Runcorn Linnets 2 Wythenshawe Town 2
Match report by Jack McGorry; pictures by Kelly Jones.
It was FA Cup time at APEC Taxis Stadium on Saturday, as Runcorn faced in-form Wythenshawe Town in the preliminary round of the prestigious knockout competition.
Antony Kay made a couple of changes from Tuesday's 2-2 league derby draw at home toWidness.
The gaffer himself started in place of Lewis Doyle, who had gone off with an early injury against Widnes.
The other change was James Hooper in place of Will Saxon, who dropped to the bench.
The two new Blackpool loanees, who had joined at the end of the week, midfielder Jaden Jones and striker Taylor Bowen made their debuts as substitutes.
Wythenshawe Town began the game looking very lively, asserting a great deal of early pressure on the Runcorn defence.
They got their reward after only eight minutes, Luke Nock advancing down the right and fizzing a great ball into the Yellows’ box and the path of scorer Chinedu Uche.
Going behind seemed to do the Yellows the world of good, as they kicked into life and started to dominate possession.
They found an equaliser through talisman Ryan Brooke in the 23rd minute.
Captain James Short swung in a great cross on his weaker right foot and it seemed to catch the Wythenshawe Town defence by surprise.
Brooke took advantage by nodding his second goal of the season, this one past veteran ‘keeper Greg Hall.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Linnets continued to press. Their search for a follow-up goal almost brought a potential Puskas Award contender.
Another superb cross into the box by James Short was met by Eden Gumbs, performing an audacious bicycle kick.
But his fantastic effort flew past the far post of Hall’s goal.
Both sides went into the break a goal apiece, a fair reflection of a rather busy first half.
The next 45 minutes began in a similar fashion to the end of the first, the Yellows controlling possession.
Five minutes into the half, Eden Gumbs was bizarrely flagged offside after he had turned and beaten his man, who was left on his back.
Cue jeers and laughter from home fans, who were completely perplexed by the linesman’s decision.
Soon after, the Yellows very nearly found themselves in the lead.
A Linnets corner was cleared away but picked up on the left wing by none other than the impressive Harvey Washington.
The centre back’s cross into the Wythenshawe area caused a scramble, which resulted in a goalline clearance by the visiting defence after the ball had crashed against the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Antony Kay looked to the bench for a double substitution, taking off himself and goalscorer Brooke for the two Blackpool loanees Jones and Bowen.
Bowen found himself in acres of space 10 minutes into his debut, as he was found by yet another beauty of a ball, behind the away defence, from James Short.
The recipient striker couldn’t quite get his feet right after bringing the ball down, and Wythenshawe had the chance to clear.
A short while later, it was a head in hands moment for Bayleigh Passant, who received a back pass from Peter Wylie in the Linnets box.
Instead of launching the ball downfield, the ‘keeper attempted to turn the oncoming Matthew Liptrott, who easily dispossessed Passant and finished into an empty goal to put the visitors back into the lead.
A goal against the run of play was again exactly what the Yellows needed for a boost.
Man-of-the-match James Short, creator of the first goal, had a hand in the equaliser - passing a through ball into the path of Will Saxon, who guided it past the oncoming Wythenshawe ‘keeper Hall.
Late on, it was the other Blackpool loanee’s turn to worry the visitors' goal.
Midfielder Jaden Jones picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a fierce shot, which sailed just wide of goal.
After a late flurry of chances for Wythenshawe Town, none of them of any serious threat to Passant’s goal, the referee brought an end to the game.
On reflection, a draw was a fair result and the teams will replay on Tuesday night at Wythenshawe Town’s Ericstan Park.
Linnets' planned league visit to Avro FC on Wednesday evening is, therefore, postponed.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, James Short, Antony Kay (Jaden Jones, 60 mins), Harvey Washington, Sam Carr, James Hooper (Will Saxon 34 mins), Jacques Welsh. Ryan Brooke (Taylor Bowen, 60 mins), Eden Gumbs, Adam Moseley. Subs (unused): Sam Barratt, Josh Elverstone, Tom Ledward.
Attendance: 374.
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