Linnets in flying start

Aug 14 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Runcorn Linnets 3 Silsden 1

RUNCORN enjoyed the kind of start to the season that all teams want to make.

Two-goal Dave Thompson and Rob Whyte helped them put points on the board at the first attempt as reward for a good honest performance in the Vodkat League Premier League.

Linnets well deserved their victory, after a very positive start in which they’d seen a goal disallowed for offside before taking a third minute lead.

However, a superb goal from Craig Smith 10 minutes after half-time briefly knocked Runcorn out of their stride and the hosts were grateful for a magnificent save soon after by Robbie Holcroft.

Aaron Hollindrake’s stinging volley, like Smith’s earlier effort, looked to be in all the way, but Holcroft somehow got across his goal to spectacularly turn the shot away for a corner.

It was the defining moment of the match, as just 6 minutes later Steve Wilkes’s side were back in front thanks to the first of Thompson’s brace.

With seven players in Wilkes’s starting line-up making debuts, Linnets fans wondered how long it might take for the team to gel - but the answer wasn’t long in coming.

The ubiquitous Nehro McKenzie had an effort ruled out before a crossfield ball, having been missed by a succession of players, eventually winged its way to Whyte on the left and he made no mistake.

New skipper Steve Cunningham, who led the team brilliantly in central midfield alongside McKenzi, was unlucky not to increase the lead just after the half hour point.

At the same time, Silsden ‘keeper Martin Foulger was fortunate to escape serious injury as he collided with his right post in making the save.

Silsden were off target from a couple of half chances in the last 10 minutes of the first half, with Runcorn’s giant centre-halves Scott Dignan and home-tower Robbie Moore having largely held sway.

However, Smith didn’t need a second invitation as he unleashed a superb shot in response to a headed half-clearance by Linnets player-coach Allan Glover.

It had Holcroft beaten all the way as he dived to his right.

Holcroft’s heroics to deny Hollindrake in the 59th minute paid dividends when Thompson squeezed in a header at an acute angle from a slightly over-hit right wing cross from Whyte.

Last season’s top scorer then followed up the rebound to a 20-yard free kick by Glover in the 70th minute to seal the points.

Runcorn: Holcroft, Pickup, Glover, McKenzie, Dignan, Moore, Telfer (Edwards 87), Cunningham, M Morrison (Courtney 73), Thompson, Whyte (Morris 67). Subs not used: Boyd, Boden.

Attendance: 150