2^nd March 2010, Runcorn Linnets FC v Nelson : 2-2
Two sides of the same coin

How the outcome of two football matches can be the same, but evoke completely contrasting emotions is perhaps why we all love football; the unpredictability, or in our case the predictable unpredictability. When the coin landed on heads on Saturday, we got a draw that filled us with pride, the same coin landed on tails tonight and we got a draw again; this time bewilderment and disappointment were left lingering. After seemingly cruising to a 2-0 half time lead, Runcorn had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Nelson. With Chris Blundell absent, Paul Fildes returned to the starting line up in the only change from Saturday. Rob Whyte had to settle for a place on the bench.

Runcorn appeared to have carried the spirit from Saturday into this evening’s game and started well, Matthew Atherton forcing a corner in the opening minute after a clever nutmeg. Nothing came of that corner, but 6 minutes later, David Dempsey tried from the other side and found Matthew Clarkson’s forehead to make it 1-0. It was just the start that Runcorn needed and the early goal created an open first half.

Jake Ellis, with a new found confidence after breaking his duck, was involved in most things attacking for Runcorn. Working well in the channels, he only just failed to find unmarked Runcorn players on more than one occasion, Nelson’s skipper John Luker proving to be the main obstacle. When Ellis finally overcame Luker on 17 minutes, his rasping 20-yard drive was pushed away by Nelson ‘keeper Christopher Thompson. Nelson’s Ashley Higgins had Phil Priestley urgently backpedalling moments later, only to see his dipping volley just clear the bar. Priestley was called into action again soon after when he tipped Andrew Smith’s curling effort around the post.

Half way through the half Jacob Wood, with his second attempt, delivered a superb back post cross that Paul Fildes couldn’t quite direct on target. Dempsey and Clarkson came up trumps again on 25 minutes as they produced a carbon copy of the first goal to make it 2-0. A static Nelson defence certainly helped, but they were two quality deliveries matched by equally impressive headers.

Runcorn should have put the game to bed before the break but squandered a string of opportunities to leave the visitors with a lifeline. Matthew Atherton latched on to another excellent David Dempsey through ball but just overran it before he could cross to Fildes or Ellis for a tap in. Atherton’s cross was then palmed down by Christopher Thompson in to the path of Lloyd Balazs who hit a first time volley over the bar. Balazs was off target again on 42 minutes when he reacted first to a blocked Jake Ellis effort, this time Balazs dragged wide. The final act of the half saw Balazs play in Ellis who pulled back perfectly for Fildes who completely missed his kick when opting for power rather than accuracy.

The second half couldn’t have been more different. Runcorn seemed to be happy to sit back and concede possession to Nelson, who grew in confidence with time on the ball. When Runcorn were in possession, hopeful long balls were the order of the day. Dempsey’s accurate first half passing deserted him and Atherton, who looked dangerous every time he attacked in the first half, barely got over the half way line. A tame David Sherlock volley was all Runcorn could muster in the opening 20 minutes.

The result was put in doubt when Nelson pulled one back on 70 minutes. Nelson moved the ball quickly across the edge of the 18-yard area to find Steven Maden who had time to control and shoot. Having got both hands to the ball Phil Priestley will have been disappointed to see it squirm in to the corner. The desired reaction didn’t arrive from Runcorn and, perhaps slightly leg weary from Saturday, it soon became apparent that 2-1 was the best case scenario.

A substitution each then facilitated the final twist. Firstly, Rob Whyte was introduced for David Sherlock on 73 minutes. Nelson responded 7 minutes later as they sensed they could still retrieve at least a point. A defender was replaced with an attacker and Nelson went with three at the back. It wasn’t long before Whyte made his key contribution to the game, unfortunately it resulted in the equaliser for Nelson. In his desire to get things moving for Runcorn and find a telling through ball, Whyte dwelled long enough to be dispossessed in a dangerous area. Nelson’s Andrew Smith capitalised, and then had more luck when Phil Priestley’s initial save bounced kindly for him to put the ball into an empty net. In a game that should have been completely out of sight, Runcorn were forced to hold on for the last 10 minutes. They managed to do so.

The final mention should go to the referee, Mr Scregg, who ran the game sensibly and was the best official we have had for some time.

Runcorn: Priestley, Wood, Ashcroft, Balazs, Bain (C), Clarkson, Sherlock (Whyte, 73), Dempsey (Hampson, 86), Ellis, Fildes, Atherton. Subs not used: Davies Coker, Webb.
Glossop: Thompson, Taylor (Clarkson, 80), Mugan, Nangle, Finch, Luker (C), Higgins, Maden, Calvert, Smith, Hargreaves. Subs not used: Wright, Whiteside.

NB. The views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Runcorn Linnets FC or its Board.