Late agony at Stafford but Linnets promise a fight to the finish
- dbettley
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Stafford Rangers 2 Runcorn Linnets 2
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones
Linnets saw another comeback victory snatched from their grasp in the final seconds.
Having made a habit of scoring late goals, Brad Cooke's side conceded with virtually the last kick of the match.
It was a cruel and potentially crippling blow to their play-off aspirations.
Victory would have taken the visitors to within four points of fifth-placed Chasetown, who were beaten at fellow promotion hopefuls Stalybridge.
But Kaiman Anderson's late leveller - there was barely time to restart the game - leaves the deficit at six points (effectively seven thanks to goal difference) with five games left to play.
Stan Robinson Stadium (or Marston Road as it was traditionally known) had been a regular haunt of Linnets predecessor club from the early 1950s through to the mid-1990s, initially in the Cheshire League and NPL.
The rival clubs were relegated from the Conference within a year of each other, Stafford being the first of the non-league giants to tumble.
They were only briefly reunited in 2004-05, Runcorn's only season in Conference North.
By then, Canal Street had gone, Linnets being exiled in Widnes.
Stafford's ground was much the same as it is today and in the halcyon days of the '70s and '80s.
On their first visit, Runcorn Linnets were the better side from midway through the first half but poor marking from a corner allowed central defender Scott Wara to head the hosts into a 50th-minute lead.
It meant that Linnets' character would be tested again but they turned the game around in now typical fashion.
Industrous midfielder Lewis Doyle levelled in the 68th minute with a right-foot shot from the edge of the box, set up by Adam Moseley who had not long entered the scene.
Much of the second half had taken place in Stafford territory and Eden Gumbs slammed home from close range in the 80th minute to put Runcorn in front.
Moseley again played a big part, his initial effort from Ryan Brooke's left-wing cross having been blocked on the line.
This second Linnets goal had been coming, Brooke having been denied at close quarters by a stunning reaction save from Leon Phillips.
It was an afternoon, which had required resilience in breezy conditions and on a precarious playing surface which together made controlled football very difficult.
Stafford played percentage football, their biggest threat coming from long throw-ins into the Runcorn area by home skipper James O'Neill.
Linnets coped with these well.
However, a last-gasp break down the left saw the resulting deep cross returned into the danger area for Anderson to take the hosts ever closer to safety, after relegation to Step 4 last season.
In a game full of endeavour but bereft of chances, Runcorn had carved out the clearest opportunity of the first half.
Brooke might feel he should have scored but his header was well saved all the same, PhIllips getting down well.
However, the biggest talking point surrounded the other 'keeper, Bayleigh Passant being booked in the 29th minute for bringing down Dan Cockerline 10 yards outside his area.
Passant's reaction to the award of the free-kick was one of disbelief rather than guilt.
Home fans demanded a red card but a Runcorn defender in the vicinity may just have swung the decision.
Manager Cooke, also cautioned in the immediate aftermath for comments to the official running the line, admitted that naivety had cost his side.
While their character, commitment or workmate could never be questioned - and they largely defended well - he said both Stafford goals had resulted from players being left unmarked.
"You can't concede goals like that and expect to be in and around the top end of the table. We've got to grow up. It's naive at times," added the rueful boss.
"I never feel like we're out of the game because you know they'll fight until the absolute end but to concede in the 96th lr 97th minute is a hard one to take."
Linnets have gone 12 unbeaten since losing at home to Stafford at the end of January in a game which prompted Antony Kay's dismissal as manager.
Cooke and assistant Rob Sadler have overseen the last 10.
The manager remains realistic and philosophical about prospects for the rest of the campaign and particularly the team's receding play-off hopes.
With a place in the Cheshire Senior Cup final already secure, Runcorn will contest the semi-final of the Liverpool FA's equivalent competition against North West Counties League Premier Division title contenders Lower Breck in Anfield on Thursday, April 10th.
The Liverpudlians maintained their prolific form with a 4-0 win against Isle of Man yesterday to stay in second place, within three points of leaders Bury.
Linnets will for now focus on the first of three remaining home league games, Clitheroe visiting APEC Taxis Stadium next Saturday (ko 3pm).
Visits of Avro and Bootle will follow with trips to Congleton Town and Hednesford Town, both odds-on for the play-off spots, also upcoming for Runcorn.
"We've got a big run now haven't we? It's a really busy month April. We want to finish strong, naturally," said Cooke.
"It's nice that we are in a semi-final, it's nice that we've got a final at the end of the season. But ultimately we want to create a winning habit at this football club and we're going to do that.
"It's never over until it's over, it was always a big ask. What this group of players have done is give everyone hope.
"We've got a points total that we want, if that's enough great. If it's not enough, it's not enough.
"Ultimately we've come in at a time of the season where a lot of damage had been done so we can't do anything else about it."
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Eden Gumbs, Lewis Doyle, Joe Ferguson, Callum Grogan, Luke Wall, (Harvey Washington, 88 mins), Jacques Welsh, Ryan Brooke (Lewis Crane, 90+4 mins), Reece Daly (Adam Moseley, 64 mins), Naim Arsan (Jorge Dwyer, 81 mins). Sub (not used): Jay Lee.
Attendance: 836.
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