Avro 3 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley
The wait goes on for a first away win of the season.
Three goals within the first hour condemned struggling Runcorn to another defeat in what has been a torrid start to their 2024-25 campaign.
Avro began the match below Linnets.
If the league table never lies at the end of a season, it certainly did six matches in - such was the first-half difference between the sides.
The hosts were quicker in body and mind, stronger on the ball while finding the passing combinations, which Linnets were unable to muster.
After falling behind in the 11th minute, the visitors rode their luck in avoiding further early punishment.
But their task became even tougher as the 'Ro doubled their lead in the 38th minute for a half-time scoreline more inkeeping with their early superiority.
Linnets improved somewhat in the second half after an immediate double substitution on the restart.
Jacques Welsh came into midfield while Taylor Bowen's introduction gave Runcorn a semblance of a workable structure with two up front.
But despite initial promise, they still hadn't put a shot on target by the time Liam Ellis ghosted through an invisible Linnets defence, in the inside left channel, for a third Avro goal after 56 minutes.
Runcorn were at least able to occupy more the Avro rearguard, responding early enough to give themselves the slightest glimmer of hope.
Within six minutes, Luke Wall cut in from the left to fire right-footed, forcing a scrambling save from Grant Shenton.
The ball was cleared as far as the right touchline from where Peter Wylie delivered a deep cross.
It was knocked back across goal by Wall from close to the deadball line for Brooke to touch home at the near post.
The move looked all so simple but Runcorn found it difficult to replicate the threat - despite spending a lot longer in opposition territory than they had in the first half.
All three goals conceded were avoidable, the first two coming from right-wing crosses which Runcorn were unable to prevent.
For the first, Karl Hawley was allowed to rise unchallenged for a header, which to be fair he directed well - leaving Tom Myles clutching at thin air to his right.
The second was out of the 'keeper's reach as he backpedalled beyond his far post - the defence slow to react as 'Ro kept the ball alive for Jake Cottrell to bury his shot.
Runcorn had produced only two moments of any attacking significance before the turnaround - at opposite ends of the half.
They had a case for an penalty, when Adam Moseley appeared to have been pushed over from behind as he eyed Jaden Jones' cross from the left. But the referee didn't think so.
When Wall centred from a similar position with half-time fast approaching, Brooke connected with his head, although not cleanly.
The ball ricocheted off an Avro defender, spinning onto a post and was ushered to safety.
Linnets would have risen to 11th in the table in victory but the win was always unattainable after an abject first-half performance.
Instead, they are back in the bottom four and in desperate need of inspiration and a positive result this Saturday when second-placed Trafford visit APEC Taxis Stadium (ko 3pm).
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Peter Wylie, Eden Gumbs, Karl Clair, Harvey Washington, Sam Carr, Adam Moseley (Taylor Bowen, 46 mins), Lewis Nolan (Jacques Welsh), Ryan Brooke, Jaden Jones, Luke Wall. Subs (not used): Sam Barratt, Bailey Passant.
Attendance: 190.
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