Linnets suffer late last-game loss but it's agony for Hednesford in victory
- dbettley
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Hednesford Town 1 Runcorn Linnets 0
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Neil Thornton
ALTHOUGH beaten by the only goal, Linnets claimed something of a moral victory by keeping promotion-chasing Hednesford at bay until the Pitching In Northern Premier League West title was beyond them.
Widnes, needing only to draw their last-day fixture against Trafford, had wrapped up the Pitching In Northern Premier League championship with a 1-0 home win before the Pitmen finally breached Runcorn's defences two minutes into stoppage time.
Eight minutes in all would be added at Keys Park - most of them for a distressing injury to Runcorn's Karl Clair.
He was stretchered off in only his second comeback appearance, both off the bench, after an eight-week absence.
It was later confirmed that the unfortunate midfielder had suffered recurrent knee damage.
Substitute Nathan Blissett's headed winner was little reward for Hednesford. The hosts were already aware that they would have to settle for the runners-up spot, which had been fatefully claimed by Linnets in 2023-24.
The Pitnen's hopes of progressing to the NPL Premier Division for next season now rest on the Play-Offs.
As Linnets know only too well, from three failed attempts in as many seasons, it is a precarious route. Hednesford will entertain Vauxhall Motors in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Defeat was ultimately cruel on Linnets, who had fought valiantly to withstand a lot of home pressure but came more into the game the longer it went on.
They ended the campaign in 11th spot, this being the lowest finish of Runcorn's five completed seasons at Step 4.
In front of an expectant crowd of 1,700, there were obviously some pre-match nerves in the Hednesford camp - and trepidation for the 150 visiting fans, who had journeyed south.
Linnets had shipped six goals to Congleton in their previous away game and lost 6-2 to the Pitmen at APEC Taxis Stadium in August.
Just two wins in their first 11 league and cup matches had left Runcorn in tne bottom four, out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. This ultimately shaped their season, lowering expectations in the process.
The importance of Saturday's campaign finale was clear (although effectively Linnets were playing for pride) and with the sense of occasion weighing heavily, both sides survived potential early calamities.
With only two minutes played, Hednesford's Ollie Harrison fell short with an attempt to play back to his 'keeper.
Blushes were spared as Tony Breeden managed to trap the ball between his legs to thwart Luke Wall. Runcorn wouldn't get a better chance all afternoon.
At the other end, Breeden's opposite number Bayleigh Passant lost his footing when trying to clear from inside his area.
With the Linnets 'keeper stumbling, home skipper Dominic McHale (who was left with an open goal, albeit from an acute angle on the right) shot beyond the far post.
Tensions also surfaced in between. An ill-judged tackle by Jacques Welsh led to an early caution for the Linnets skipper - after a skirmish, involving players from both sides.
The rest of the half saw sustained home pressure, as was only to be expected.
However, Passant had regained composure after his early mishap and saved well with his legs to deny Jack Bearne and McHale.
Approaching the half-hour, Joe Ferguson embarked on a long clearing run to give Linnets respite.
But Adam Moseley was the only team-mate up in support and the right back's cross was misdirected, falling behind the advancing striker.
Hednesford's size and physical strength had given them an upper hand and as Runcorn laboured in open play, their biggest threat was coming from a series of free-kicks taken by Wall.
These were launched left-footed into home territory from the right touchline but were dealt with by Breedon and his defence.
At half-time, the title was still very much up for grabs with Widnes's game likewise in goalless deadlock.
Hednesford resumed the offensive after the break but their finishing was still awry, Joe Doyle-Charles and sub Akeem Rose both miskicking wide from snatched attempts.
Anxiety was by now clearly rising in the home ranks. Peter Wylie only added to their frustration, winning a succession of clearing headers in Runcorn's defence.
Jorge Dwyer looked lively, having replaced the unfortunate Clair, and into the final quarter, Runcorn sensed that it was no longer just about survival.
Many of the Runcorn fans behind the goal had come in fancy dress and they were more than ready to play party poopers if their team could nick an unlikely victory.
Moseley teed up Dwyer for a 74th-minute shot, which was blocked, with Welsh's low drive from the rebound going narrowly wide of the left upright. Breeden was probably beaten.
Two minutes later, Welsh's central midfield colleague Lewis Doyle linked up with striker Ryan Brooke to veer away from a Hednesford rearguard, which was suddenly looking more stretched.
But Doyle's strike also missed the target, bypassing the right post.
Hednesford, meanwhile, were wondering if they would ever score.
They struck the Runcorn bar and somehow messed up a three-against-one break - McHale failing to pick out team mates with his cross.
When the breakthrough finally arrived, Blissett beating Passant low at the left post after rising to meet Bearne's looping cross from the right, it was too late; only consolation for Hednesford, even in hard-earned victory.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Naim Arsan, Lewis Doyle, Joe Ferguson, Callum Grogan, Luke Wall, Jacques Welsh, Ryan Brooke, Reece Daly (Karl Clair, 65 mins, Clair replaced by Jorge Dwyer 73 mins), Adam Moseley (Lewis Crane, 80 mins). Subs (not used): Josh Elverstone, Alex Ellams (GK).
Attendance: 1,734.
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