Game of two halves

Runcorn got back to winning ways tonight with a 3-2 victory over Ashton Athletic at the MLS. After cruising to a 3-0 half time lead, a lack of concentration and defensive lapses meant that it was the home side that were holding on towards the end. But hold they did, and in the process left the yellows cursing a poor first half performance.

Runcorn cashed in on some poor defending in the first half,Runcorn were pressuring high up the field and it paid dividends on 12 minutes, when Ashton centre half Daniel Barnett and goalkeeper Christopher Brinksman collided, leaving Ross McDowell to roll in the loose ball. Sean Breen almost doubled the lead moments later, but his header went just the wrong side of the near post after excellent movement.

The Ashton backline was in complete disarray and couldn’t cope with the tenacity of the busy front two and Runcorn midfield. Dan Smith was presented with a chance from a tight angle, but saw his low shot palmed away by the overworked Christopher Brinksman in the Ashton goal. but the second goal arrived on the half hour. McDowell’s strength and persistence were once again key factors. Latching on to a poor back header, McDowell kicked though the yellows Chris Brinksman's arms to get to the ball and then did well to control the looping ball into the empty net. Despite an obvious foul by the striker on the yellows keeper, proof if needed was the stud marks all over the keepers arms but the officials allowed the goal to stand.

Runcorn almost had a penalty 10 minutes before the break when Daniel Barrett looked to have fouled McDowell from behind, but despite acknowledging the infringement, referee Johnson rightly ruled it to be outside the area. the subsequent set piece was blocked. McDowell created a great chance for his hat trick soon after, when he used Sean Breen’s run as a decoy to go clear himself. He was never quite set though, and keeper Christopher Brinksman did well to block. The goalkeeper saved again 3 minutes later when Sean Breen was sent clear by yet another loose back pass. This time though the ball fell for Matty Atherton, who steered in the third from 18 yards. 3-0 at the break was no less than Runcorn deserved.

An astonishing turnaround saw roles completely reversed in the second period. The tone was set in the 47th minute when Runcorn, arguably still in the dressing room, allowed James Rushton-Woods to get clear down the right and cross for former Linnet Michael Howarth to make it 3-1. Rushton-Woods wasted the chance of the game 2 minutes later, when he missed a completely open goal. After being so dominant in the first half, Runcorn just didn’t get going and it took until the hour mark to create their first attack. Michael Burke should have headed back across goal for Sean Breen to tap in, but instead went for goal himself and saw his header saved.

Rushton-Woods was at it again on 62 minutes when he forced a scrambling save out of Richie Mottram who somehow managed to push the ball on to post and behind for a corner. Sean Pearson was caught by a late challenge as the midpoint of the half arrived, and as he received treatment on the sideline, Ashton pulled another back. The goal was again avoidable. Although Ashton mistakes led to Runcorn goals in the first half, they were as a result of severe Runcorn pressure. Matty Jones was under no pressure and could just have headed clear, but instead opted to try and glance back to Richie Mottram. When he failed to get enough on the ball, Howarth again was left with a simple second. With 23 minutes still to play, an air of tension started to fill a nervous MLS and Ashton were looking more and more like winning the game.

Bookings for Michael Ellison and Michael Burke were indicative of the pressure Runcorn were under. When Sean Pearson was eventually forced off as a result of the earlier tackle for which he didn’t even win a free kick, a reshuffle was necessary. Michael Simpson moved into midfield and Keith Wedge slotted in at full back. By now, it was about holding what we had, which was confirmed when Chris Lawton joined the fray and played the last 10 minutes just in front of the back four to provide extra protection. The closest Ashton came was a free kick in injury time, but Helio Andre blasted over. After a bemusing 5 minutes additional time, everyone in the MLS blew a collective sigh of relief when referee Johnson finally brought an end to proceedings.meaning Ashton for all there second half domination went home with nothing to show for there efforts.

It was a strange game tonight, with completely contrasting halves. Ashton didn’t make any player changes in the second half,just pushed further up the field and competed for every ball instead of leaving it for a team mate to do. and Runcorn just didn’t get going in the way they did in the first. A lack of concentration just after the break and individual errors once again led to goals against. It meant Runcorn had a three goal start, which continues to give some cause for concern. After four straight defeats though, the second half performance this evening should give the players some confidence for the games that are coming up. There are plenty of positives to take from the game as well, not least the impressive performance of Mike Crompton at full back, another youngster from our development squad, particularly in the second period when he made a full length run of the pitch leaving six runcorn players in is wake. Saturday sees the visit of the Cup holders Bacup Borough in the Challenge Cup, lets hope we can build on the second half display and get that much needed win.