The Northern Premier League

26th April 2016, Bootle v Runcorn Linnets FC : 1-0

by Dave Bettley

THE odds against Runcorn Linnets improving on their runners-up finish of the last two seasons lengthened dramatically as they paid a potentially heavy price in a last-gasp defeat on Tuesday.

Bootle, who had four days earlier succumbed to a single-goal loss in the dying minutes at Linnets' title rivals Colne, may well have played a telling part in the outcome of the North West Counties League's Premier Division title race.

Ironically, their midweek winner came from Liam Loughlin, a Linnets player during their inaugural campaign of 2006-07, when the fledgling Runcorn outfit also finished second - to Winsford United in what was then the NWCL's Division Two.

The promotion gained at that time as consolation for missing out on top spot is a luxury afforded only to champions of Step 5 leagues, as Runcorn know only too well.

They must now rely on an improbable collapse by Colne, who have the opportunity to go a point clear when playing the first of their two games in hand tomorrow (Wednesday) at AFC Liverpool and could wrap up the championship before the final day of the season.

If the Delta Taxis Stadium proves to have been the graveyard for Runcorn's ambitions to end their run of near misses, that will only enhance its reputation as the Linnets' unhappiest hunting ground. It is one on which they have never won.

What Joey Dunn's side would have given for just a small proportion of the firepower they had shown at home, when putting seven past The Bucks earlier in the season.

Linnets never looked like getting on such a roll this time and despite a lot of activity in and around his penalty area, Bootle's 'keeper Ryan Jones had relatively little to do on a night when Runcorn again looked anxious, knowing that nothing less than a victory would be enough.

Skipper Michael Ellison, fellow midfieldman Francis Smith and striker Kurt Sherlock all missed out, due to injuries sustained in Saturday's comeback home victory over 1874 Northwich, and Linnets were further hindered as Michael Simpson had to be withdrawn at half-time.

Utility man Simpson had done his best to run off a knock sustained in one of two late challenges which brought first-half cautions for Bootle players, who were later joined in the referee's bad books by Linnets' stand-in captain Kyle Hamid after a pull-back foul.

Despite Antony Hickey always looking eager and lively, Runcorn flattered to deceive going forward, failing to really test Jones who was also well protected by strong defending by his centre backs.

Mark Houghton could have given Linnets a perfect start when set up by Freddie Potter's knock forward. But with the Bootle rearguard in close enough proximity to rush him, the midfieldman couldn't keep his shot down sufficiently.

Hickey held play up well on the left to get in a cross which Steve Jones flick headed on at the near post but the ball just evaded Potter on the opposite side of goal.

Bootle's best first-half effort came midway through, Dominic Marie swiftly and sweetly turning his marker on the right edge of the box to shoot dangerously close but wide of the far post.

Matt Atherton made good progress from left back to deliver promising crosses but the resolute Bootle defence and the hard, bouncy pitch frustrated the visitors.

Houghton cleared the bar again on the half-volley from Simpson's right-wing centre, but the interval arrived with no real sign of a goal from either side.

Runcorn began the second half with renewed vigour, Kyle Armstrong having replaced the stricken Simpson.

Two minutes in, another shot from midfieldman Jones caused unexpected problems for his namesake in Bootle's goal. It reared up at him off the unpredictable surface but the 'keeper was relieved to gather the ball as spun behind him.

The Bucks withstood the onslaught to send a warning to Runcorn with a shot which came back off Dean Porter's crossbar – by some margin, the closest either side had come to breaking the deadlock.

Potter and Hickey again combined to give the Linnets another sight of goal and this time, good fortune favoured Bootle as a defender's attempted clearance struck Houghton but rebounded over the top.

Runcorn were looking nervy, abandoning their good approach play of the first half for largely hit-and-hope high balls, which played right into the hands (or onto the heads) of Bootle's defence, who just would not be shaken off.

Ryan Cox replaced his former AFC Liverpool team-mate Jones as Runcorn's cause became increasingly desperate.

The substitute saw a shot blocked at close quarters shortly after Runcorn's Porter had been forced into a tougher save as Kieron Haligan seized on the Linnets' failure to clear their lines with a useful long-range effort.

Young Taylor Kennerley replaced Houghton in a last throw of the dice as manager Dunn tried to engineer a much-needed victory but the points were snatched away from the Linnets in the 89th minute.

Michael White lost his footing on the left and the ball found its way into the middle, where home substitute Loughlin couldn't miss - and didn't.

White was thrust into an emergency striking role in a bid to salvage something but time, as well as inspiration, ran out on the Linnets, although they fought hard to the end.

To have any chance of glory, Runcorn must now bank on Colne dropping points in two of their next three games while winning themselves at Squires Gate on Saturday. It would then all hinge on results on the final day when Runcorn go to Padiham and Colne visit 1874 Northwich.

Bootle: Ryan Jones, Kieron Haligan, Joel Powell, Steven Hoy, Dominic Murphy, Michael Ordish, Josh Holden, Daniel O'Connor, Tom Peterson, Josh Hamilton, Dominic Marie. Subs: Liam Loughlin, Jackson Ellis, Adam Burton, Dominic Reid, Mark Kilroy.

Runcorn Linnets: Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matthew Atherton, Tom Hardwick, Michael White, Michael Simpson (Kyle Armstrong 46 mins), Mark Houghton (Taylor Kennerley 85 mins), Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Antony Hickey, Steve Jones (Ryan Cox 72 mins). Unused subs: Kurt Sherlock, Adam Donohue.

Attendance:228.

Before kick-off on Tuesday, spectators had joined in a minute's applause to honour the 96 and their families, after the jury in the Hillsborough inquests had returned a verdict of unlawful killing.



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

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