Runcorn Linnets 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 0
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures by Peter Cantwell
In need of a good league performance at home, Linnets duly delivered.
The damage was done in the first half, Kidsgrove fortunate to go in only two goals in arrears as Runcorn might well have doubled their score.
After the break it was all about managing the game and while Kidsgrove made five changes at various intervals in an effort to rescue the game, Linnets' defence held firm.
The hosts remained the likelier scorers as they hit Grove on the counter attack.
Naim Arsan was unlucky not to add his second of the game with a late shot, which came back off a post.
Summer signing Jack Grundy finally made his competitive home debut. It came a month after his only away appearance so far in the victory at Atherton Collieries after which he suffered a reaction to the foot injury sustained in pre-season.
Peter Wylie made way - the decision raising a few eyebrows in light of the experienced defender's excellent form.
Jacques Welsh also missed out as Antony Kay again rotated in midfield.
But the exclusion of Welsh and Wylie gave Linnets a strong bench.
This hasn't always been the case with this season's injury problems.
It's now all the more important with teams in Pitching In Northern Premier League being allowed a handful of substitutions.
Linnets had won only two of eight West Division outings on home soil but a goal at each end of the half gave them a firm grip.
Runcorn created and found space in and around the opposition area from the outset.
They went ahead after eight minutes as Naim Arsan escaped the offside trap on the left before firing high inside the far post.
Runcorn had to wait until the 35th minute to increase the advantage through substitute Jaden Jones, who finished precisely from 12 yards with a right-foot strike from Karl Clair's cross.
Jones was a more than capable replacement for Luke Wall, who succumbed to an early injury after being unable to run it off.
In between their goals, Linnets might have scored two or three more.
The best move of the match almost got the finish it deserved.
The build-up involved a typically adventurous right-wing burst by Will Saxon before Eden Gumbs took up the mantle, running across the box.
The latter's cross missed out the first man but was picked up by Clair, whose effort with the outside of his right foot narrowly missed the target to the left of goal.
The ever-versatile Gumbs had been initially tasked with leading the front line as No.9 before retreating into midfield on the introduction of Adam Moseley after his two-week absence because of concussion.
Gumbs's success rate was reflected in the man-of-the-match award from the sponsors.
Play would get more competitive upon the restart but Kidsgrove, despite their attack being bolstered off the bench by the 6ft 4in frame of veteran former Mansfield Town and Lincoln City campaigner Matt Rhead, were unable to breach a resolute Runcorn rearguard.
The biggest concern for Linnets surrounded the two lots of treatment needed by Bayleigh Passant, the second after a challenge inside his six-yard box.
The hard-fought nature of the battle brought eight on-field bookings, mostly for fouls, with Runcorn receiving five of them. Manager Anthony Malbon was also cautioned for the visitors.
Lewis Doyle had to particularly watch his step after picking up the first of these in the 24th minute. Cautions for Doyle and Clair no doubt contributed to them being withdrawn.
Arsan's lively start to his Linnets career continued as he linked effectively with skipper James Short on the left.
The former had already been denied a second goal by a last-gasp save by the time he struck the woodwork with a flighted cross shot.
Kidsgrove had the ball in the net in stoppage time.
But Passant had clearly been fouled and no sooner had the 'keeper restarted play with a free-kick than referee Daniel Mitchell sounded his final whistle.
The result saw the two combatants swap places in the table with Runcorn climbing two places to ninth.
The next assignment for Linnets is Saturday's league trip to Stalybridge Celtic.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Sam Barratt, James Short, Karl Clair (Adam Moseley, 72 mins), Jack Grundy Peter Wylie, 90 mins), Harvey Washington, Will Saxon, Lewis Doyle (Jacques Welsh, 65 mins), Eden Gumbs, Luke Wall (Jaden Jones, 22 mins), Naim Arsan. Sub (not used): Adam Morgan.
Attendance: 526.
Before kick-off all inside APEC Taxis Stadium had joined in paying tribute to The Fallen. Both clubs laid wreaths with Runcorn's being taken to the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday.
Komentáre