1^st September 2015, Runcorn Linnets FC v AFC Liverpool : 2-1 Sponsored by North West Soccer Limited

Another late rally – the kind we have been used to seeing over the last couple of seasons - from the Linnets was enough to win this midweek fixture against hitherto unbeaten and free-scoring AFC Liverpool in the NWCL Premier Division.

After the weekend's emphatic win in the FA Cup, the Linnets came into this game in confident form.

Early possession and good pressing had the Linnets in the visitors' half for most of the early minutes; two successive corners were so near to bringing the opening goal, an audacious back heel by Mark Houghton nearly catching the 'keeper out it but didn't carry enough pace to beat him.

Kyle Hamid had returned to the side after a one-game suspension, taking on the captain's armband, and was a thorn in AFC's side for most of the game.

His quick thinking and movement invited some heavy challenges throughout. But when he was allowed to play, his pace gave him the opportunity to get down the right from where an inch-perfect cross looked like creating the opening goal until it deflected off a defender - going narrowly wide and away for a corner that unfortunately came to nothing.

At the other end, a long-range effort on 13 minutes from AFC's Steven Jones, going over the bar, was the first effort on goal from the visitors. Three minutes later, Hamid was again in the thick of the action and the victim of another foul, the match official choosing to discuss the issue rather than caution.

A few minutes later, Hamid was involved in a 50/50 challenge that brought the Linnets skipper a yellow card much to the frustrations of the home crowd, Kurt Sherlock was next to win a free-kick, a ball played into feet having been calmly brought under control. A quick turn had his marker beaten until a rash challenge ended the move.

Just after 20 minutes, Richie Mottram in the Linnets goal made a good save, a ball played across the box at pace being deflected towards goal but the home 'keeper was alert and made the save look comfortable.

Linnets No.9 Freddie Potter had been closely marked in the opening 25 minutes and not afforded any room to work. This changed when a perfect pass from Franny Smith set up Potter for a 20-yard curling effort from the right side of the box that had looked to be heading for the top-left corner until Ryan Jones in the AFC goal plucked the ball out of the air to keep the scores level,

A couple of minutes later, a lofted pass into the box from Matty Atherton was controlled by Potter but another heavy challenge soon had the striker on the floor with the official waving play on - again to the disbelief of the Linnets faithful and players alike.

The inevitable happened, the Linnets getting frustrated with some of the heavy challenges and not being able to create that killer opening. On 32 minutes, a free- kick awarded to AFC on the left was floated into the box, headed clear to the right for a quick pass, hard and low, back across the penalty area. It caught everyone ball watching except for AFC's No.10 Francis Barry, who had ghosted in at the far post to tap home despite the best efforts from Mottram to keep the ball out.

The visitors had a 0-1 lead somewhat against the run of play.

Joey Dunn's team are not known for lying down, and this was the case again. Within seven minutes of conceding, the Linnets restored parity, largely thanks to an amazing run from midfield by Kurt Sherlock whose control and speed had him going past four AFC players.

The run was abruptly interrupted as he was crudely brought down inside the box, a sure penalty if ever there was one. However, to the match official's credit, he waved advantage as the ball broke to Kyle Hamid, who still had work to do but slotted past the advancing 'keeper to score the equaliser, and rightly praise Sherlock for his efforts.

The last five minutes of the half had the Linnets pressing forward again, with further chances falling to Hamid and Potter but frantic defending kept the scores level going into the half-time break.

The second half started very much like the first; early exchanges had the ball bouncing around with neither side keeping possession for long periods. Potter had an early chance, firing over from a good position.

AFC looked to have re-taken the lead on 50 minutes; a cross from the right took a wicked deflection off Linnets' Kyle Armstrong and was heading for the bottom left corner of Mottram's goal. However, the 'keeper was at full stretch to make a fantastic save - tipping the ball round the post.

The Linnets had some defending to do. AFC had come out in the second half looking to push the home side back at every opportunity with the visitors settling quicker than their hosts. On 62 minutes, Michael White once again showed his qualities as the top defender he is.

The ball had broken to an unmarked player on the edge of the Linnets box - the striker, with time to control, unleashed a shot that White threw himself at with the ball cannoning off him to safety. Another attack, a couple of minutes later, had Mottram watching closely as the ball cleared the crossbar.

The home side's passing and movement was good at times but the final ball was letting them down when in good positions. Sherlock found space with 15 minutes to go, his long-range effort being comfortably saved by the visiting 'keeper.

Another chance fell to Potter with 10 minutes remaining. Good work again by Sherlock culminated in his cross-cum-shot that eluded the 'keeper as well as Potter at the far post.

A minute later, Potter must have thought he had scored. Hamid, working hard in the middle, found Atherton whose cross from wide left bypassed everyone in the box. A quickfire return back across goal landed to Potter four yards out but a last-ditch challenge had Potter holding head in his hands as the ball went over the bar, when it had looked certain to bring a goal.

With seven minutes of the 90 left, Joey Dunn sent on Adam Hilton in place of Kieron Brislen, the winger immediately keen to get on the ball. Within a minute, Hilton sent Kyle Armstrong free down the right and his perfect cross found Potter at the back post.

The big striker outjumped a defender to head the ball back across the goal. The effort had the 'keeper beaten and despite seemingly taking an age to find the net, it gave the Linnets an altimately decisive 2-1 lead.

The goal was richly derserved by Potter for all his hard work throughout the game.

AFC made a change of their own in the remaining minutes with Weston leaving the field and Essery coming on. Inevitably, the visitors pressed in the final few minutes, looking for an equaliser. A misplaced back pass from Atherton presented the visitors with a late corner, comfortably dealt with by Mottram

With four minutes of added time to be played, the Linnets brought on James Buckley for goal hero and Millbank favourite Freddie Potter who left the field with the fans chanting his name.

With two minutes of injury time remaining, AFC had one final chance. Striker Jones, inside the box, was closed down by Mottram, the striker opting to go to ground cheaply as the 'keeper closed him down. Despite claims for a spot-kick, the referee with a clear view could see there had been no contact and waved the appeals away. much to the frustration of the striker.

So another good win for the Linnets, who showed character and discipline to overcome a tough-tackling and physical AFC Liverpool side, who had at times caused the home side problems with some good football of their own.

The Linnets were equal to this and eventually won the day, playing in the right way and persevering with the brand of football the home crowd know what this team is capable of producing.

Runcorn Linnets: Mottram, Brislen, Atherton, Humphreys, White, Armstrong, Houghton, Hamid, Potter, Sherlock, Smith. Subs: Hilton, Buckley. Not used: Halfacre, Cross, Kennerley.

Attendance: 330

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