Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 6 Kidsgrove Athletic Under 21s 1
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones
Linnets U21s men cut the deficit on third-placed Kidsgrove in North West Development League Championship Division B to three points with a commanding second-half performance.
Such an emphatic victory could not have been predicted at the break with Runcorn just one goal ahead and the Staffordshire visitors having caused problems, particularly in the first 20 minutes.
Substitutions at the interval changed the course of the game, Linnets laying down a marker for the forthcoming Divisional Cup final meeting of the clubs, who are also rivals at first-team level - having shared the Northern Premier League West spoils at Autonet Stadium only eight days earlier.
Opening exchanges suggested it would be a far from straightforward Sunday for the hosts, who retain two games in hand on their opponents.
Kidsgrove had the better of the early play with Linnets 'keeper Alex Ellams and his defence, including man of the match Cameron Schofield in the centre, having to be on their guard.
The hosts improved as the half progressed, bagging a vital 33rd-minute lead when a left-wing corner by Sam Stephens was headed in powerfully by Jaden Ditchfield.
Kidsgrove almost levelled after a surging run from their right back, whose attempt came back off the left post.
It was a warning shot for Linnets but one which was thankfully heeded.
Runcorn raised their game significantly after the restart with the introduction on the left of first-team regular Adam Moseley, who linked up well with full back Ben Dobbie and centre forward Lewis Crane.
Moseley scored one goal and assisted in two more as Dobbie engineered a hat-trick of goals and top scorer Crane added another couple to his season's total.
Jorge Dwyer, Crane and Jay Lee were back on U21s duty, having been on the first-team bench less than 24 hours earlier.
But it was Moseley's arrival in a double change upon the restart, which transformed the performance as he quickly stamped his class on proceedings.
Attacking midfielder Asnafi Shamari joined the action at the same time, Dwyer dropping deeper to exert the authority Runcorn had hitherto lacked in the centre of the park.
The home advantage was doubled in the 51st minute. The enterprising Dobbie's run into the left of the area culminated in a low effort, which Grove's 'keeper could only parry with Crane on hand to tap in.
Before the hour was up, Runcorn were three ahead.
From Macauley Clifton's searching pass, Dobbie crossed from out wide for Moseley to finish at the second attempt after another rebound off the 'keeper.
All of a sudden, it was a completely different match.
Kidsgrove sensed, however, there mjght still be a way back. Linnets were briefly unsettled by another double change, which necessitated reorganisation in defence and midfield.
Holding midfielder Billy McNay, one of these substitutes, was still finding his feet - as Runcorn's third holding midfielder of the afternoon - when he was lured into a foul challenge inside his own box.
Ellams, having saved a penalty last time out, was sent the wrong way for 3-1 after 71 minutes.
But Grove's hopes of recovery didn't last long. With 12 minutes left, Jay Lee restored the three-goal cushion by heading in Dobbie's flagkick from the right.
Their resistance now broken, the away side would concede twice more.
Firstly, Moseley held off a defender in venturing forward once more, threading an inspired pass through the Kidsgrove rearguard for 16-year-old winger Harry Vernon to finish convincingly.
Two minutes later, the demolition job was complete, Moseley reaching the six-yard box on the left to set up Crane at the near post for his 22nd campaign goal.
With leaders Nantwich Town being held to a draw and second-placed Northwich Victoria losing, promotion is still not out of the question.
Fourth-placed Linnets trail Nantwich by 12 points but have SEVEN matches in hand.
The deficit on Vics is seven points, Runcorn having played four games fewer.
The Cup final against Kidsgrove is at APEC Taxis Stadium on Sunday, May 4th.
Runcorn Linnets: Alex Ellams, Callum Prince, Ben Dobbie, Arty Benjamin, Cameron Schofield, Jay Lee, Macauley Clifton, Jorge Dwyer, Lewis Crane, Jaden Ditchfield, Sam Stephens. Subs (all used): Harry Vernon, Adam Moseley, Josh May, Billy McNay, Asnafi Shamari.
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