The Northern Premier League

14th November 2015, Runcorn Linnets FC v Bootle : 7-1

Runcorn Linnets equalled their Millbank Linnets Stadium scoring record with an impressive demolition of in-form Bootle in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

With many league fixtures falling foul of the persistent rainfall of the previous few days, the Linnets' playing surface looked lush, green and immaculate; an absolute credit to those who had worked so hard on it through the week.

And all the hard-working volunteers were rewarded as the Linnets put in a performance to match the conditions, scoring seven times to move above the Merseysiders in the table, menacingly sitting in third position.

Skipper Michael Ellison and Mark Houghton replaced suspended duo Francis Smith and Kyle Hamid, as Linnets supremo Joey Dunn shuffled the pack slightly in midfield. The Linnets started brightly, but Bootle carved out the first real chance of the game, Shaun Tuck forcing Dean Porter into a smart save. Ex-Bootle goalie Porter, currently number one at Runcorn, had a decent game, and was forced into a string of close-range stops throughout a first half that was largely controlled by the away team.

Good work from Kurt Sherlock saw Michael Simpson's shot deflected wide for a corner, and Kyle Armstrong hit a post with his shot at full stretch. Skipper Ellison thwarted Dom Marie when the Bootle player should maybe have opened the scoring.

Michael Simpson's clever through ball wouldn't drop for a Linnets player, surprising as Antony Hickey seemed to be covering every blade of grass on the pitch. Runcorn were repeatedly denied by a string of close off-side decisions, with Freddie Potter having the biggest grievance. With the majority of pressure coming from Bootle, Porter saved again, this time from Jackson Ellis.

On the half hour, Bootle took the lead, a decent break falling for Tuck who finished smartly. Simpson picked up a caution for a rash challenge, and Porter again denied Tuck.

A similar fate befell Potter at the other end with ex-Linnets stopper Dave Moran saving well. Houghton found a great cross that Potter couldn't quite convert as the Linnets increased the offensive pressure.

Hickey's shot was well saved, but when a long 42nd-minute clearance gave him a run at goal, the Linnets forward made no mistake to level the game up. Two minutes later, the home side had a lead, Sherlock's endeavour winning the ball and his cross was met by Potter to finish neatly.

The game had turned on its head. Houghton almost added a third, and the referee's whistle sounded for an interval brew, with both managers needing a quick rethink of the old half time team talk and Bootle wondering how they were sipping their tea a goal behind having probably been the better side. The second half was a different proposition as the Linnets attacked from start to finish. Hickey's chance was well saved by Moran, who then brilliantly turned Simpson's shot over the bar, after great work from Potter.

However, Moran couldn't keep out Kyle Armstrong's volley from the resulting corner, and in the 48th minute Runcorn had a two-goal cushion. The pressure had been incessant, and when Sherlock found Simpson who in turn picked out Potter, the striker made no mistake and it was 4-1.

Kurt Sherlock had a snap shot from distance, as the Linnets attacking unit worked tirelessly. Simpson released Potter, who played in Houghton, and when he was unceremoniously dumped off the ball, the referee had no option but to award a penalty.

He did have an option to punish the offender who may have been the last man, but opted against any card. The officials were unobtrusive and sensible all afternoon, and that made for a better spectacle all round. Michael White dispatched the penalty with his usual calmness and aplomb, and after just over an hour the Linnets were five-one to the good.

Matt Atherton showed miraculous skill to wriggle away from three players and force a corner, and Joey Dunn decided to make changes, with Adam Wade, Jason Carey and Taylor Kennerley (the latter making his debut) entering the arena in quick(ish) succession, for Houghton, Potter and Sherlock, respectively.

Chances kept on coming for The Linnets, Brislen and the tireless Hickey going close. With minutes to play, there was no sign of the home side taking their foot off the gas.

Kennerley's sweet cross set up Hickey who volleyed home the sixth, and Hickey chased down and set up Adam Wade to finish expertly to make it seven.

The whistle sounded and the players deserved their plaudits from the soaked but ecstatic crowd. The second-half performance from Runcorn was stunning - their application and effort impeccable and their finishing a pure master-class.

The kind of afternoon that makes it all worth while...only the second time that Linnets have scored seven in a competitive match since returning to Runcorn in 2010 – the feat first being achieved when Abbey Hey were beaten by the same 7-1 scoreline on January 4th 2014.

Runcorn Linnets: Porter, Brislen, Atherton, Armstrong, White, Ellison (c), Simpson, Houghton, Potter, Sherlock, Hickey. Subs: Wade, Carey, Kennerley. (Not used): Donohue, Halfacre.

Bootle: Moran (c), Haligan, Kelly, Dodd, Kilroy, Ordish, Marie, Tuck, O'Connor, Hamilton, Ellis. Subs: Peterson, Hay, Peacock, Coulton, McGrane.

Attendance: 302 Click here to view images of this match



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

Webb's of Runcorn
Cardiac Risk in the Young
Charter Standard Club
Respect FC - Uniting against the ugly side of football


Site Last Updated
19:38 9/8/2023

This site has had 6563273 Visitors


For comments, questions or corrections please Contact Us.
Payments can be made to the club through our Online Checkout facility via our payment page.
The site and its content are Copyright © 2001-2024 Runcorn Linnets FC. All rights reserved.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
This site uses Cookies. If you do not consent to this, then please switch them off in your browser, or leave now.