Stalybridge Celtic 2 Runcorn Linnets 3
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones
The inconsistency which has characterised Runcorn's season so far was highlighted over 90 minutes as they fought back for a memorable victory at Bower Fold.
Two goals adrift with little more than half an hour played, Linnets were facing the prospect of a heavy defeat in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.
But the introduction of striker Adam Moseley sparked a stunning transformation in their performance.
Within two minutes of Stalybridge scoring their second and a minute of him taking the field, the substitute set up Will Saxon to revive hopes at 2-1.
After the break, man-of-the-match Saxon repaid the compliment by engineering Moseley's 54th-minute equaliser - before adding his second four minutes later to complete a remarkable turnaround.
A disbelieving Stalybridge would go on to finish with 10 men, amid the chaos caused by the visiting comeback.
For the first 30 minutes, it had been Runcorn in disarray.
Ponderous in and out of possession and lacking care and precision in their passing, they were in danger of being blown away by the impressive-looking Tamesiders.
Stalybridge skipper Liam Tongue exploited the time and space he was allowed to orchestrate the early play from midfield.
He had already gone close with a header before launching a 30-yard shot, which surprised Bayleigh Passant for an eighth-minute lead.
Celtic were attacking Linnets at pace and with an intensity and intent with which the visitors were failing to cope.
When Brandon Newell and Joe Duckworth set up Jack Irlam for their close-range second in the 32nd minute, Linnets fans were fearing the worst.
But skipper James Short was immediately replaced by Moseley and fortunes promptly turned.
The lively replacement's through ball split open the Celts' defence and Saxon took the ball round James McClenaghan to the goalkeeper's left, before striking home at an angle.
It had taken largely besieged Runcorn all of 21 minutes to get a genuine effort on the opposition's goal, Saxon looping a header over the bar from Luke Wall's cross.
Winger Saxon duly converted the next chance 11 minutes from half-time but it was soon after the restart that the complexion of the match truly altered as Linnets netted twice in four minutes.
Runcorn opened the second half with a fresh impetus, attacking on both flanks. Success cane down the left.
Firstly, Naim Arsan's searching pass released Saxon, whose cross was touched home at the near post by game changer Moseley in the 50th minute.
The simplicity of the finish contrasted sharply with Runcorn's earlier struggles. But if it stunned Stalybridge fans to silence, worse was to follow for them.
In almost identical style, Saxon was sent clear on the same flank.
But without tangible support this time, he turned inside for a low shot, which deflected into the goal off a defender.
In a complete role reversal, it was now Runcorn who were posing most of the attacking threat and Celtic defending with uncertainty.
Jaden Jones had come off the bench to bolster a Runcorn midfield, which had seemed undermanned in the first half.
He saw a shot from outside the box blocked almost on the goal line by a defender with the 'keeper stranded.
But Runcorn just kept on advancing and when Luke Wall combined with Moseley to go clear again Jack Tinning brought him down outside the box.
Before the referee could produce the inevitable red card in the 74th minute, the defender (who had already been cautioned) was heading knowingly for the dressing room - out of a contest with which the hosts were initially threatening to run away.
But it all changed as if with the flick of a switch. Moseley's introduction was certainly a lightbulb moment.
Linnets now face a busy week of home league and cup action, starting with Tuesday's Cheshire Senior Cup visit of Vauxhall Motors.
On Saturday, there is a significant home game against Stafford Rangers, former arch rivals and twice FA Trophy semi-final opponents of predecessor Linnets, Runcorn AFC in the 1970s.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Sam Barratt, James Short (Adam Moseley, 33 mins), Karl Clair (Lewis Doyle, 69 mins), Jack Grundy, Harvey Washington, Will Saxon, Jacques Welsh, Eden Gumbs (Jaden Jones, 54 mins), Luke Wall (Adam Morgan, 89 mins), Naim Arsan. Sub (not used): Peter Wylie.
Attendance: 630.
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