Linnets need a little extra for Vase glory

Sep 11 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Runcorn Linnets 4 Padiham 3

(after extra-time)

IF Linnets’ run in this season’s FA Vase continues in the same vein as Sunday’s first preliminary round victory, it will be long and eventful.

After two hours, only the thickness of the woodwork separated two Vodkat League clubs renewing their rivalries from two seasons ago, when Runcorn had pipped the Lancastrians for promotion.

Much has happened since then – not least the move of manager Steve Wilkes from Padiham to Runcorn and the arrival of ex-Storks players into the Linnets’ nest.

That was always going to give something else to a tie, which provided the hosts with their first ever win in the competition.

It was a pulsating encounter, the outcome in doubt right until the final seconds.

Having been reduced to nine men by two dismissals in the closing stages of extra-time, Padiham almost equalised with the last kick of the match.

But Robbie Holcroft got his fingers to substitute Peter Corvino’s flashing opportunist shot, tipping it on to the crossbar and denying the away side, who had given it everything.

Fortunes had fluctuated throughout with Padiham striking first but Runcorn hitting back to lead 2-1 with goals from Michael Morrison – the first of a brace against his former club – and Jay Edwards, making his first start of the campaign in a depleted midfield.

But as if to emphasise what an up and downer this was, Edwards gave away the free kick which led to Padiham equalising before the interval in normal time.

And he later limped off with a swollen ankle – boss Wilkes having already lost Rob Whyte, who had been busy in a new role behind the front two, to injury.

Linnets were on top in the second half but failed to kill the game off, despite Morrison grabbing his second four minutes into the second half to make it 3-2.

A succession of home misses was punished when Steve Pickup made a rare error in not clearing with his head.

Striker Wharton used his strength to hold off the home defence and manoeuvre a shooting position, sliding his effort past ex-Padiham keeper Holcroft.

This redoubled the visitors’ efforts but, even then, Linnets’ Ged Courtney and Michael Morrison were foiled by Gavin King making last-gasp saves, the keeper twice dropping on the ball on his goal line.

Both sides tired in extra-time but Linnets hit the bar in both periods through Dave Thompson’s crashing shot on the turn and then Michael Morrison’s header.

However, Thompson in between set up his fellow sub Lee Morris to drill home his first Linnets goal in the 102nd minute for what would prove the winner.

With eight minutes of the 120 left, Padiham’s Paul Scott received a straight red card for dragging back Michael Morrison just outside the box.

Scott’s fellow defender Tom Bradley was sent off for his second caution after bringing down Morris in a similar position.

With Runcorn threatening to extend their third-time lead, Padiham could easily have stolen their thunder – Pickup atoning for his earlier mistake by blocking a shot by Chris Ridehalgh.

Linnets: Holcroft, Pickup, Glover (Thompson 74), Edwards (Morris 92), Dignan, Moore, Telfer, D Morrison, M Morrison, Courtney, Whyte (Boden 91). Subs: Boyd (GK), O’Driscoll.

Attendance: 191.