9^th April 2016, Colne v Runcorn Linnets FC : 2-0

COLNE avenged their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Runcorn Linnets earlier in the campaign in this North West Counties Football League top- of-the-table clash.

In doing so, they ensured that they could go a point clear with victory in their game in hand against Atherton Collieries this Tuesday as the title race swung marginally back in their favour.

A great crowd of 554 packed into Holt House, ensuring an electric atmosphere for a game high on intensity but lacking in quality.

The opening stages were extremely cagey, but the first chance fell to Colne's Ben Wharton, whose shot was blocked on seven minutes after a long ball into the Linnets area.

Matt Atherton had the first chance for the visitors. After a great one-two between Kyle Hamid and Mark Houghton, the ball returned to Atherton who shot wide.

Runcorn weathered the early Colne storm with relative ease, but then failed to really get going themselves. Mark Houghton put a great ball in, but Freddie Potter wasted the cross. On 19 minutes Kyle Hamid was scythed down, the first in a series of unnecessary challenges.

Moments later Kurt Sherlock was hacked down from behind, and his ensuing free-kick just eluded Mike White. More good build-up from The Linnets followed. Sherlock exchanged passes with Hamid and fed Houghton, he in turn played in Sherlock who was fouled again.

Kyle Hamid took the free-kick, which was well saved by Aghayere. The next chance again fell to Sherlock, who sent his snapshot wide, and after more neat one-touch play, Hamid found Sherlock but the unlucky striker was offside.

Despite the half chances, the game remained scrappy; both sides were guilty of giving up possession far too easily, especially in the middle of the park. The 15-minute period up to half-time saw the Linnets have their best spell, Hamid once again finding Sherlock in the box, but the ball wouldn't fall for him.

At the other end, Dean Porter was equal to the little that he had to deal with. River Humphreys picked up a yellow for a tough challenge, and although the Linnets had the better of the half, Colne finished with a flourish, Joel Melia's cross being headed to safety.

The second half continued in a similar vein, Kyle Hamid was flattened by Colne skipper Simon Nangle, Kurt Sherlock tried to catch Aghayere off guard with the free-kick but his shot went over.

Just after the 10 minute mark in the second half Colne took a lead, with the Linnets failing to clear their lines twice and Jason Hart thundering a volley goalwards - the ball deflecting in to send the home fans into raptures.

Ryan Cox was introduced immediately for The Linnets, and Kyle Hamid was booked for a two-footed lunge that could easily have warranted a dismissal.

Colne were in the ascendency, and Runcorn struggled to get possession, and when they did, aimless balls into the Colne box were easily gathered by the excellent Aghayere.

With Sherlock shooting off target, The Linnets were caught by a big punt forward, and Hart latched onto the long ball and finished sweetly to give Colne a two-goal cushion that they really never looked like surrendering.

The Linnets continued to push forward, Hamid's free-kick was spilled by the keeper, Mark Houghton waded in for the free ball and was flattened by Ben Hoskin for his trouble.

Both players received yellow cards, which for the Colne defender meant a red card, and with Mike White placing the ball on the penalty spot, the referee gave a free-kick the other way.

Franny Smith came on and started to spray around some impressive passes, the first of which found Michael Simpson clear on goal in the box. He was bundled to the ground but again the free-kick went the way of the home side.

Despite the odd decent ball from Smith, the final ball from The Linnets lacked any penetration at all. Most of the play was in the Colne half, but the home side still looked likely to score on the counter attack, and Hart missed a glorious chance for his hat-trick, heading wide from close range.

Matt Atherton was hauled down near the corner but the free-kick came to nothing, and then Atherton had perhaps the visitors' best chance, seeing his header saved in the dying moments while Simpson and Potter both sent shots high and wide. Crosses in from Simpson and Hamid were easily dealt with by Aghayere, who grew in stature and calmness throughout the game, and The Linnets' final chance was headed over by Potter.

The final whistle was greeted by ecstatic scenes from the home fans, who celebrated a deserved victory. The pendulum swings once again, as it is bound to do a few more times before this title is decided.

Colne: Aghayere, Hoskin, Pugh, Coleman, Stott, Nangle (capt), Melia, Anderson, Hart, Wharton, Morrison. Subs: Craig, Jordan, Taylor, Boyle, Young.

Runcorn Linnets: Porter, Brislen, Atherton, Humphreys, White, Ellison (capt), Simpson, Hamid, Potter, Sherlock, Houghton. Subs: Cox, Jones, Smith. (Not used): Hardwick, Armstrong.

Attendance:554.

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