11^th August 2015, Runcorn Linnets FC v Ashton Athletic : 0-1 Sponsored by Tony Jones

When your team wins well, and with an element of comfort and/or style, it is very easy to return home after a game and wax lyrical through the medium of a match report. However when things haven't gone to plan, sometimes it can be difficult to sit down and pen your thoughts, so I apologise profusely for the tardiness of this installment in the documenting of Runcorn Linnets' early-season progress.

Ashton Athletic arrived at The Millbank Linnets Stadium on Tuesday evening, like their Cheshire counterparts, on the back of an opening day win. Linnets boss Joey Dunn kept faith with the same starting line-up that had successfully plundered three points from the seaside three days before, and a sizeable crowd of 345 entered the ground expecting a tough encounter.

The early stages were cagey, with the Linnets enjoying the lion's share of possession, and Ashton looking more than capable on the break. Kurt Sherlock and Freddie Potter seemed to be forging a genuine partnership for the yellow and greens, but Potter's substitution for a calf injury on ten minutes came as a blow. Ben Halfacre came on to replace him, and made his presence felt straight away in the middle of a melee in the Ashton area, that saw the Linnets unable to convert.

Ashton had the better chances, most notably from Sam Bailey who rattled the woodwork from distance, but the first half largely played out without major incident or pressure on either 'keeper. The second half however would not follow this pattern, and soon into the second period Michael Simpson received a straight red for a challenge. Richard Livingston received the same fate soon after for a challenge on Matt Atherton, before Kyle Hamid was cautioned for a challenge in the Ashton area. Kusoloka and Linnets' Francis Smith followed Kyle into the book, as proceedings continued to be dominated by the officials.

Ashton found the killer blow in the 68th minute when Adam Howard crossed for Paul Watson to fire past a helpless Richie Mottram. Jay Robinson and Adam Hilton were thrown into the fray as the Linnets chased an equaliser. Hilton received a caution for a challenge, as Runcorn tried to apply some pressure, with Smith seeing his shot saved, before Martin Pearson denied Robinson as he went through one on one. Matt Atherton twice kept the Linnets in the game with magnificent defending, a great block and an acrobatic goal line clearance keeping the visitors out.

Kurt Sherlock had the best chance to level, but miscued with the goal at his mercy, and the final say belonged to the ref who showed a second yellow to Kyle Hamid for a challenge, leaving the whole proceedings with an unsatisfactory feel. Ashton were the better side on the evening, and deserved their three points.

Runcorn Linnets: Mottram, Brislen, Atherton, Humphreys, Donohue, Ellison, Simpson, Hamid, Potter, Sherlock, Smith. Subs: Halfacre, Robinson, Hilton. Subs not used: Buckley, Weeder.

Ashton Atheltic: Pearson, Regan, Howard, Edwards, Rowlands, Wood, Watson, Bailet, Kusaloka, Mahoney, Livingston. Subs: Morris, Smith. Subs not used: Casey, Lawrence, Holden.

Attendance: 345

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