Linnets impress but chances go begging

Nov 20 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Alsager Town 1 Runcorn Linnets 1

RUNCORN Linnets’ chances of progressing to the last 64 of the FA Vase remained well and truly alive after a battling 1-1 draw at fellow NWCL club Alsager Town.

Steve Wilkes will be a tad disappointed on a day they failed to convert their chances to win the game, but the players cannot be faulted for the effort they put in, and on the day were the better of the two sides.

Both sides started the game brightly, but good defending snuffed out danger at both ends. The first threat from the visitors came on nine minutes after good work down the Linnets left from Mike Young who found Tom Baker in a great position, but the midfielder, who was a last-minute selection for the game, scuffed his shot wide.

On 19 minutes, home skipper Lee Jones had a chance from a poor defensive header from Linnets centre half Scott Dignan, but again his shooting was well off the mark.

The left back for Alsager was lucky not to be cautioned for a rash tackle on Dignan on 21 minutes while at the other end the Linnets were threatening again when Dignan shot over from 18 yards from a Baker corner. Tim Drohan had a glorious chance for the home team on 29 minutes, ghosting past two Linnets defenders only to shoot wide.

Ged Courtney was tugged on the edge of the box by Chambers, and from the resulting free kick left back Allan Glover fizzed a shot just wide.

Linnets pressed on and good defending from the home team prevented Baker scoring after being set up by Steve Pickup.

It was all the Linnets at this stage and on 33 minutes Allan Glover swung in a corner and Rob Whyte shot just wide. Michael Young had a chance a minute later, set up by Ged Courtney. But he was just wide having been put off by a defender as he shot.

On 37 minutes a snap shot from Baker was saved by the keeper after a good set- up by Rob Whyte who again fired wide on 41 minutes.

Alsager had a chance on 43 minutes when Drohan took on Glover down the left and worked himself into a good position.

Alsager started the second half well, and only good defending from Robbie Moore in the first minute prevented Drohan from scoring.

But the first goal was not long in coming, when a little slackness in the Linnets defence allowed Drohan to advance into a great position. Glover brought him down, and Alsager skipper Jones converted the penalty.

Whyte had a shot saved on 69 minutes, again after good work from winger Young, and on 70 minutes Lee Morris replaced the willing Baker who had had a fair game for the Linnets.

On 73 minutes a free kick was played to Young and poor defending from the home team cost them dearly when Whyte was on hand from 11 yards to shoot the Linnets level – a deserved equaliser.

The Linnets had further chances from Courtney and Young before the game went into extra time which failed to produce a positive result. The replay was last night.