An off day in every respect as nine-man Linnets are blitzed at Congleton

Jay Lee (second player from the right) sees red as the second Runcorn player to be dismissed.

Congleton Town 6 Runcorn Linnets 0 

Report by Dave Bettley; pictures from Kelly Jones

An afternoon that started badly only got worse as Congleton inflicted Runcorn's heaviest defeat of the season to cement a play-off place in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.

Linnets, trailing from the fourth minute, not only suffered a big defensive hit but were left to play half an hour with nine men after two contentious dismissals. 

Harvey Washington had been sent off for a second bookable foul just before half-time, when the referee could just as easily have awarded the free-kick the other way. 

Then, approaching the hour, youngster Jay Lee received a straight red for handball on the line, Linnets claiming the offence was not deliberate and should therefore have carried a yellow card.

Much of the impetus has been lost in Runcorn's play since a last-gasp equaliser conceded at Stafford Rangers last month put paid to their slim promotion hopes. 

They were clearly second best against a confident Congleton side, who played to their strengths on the poorest playing surface Linnets have encountered over the campaign. 

The hosts got the ball forward quickly without any thrills with their marauding centre forward Max McCarthy posing a threat to which the Runcorn had no real answer. 

It's all hands to the pump as Linnets prepare to defend a corner in the first half.

McCarthy scored three of the Bears goals and the scoreline could have been even heavier. 

Runcorn's defence has been a a big problem all season, 66 goals against in 40 league games telling its own story. 

Remedying this will be high priority for Brad Cooke as he starts afresh next season. 

Congleton scored at either end of the first half through McCarthy (4 mins) and Ethan Hartshorn (45+1 mins). In between, they had struck the underside of the bar through captain Darren Chadwick from a corner. 

Washington was dismissed in the 43rd minute after getting involved with McCarthy as they battled for possession near the touchline, both ending up on the floor. 

The visitors again have it all to do in defence.

At worst, it seemed like six of one and half a dozen of the other but if anything, Washington was the player forced off the ball. 

However, the Runcorn man's first booking, just seconds earlier, clearly counted against him. 

Immediately after the interval, the visitors brought on newly-crowned Player of the Season Peter Wylie in defence for midfielder Reece Daly. 

Reece Daly receives treatment for his foot injury from Sara Seo.

Daly had stud marks on his foot after a challenge, which the unhappy Cooke felt had warranted a clear penalty at 1-0. 

With the second minute two minutes old, centre back Callum Grogan was beaten wide on the Congleton left, the ball being played into the middle for McCarthy to accept a simple opportunity. 

It was always going to be a long second half for Linnets. But with 58 minutes played, problems increased when they were reduced to nine men. 

McCarthy made easy work of the spot-kick, which followed Lee's controversial dismissal. 

Lee had only come into the side after the withdrawal of Eden Gumbs, who tweaked a knee during the warm-up on the perilous pitch. 

Luke Wall tries to provide the Runcorn defence with some respite.

The ball had initially struck the young left back in the face and Runcorn believed that  subsequent contact with the hand - after Lee had 'headed' away from goal to ricochet onto his wrist - was accidental. 

Law 12 states: 

"Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a non-deliberate handball offence and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned." 

It was when two men short that Runcorn produced their best attacking endeavours of the game. 

Runcorn could find no way past David Parton despite their best eefforts after being reduced to nine men. Joe Ferguson (right) was one of two players denied by Congleton's 'keeper.

Luke Wall, by now playing centrally instead of out wide, fed the ball through to right back Joe Ferguson, who couldn't get enough power on his shot to beat 'keeper David Parton. 

Naim Arsan got fully behind Runcorn's next effort but the outcome was the same. Parton saved well to protect his clean sheet. 

Linnets had found it difficult enough with 11 men, let alone nine. Further goals - for Shaun Brisley (69 mins) and Peter Williams (87 mins) - piled on their agony while enhancing Congleton's prospects of a home semi-final. 

After losing three of the last four matches, Runcorn must lick their wounds and pick themselves up for Monday's final home game of the season.

They need to restore confidence ahead of a last-day trip to title contenders Hednesford Town - not to mention the Cheshire Senior Cup final against Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday, May 6th. 

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Jay Lee, Jorge Dwyer (Adam Moseley, 34 mins),  Callum Grogan, Harvey Washington, Luke Wall, Lewis Doyle, Lewis Crane, Reece Daly (Peter Wylie, 46 mins) Naim Arsan. Subs (not used): Ryan Brooke, Jacques Welsh.

Attendance: 855.

It's tough to take but we all stand together.