The Northern Premier League

7th May 2016, Padiham v Runcorn Linnets FC : 0-4

By Dave Bettley

THEY came, they saw but, once again, couldn't quite conquer.

Runners-up for a third consecutive season, despite a mighty final-day push, Runcorn Linnets are wondering just what they have to do to take that final step and be champions.

They scored the highest number of wins in the North West Counties League Premier Division over the campaign with 32 victories while 35 goals conceded was the fewest in the league. But, despite them accruing 98 points from 42 games, there is again nowhere to go for this unluckiest of teams. No promotion. Not even a play-off.

Crumbs of comfort were thin on the ground at full-time as the players sank to their knees, knowing that they had given absolutely everything over the weeks and months and that they could have done precious little, if anything, more on Saturday.

Barring a mathematical improbability, all they could do was to win themselves (which they did in style) and look for rivals Colne to slip up (there was the problem).

What was uplifting, however, is that the Linnets did themselves full justice over 90 pulsating minutes and made the journey more than worthwhile for their 250-plus following at The Arbories Memorial Ground.

With Colne two points clear and five goals better off at kick-off, the likelihood was that Linnets would have to win and Colne lose at 1874 Northwich for the title to come to Runcorn.

Yet, with Colne being made to wait until the 83rd minute for their 1-0 winner and Linnets scoring at regular intervals, hopes remained high until well into the afternoon.

If 1874 could at least hold out at Barton Stadium, then Joey Dunn's side were looking capable of scoring the six necessary for Linnets to prevail on goal difference.

The tearful scenes at the final whistle, coming so soon after the heartbreak of also finishing second in 2014 and 2015, will continue to haunt the Linnets for quite some time.

However, living possibly longer in the memory will be the high level of performance from the team in one of the weekend's 'deciders' and the stunning quality of the two first-half goals which kept the dream alive.

It wasn't a case of Padiham letting guests have the run of their home. Central defender Martin Parkes made three or four crucial, potentially goal-saving blocks as Runcorn eyed an early breakthrough while his central defensive partner, ex-Linnets favourite Matt Cross put past allegiances to one side to perform with 100% commitment and typical composure.

It didn't matter, however, that Runcorn's initial pressure resulted in little close-quarters action for Padiham's young 'keeper, Jamie Bradley as the Linnets' ability from long range proved more than enough to beat anyone!

Firstly, the outstanding Kyle Hamid bagged the first of his two goals, this one from 35 yards, and then River Humphreys, the soon-to-be-crowned Supporters Club Player of the Year, came forth from defence to unleash an astounding shot from even further out. His equally unstoppable effort bounced down off the crossbar and in.

A 2-0 margin at half-time could easily have been doubled. Hamid beat Bradley all ends up with a stingingly accurate direct free-kick from outside the area only for it to rebound off the right post while Kurt Sherlock also came close, not quite able to keep down his shot.

Padiham were able to stabilise things, if only fleetingly, after the break and Dean Porter had to show good reactions to keep out two or three dangerous shots or crosses. After resisting the pressure, Runcorn found their second wind, however, and their third goal came from a classic counter attack.

Launched from a defensive situation, deep in their own territory, it culminated in Hamid carefully guiding home a Sherlock pass which had initially looked to be rolling away from him.

Antony Hickey was foiled in a one-on-one, perhaps having too long to think about it. But the raised expectancy level in the crowd that it could still be the Linnets' day was suddenly and abruptly lowered. News filtered through from Mid Cheshire that Colne had scored – leaving Northwich needing two without reply in the last seven minutes (or just the one should Runcorn bag three more unanswered goals in the little time that remained).

The second half at Winsford had started before the resumption up in East Lancashire. So by the time Hamid's superb right-wing cross forced Parkes to head into his own goal - under pressure from Freddie Potter at the far post - the game was finally up for Runcorn, after nine months full of excellent performances, determination and effort.

The emotional scenes at the final whistle told the story, Padiham's former Linnets manager Steve Wilkes and his players noticably joining in the applause (delivered more in praise than sympathy) from the Linnets faithful for Joey Dunn's side.

Once again, they had led the table for much of another long, gruelling season but again fallen just short, this time by two points.

Padiham: Jamie Bradley, David Hankin, Saydou Bamba, Michael West, Martin Parkes (capt), Matt Cross, Alexander Murphy, Dominic Slaven, Curtis Haley, Kieron Pickup, Sean Cookson. Subs: Reece Pearce, Jordan Scott, Samuel Farrow, Lee Botham, Andrew Fitzgerald.

Runcorn Linnets: Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matt Atherton, River Humphreys, Michael White, Michael Ellison (capt), Francis Smith, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Antony Hickey, Kurt Sherlock. Subs: Ryan Cox, Tom Hardwick, Mark Houghton. Not used: Michael Simpson, Steve Jones.

Attendance: 346. 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 6563250 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.