Runcorn Linnets vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

Runcorn Linnets 1-0 1874 Northwich: 74 suffer narrow derby defeat
By Jack Owen

74’ couldn’t make it two wins from two this bank holiday weekend as a solitary second half strike from Linnets’ Laurence Smith was enough for the 3 points at the APEC Taxis Stadium

With both teams looking to assert themselves on the ball early on, the game was scrappy. Scott McGowan had a great chance, dragging an effort wide after Jack Irlam pressured the keeper in to a mistake.

Linnets then got a hold, Ryan Brooke leading the line for the home side began to cause problems for 74’. His header from Crilly’s cross was held well by Aghayere for the first effort on the target of the match.

Aghayere was busy again, Crilly was having a battle with Koral down the 74 right, the Linnets winger cut inside and curled an effort towards goal which the 74’ stopper tipped wide for a corner.

The end of the half came with one last chance for the hosts who were now in full control, Brooke again guiding a header over the bar when it looked easier to score after Mark Jones’ slip presented him with a free header

The only goal of the game came three minutes in to the second half, Laurence Smith picked up the ball in midfield, he evaded the tackle of Sam Hare and struck a beauty of a left footed effort in to the bottom corner beating Aghyere who was at full stretch.

The introduction of Captain Matthew Woolley sparked 74 in to life, and our first meaningful attack came shortly after. Sam Hare met a cut back from Callum Gardner on the edge to slide an effort wide with the keeper beaten.

Linnets dropped deeper as the 74 pressure mounted, Lee Knight on as a substitute, tried his luck. His effort after cutting in from the left was blocked well by a Linnets rear guard that was standing firm.

The danger of Linnets was now from counter attacks as the game wore on. The impressive Iwan Murray for the hosts had their next best chance, his jinking run found a gap between Marrow and Ormrod at the back only for Aghayere to be equal and hold a powerful effort well.

The pressure for 74’ was a case of too little too late as the hosts held on for a deserved win and to take the spoils of the first derby between the two sides in over 3 years.

Runcorn Linnets: Young, Brown, Short, Welsh, Downes, O’Mahoney, Olareqaju, Smith 48’, Brooke, Murray, Crilly.

Subs: Spellman, Gumbs, Hayes, Monthe, Lynch.