15^th April 2014, St Helens Town v Runcorn Linnets FC : 0-3

Runcorn Linnets produced a commanding performance and a particularly dominant second-half display to take all three points from St Helens at Brocstedes Park. Manager Joey Dunn made two changes, with Joe Fielding and Mark Houghton replacing Martin Crowder and Matt Atherton respectively, in a line-up that was again spearheaded by Kev Towey up front.

The Linnets made a solid start, Michael Ellison and Matt Cross at the heart of early movement, on a dry and hard pitch, as Runcorn forced their first corner on ten minutes.

St Helens 'keeper Ciaran Gibson rose to the challenge for the first of many occasions, as the Linnets were guilty of playing lofted balls into the imposing home goalie. Mark Houghton and Michael Simpson combined well as the Linnets pushed forward without making any clear-cut chances. The build-up play remained excellent throughout the first half, with attractive passing but the Linnets could not find the final ball to unlock the home defence, marshalled by the excellent Lee Crompton.

Runcorn's closest chance of the half came from Kyle Hamid. With Cross shaping to aim a wide free-kick into the area, fellow midfielder Hamid shot instead from the difficult, seemingly impossible angle - curling a scorcher against the crossbar, with Towey unable to put the rebound in. Simpson then beat two men but shot just over, as Runcorn continued to dominate possession.

The second half started in a similar vein, with Houghton unluckily adjudged to have fouled when looking likely to score after great build-up from Michael Duffy and Towey. St Helens had their best chance as the ball was deflected straight into the arms of Andy Robertson when it looked easier to score. Robertson again put in a commanding performance and went on to protect the clean sheet with a brilliant save in the dying minutes.

Joe Fielding again looked comfortable in winning the ball, as Runcorn tried to find the elusive goal. It came on 54 minutes, with Towey turning two defenders and shooting into the bottom corner for a goal which lifted the spirits visibly as the Linnets seemed to step up a gear in style and confidence.

A great ball in from the excellent Chris Lomax was just nicked off Houghton's head by good defending, and Lomax himself had a decent shot blocked after a great combination and hold-up play from Towey. Crompton got in a clearing header as Michael Burke was about to pounce, and Michael Ellison couldn't steer his own header goal bound from the ensuing corner. Hamid finished the contest with two goals in as many minutes, first slotting home neatly after Houghton's missed chance, and then turning skillfully to again make the finish look easier than it was for 3-0 to the visitors.

Moments later, Houghton tried an audacious lob that skimmed the bar. Edward Richardson received a caution after scything down Houghton, the only bad challenge in a good spirited game that was once again well officiated. Towey's final action saw him shoot straight at the 'keeper, before Lee Thompson came on to a warm welcome from the large Linnets away following. Thompson immediately released Hamid, who played the ball out wide to Mark Houghton, before volleying the return ball over from distance. Adam Wade and Gavin Salmon also came on, with Salmon particularly dangerous as Runcorn looked to extend their lead. Thompson came closest in the latter stages, chesting down and volleying from outside the box, with Gibson catching the ball at full stretch.

Salmon went on a mazy run, beating two defenders but not quite being able to get a shot away, and the referee brought proceedings to a close.

A great effort and result from the Linnets. The passing and build-up play on a difficult surface was a joy to watch, and once Towey had given them the lead, confidence seemed to seep back through the ranks. Both youngsters, Fielding and Lomax, had excellent evenings, and the result cements the Linnets in second place, with three games to go while extending a run of form that has seen just one league defeat since November.

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