2^nd April 2016, Runcorn Linnets FC v AFC Blackpool : 5-1 Sponsored by Grangeside Motors

NWCFL Premier Division leaders Runcorn Linnets cruised past AFC Blackpool at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, and whilst never really finding their very top gear, the quality of goals, in particular the build-up and finishing must have been especially pleasing to manager Joey Dunn, as goals continue come from all over the park for the Cheshire club. Of course, The Linnets assault on the title has been aided by a fairly settled squad and starting line up, and once again the selected team had an air of reassurance about it, as did the surface at the Millbank, which held up well despite heavy rainfall in the preceding days.

The first chance fell to the visitors, with a cross drilled in but nobody on hand to get a touch, before the Linnets settled into an attacking routine, Freddie Potter headed over from Kurt Sherlock's free-kick, and then Sherlock volleyed just wide from distance after great build-up. Potter returned the favour for Sherlock with a probing cross that was just taken off the striker's foot by decent defending, whilst AFC Blackpool's only notable chance came from a snap shot that Dean Porter parried well.

Michael Simpson and Kyle Hamid combined well, allowing Sherlock to force a corner, and then he volleyed just wide from 25 yards out, after confident approach play from Mark Houghton and Matt Atherton. Freddie Potter tried his look from even further out, but his brilliant lobbed effort went just wide, and the apart on deadlock was finally eased apart in the 20th minute, when Potter headed down Michael White's forward ball to Mark Houghton, and he stroked home a delicious volley from outside the box to give The Linnets a deserved lead.

The football from the home side remained completely easy on the eye, a great pass from Potter found Sherlock who chipped just over, and then just after the half hour Kyle Hamid eased the nerves on the terraces with a peach of a free kick, struck home from all of twenty yards, after some indecisiveness as to who should actually strike the ball! The third goal followed quickly, Kyle Hamid again, rounding the keeper and finishing from an almost impossible angle with a deft and skilful curling shot that capped an imperious half from the fearless midfielder. Michael Simpson was unlucky to hit the post with his shot, after yet more great work from Potter, and the half finished with a goal for AFC Blackpool, the referee spotting a handball, and Aaron Fleming finishing with aplomb from the spot, slightly taking the shine off what had been a thoroughly enjoyable display from Runcorn Linnets.

The second half understandably couldn't live up to its predecessor, and a more resolute AFC Blackpool came back into the game, giving the match a flatness and attritional quality for a long period. Kyle Hamid went in search of his hat-trick, seeing his header saved after great work from Simpson driving forward and Sherlock's cross. Although a quiet afternoon for Michael White and River Humphreys at the heart of defence, River was extremely unlucky to pick up a yellow card for what looked like one of the best tackles of the game, in a tie that had very little malice or questionable conduct on the pitch.

However the game was put beyond any lingering doubt in a devastating three minute spell. Michael Ellison picked up the ball in midfield, beat two opposition players with ease and thundered a superlative strike from thirty yards to make it four-one, and Freddie Potter rose highest to head home the Linnets fifth moments later to send the home fans into raptures. Both keeper's were kept on their toes in the closing stages, with the visitors Adam Caunce denying Hamid twice with great saves, and Dean Porter equal to everything thrown at him, as The Linnets saw the game out with ease, with time for a run out for Franny Smith, Kyle Armstrong and Tom Hardwick. The final whistle sounded to a thunderous reception for both teams, that seemed to last for an eternity as news filtered in from around the grounds. A weekend to savour for Linnets fans with The Linnets Ladies team winning their semi-final the following day, but there would be no time for any resting on laurels as a tough trip to AFC Darwen in midweek is next on the menu for Joey Dunn and his yellow and green army.

Runcorn Linnets: Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matthew Atherton, River Humphreys, Michael White, Michael Ellison (C), Michael Simpson, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Kurt Sherlock, Mark Houghton. Subs: Kyle Armstrong, Franny Smith, Tom Hardwick. Subs Not Used: Ryan Cox, Steve Jones.
AFC Blackpool: Adam Caunce, Matt Richardson, Ben Seear, Paul Carroll, Marc Taylor (C), Zack Wilkes, Ben Duffield, Chris Farrar, Andrew Leggett, Aaron Fleming, Stephen Betteridge. Sub: Kevin Ford, Aran Bottomley, Charlie Waters, Boubacar Kaba.

Attendance: 309

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