Loui Williams.
Runcorn were intent on keeping up the momentum in the second half, Wall continuing his marauding runs at the Lilywhites defence.
He attacked from all angles and Mossley struggled to cope.
Moseley hit wide and Welsh tested Madigan with a header as Runcorn resumed their onslaught.
Mossley in turn built up a head of steam after the hour mark to suggest they might get back on terms.
But Runcorn, marshalled by experienced Peter Wylie at centre back, were in no mood to capitulate.
Mossley spurned their best opening when Kacper Mialkowoski's return cross from the left, after a right-wing corner, picked out Aderemi Efunnuga for a rare free header, which he sent wide.
Midway through the half, Moseley was foiled by the left upright while Madigan kept the visitors in some kind of contention by turning Wall's low drive around his right post.
But Runcorn put the outcome beyond doubt in the 86th minute.
Bowen's header found tormentor- in-chief Wall, who played the ball through for Saxon to sweep home, crowning his comeback to great delight.
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Eden Gumbs, Tyler Hill, Karl Clair (Jorge Dwyer, 75 mins), Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Jaden Jones (Will Saxon, 80 mins), Jacques Welsh, Adam Moseley (Antony Kay, 80 mins), Taylor Bowen, Luke Wall. Subs (not used): James Short, Jack Grundy.
Attendance: 501.
Comments