1874 Northwich vs Runcorn Linnets

Recap

RETURNING HERO HAUNTS 74
By Garry Clarke

1874 NORTHWICH 1-4 RUNCORN LINNETS HSL PREMIER 11TH MARCH 2017

Former 1874 Northwich player Stuart Wellstead returned to St Luke’s Barton Stadium to haunt his old club in a ten minute cameo which contributed greatly to a distorted score line.

Always in control after 1874 were reduced to ten men in the 20th minute following Lee Jones’ dismissal having received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes, Runcorn struck twice in the closing minutes to move within two points of leaders Atherton Collieries and leave 1874 a further six points behind.

1874 got off to a flying start opening the scoring in the 11th minute. Harry Pratt set Lee Jones away down the right wing, Jones pulled the ball back into the path of Jason Carey for the former Linnets man to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

Four minutes later Carey slipped the ball into the path of Tom Bailey who crossed to Pratt whose shot cleared the bar.

The visitors started to make the most of their numerical advantage launching wave after wave of attack on the 1874 goal, but for the most part were denied by desperate defending by an 1874 rearguard well marshaled by Mark Jones and backed up by Greg Hall’s safe handling.

However, the dam burst in the 32rd minute when Runcorn equalised. Kieron Nolan floated a free kick into the 1874 area, Freddie Potter rose unchallenged to powerfully head past Hall.

Potter went close to adding a second heading just wide while Kristian Holt and Mark Houghton both fired shots wide of the target before Bailey drew a save from Linnets keeper Adam Caunce with a long range free kick.

Runcorn dealt their hosts a sucker blow on the stroke of half time, Dan McKenna raced down the left wing delivered a low cross to Holt who drilled the ball home to give the visitors a half time lead.

1874 worked hard after the break to remain in the game but a disjointed performance saw attacking opportunities at a premium as a workman like Runcorn outfit controlled the second half taking no risks at the back and rarely threatening to add to their tally. Hall blocked a Houghton shot from a tight angle and Potter volleying over the bar.

In the 87th minute a long ball was played up to Wellstead, the substitute only introduced into the action in the 85th minute controlled the ball held of a defender’s challenge to fire past Hall.

Three minutes in to stoppage time Wellstead stole the ball from Sam Hare, passed across the 18 yard box to Zac Aley who completed the scoring with a well struck shot.

1874 Hall, Connor, Mitchell (Whiteoak 54), Mark Jones, Russell, Lee Jones, Waldron, Hare, Carey (Joe Woolley 70), Pratt (Edwards 70), Bailey Subs not used Matthew Woolley, Hind

Linnets Caunce), O’Brien, Morris, Hardwick, McKenna, Hickey, Nolan, Holt (Aley 79), Houghton, Potter (Wellstead 85), Shanley Subs not used Lawton, Wade, Burey

Goals 1874 Carey 11 Runcorn Potter 32, Holt 45, Wellstead 87, Aley 90 (+3)

Referee Conor Brown Attendance 352

Man of the match selected by match sponsor ALAN ANDREWS = Mark Jones