Albion fight back after early blow

Dec 4 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN Albion came from behind to edge out Widnes’ Moorfield in the Warrington & District League Premier Division 2-1.

Albion had the majority of possession but lack of communication gifted Moorfield an opener.

The Runcornians hit back with MoM Neil Larkin’s defence-splitting pass setting up Karl Thomas to round the keeper for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Joey Chesters added the second for Albion with a 29-yard curler.

Runcorn Albion Reserves (Sean Murphy, Paul Molloy (2) and skipper James Baines) almost threw away a 4-0 lead but hung on to beat Culcheth SC 4-3 in the Depot Cup first round.

Cronton Villa’s chairman Chris Chesters saluted the ambition and determination in the ranks as all three teams won for the first time.

The first team routed local top-flight rivals Halton Borough 6-0 at Birchfield Road where newly-appointed first team assistant Myles Simpson deputised for unavailable boss Barry Melling.

Paul McCunnell weighed in with a hat-trick with Paul Tillett, Dave Roberts and Andy McGuffie also netting. Inspirational skipper Stevie Wills was MoM.

Villa’s reserves triumphed 3-1 at Grange to move off the foot of Division One. Kev Gould’s superb hat-trick had made it two successive wins.

Division Five’s Cronton 3rd thumped Newton-le-Willows 6-1 at Wilmere Lane thanks to Carl Baker, Ste Durr, Martin Heynes, Nick Durr, Mark Bullock and Chris Body. Their MoM was Danny Clarke.

Halebank cantered to 5-1 Premier Division victory at young and spirited Blackbrook.

Despite bitter conditions, the visitors led 3-0 at the break through Madigan (2) and Brotherstone.

Blackbrook pulled a goal back but Lewis’ brace ensured victory.

Smiths SD’s 4-1 home loss to Mosscroft dented their Division Five promotion hopes, the visitors leading from the second minute.

The result was harsh on the Runcorn side. But they were 3-0 down by the time they scored through hardworking striker Phil Sanderson lifting the ball over the keeper from the left of the 18-yard box.

Dave Tierney hit a post six minutes from time but Mosscroft promptly put the issue beyond doubt.

Dean Egerton was man of the match for his solid work in defence.

Halton Arms hit Calland’s for six without reply in the Warrington Sunday League’s Premier Division.

Russell Whitehead delivered four of the goals with others coming from Steve Latham and Graham Lowe.

Matty Rankin scored a hat-trick on debut in Inter Union’s 14-2 win at Halton Villa in Halton & District Junior League’s Arena Housing U12s section.

Jake Peacock had put Inter ahead after just 30 seconds while player of the game Rankin’s exploits were backed up by Jamie Blythe (3), Chris Ellams, Tom Turkington, Ste Brown and Lewis Storey.

The Rocksavage Power U13s agegroup saw Inter overcome Pex Hill 10-0 with Liam Goff, Josh Archer, Bradley Phillips and Declan Done among the goals while Jordan Maddock was player of the match.