The match got underway bang on time and with both teams scurrying hard and looking to get that important initial grip on the gonads of the game it came as a surprise when Cheadle were suddenly 2 goals to the good with only 6 minutes on the timepiece. The first was a cross cum shot that glided over the keeper and opened Cheadle's account, and that of Luke Hincks, whilst the second resulted from a chanced through ball that was chased down by the pace riddled Sam Noar who slotted home with calm aplomb doubling the home teams lead - a wake up call for all it was! Within seconds of the kick-off Runcorn could have easily pulled one back but the counterattack ended in a low shot just sliding disappointingly wide! What a high action start! Runcorn now started to bust guts and attempted, with all their might, to worm back into the game proper but Cheadle remained fairly compact and were more than motivated for this fixture. A soccer ping pong manifested itself with a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with no real end result. Runcorn's No 2 (Matty Woodward) looked most likely to provide an opening as the width he created and extra option all oozed promise and when he received the ball in his own half, dashed forth it was no surprise that the ensuing play led to Runcorn pulling one back through player of the moment Craig Cairns. A few seconds later a mirror image of the goal creating move came and it was down to luck and dogged effort that Cheadle held on to their lead by the skin of their overstretched soccerised scrotums - oooh heck. The game was still anyone's but Cheadle had a glaring chance to restore the two goal cushion but a skied shot was a shocker and made sure Runcorn still had hope. Tetchiness and tiredness were creeping in at this point and when the referee blew for half time I thought it just as well as the game was losing its flow somewhat, just like a bladder that has been kicked a little too hard for its own good.
I couldn't be arsed to queue for a drink at half time so made do with a gob full of fruity Skittles - nom, nom. The temperature was dropping and I pondered two of Larry Grayson's imaginary foils namely Everard and Slack Alice. On a night like this you would do well to stay ever hard and young Alice had better not leave herself too slack or a hypothermic attack would be the consequence. Ooh I digress, such is the imagination.
Onwards and the second half came with instantaneous Runcorn pressure bringing a brace of half chances that both went spare but rekindled belief. Cheadle would not be suppressed though and after a corner led to an in-box scramble the ill-composed shot was a real disappointment and the keeper easily did his bit and kept things as per. Cheadle pushed again, a cracking move indeed and as glory beckoned a shot came and the Heavens accepted a ballooned effort and somewhat smirked at the real duff dig. The game settled, lots of work, a lack of decisive quality, Cheadle probed and, when their No 5 (Liam Tonge) fizzed one just wide, it looked like it could be a case of his side rueing their missed chances. One hoped not! Things became messy, a goal was needed and when Runcorn's No 9 mis-hit a cross and scummed what appeared to be a grand looking goal the game was suddenly all square. If the scorer, Simon Thelwall, tries to claim this as a goal of the season candidate please feel free to have him sectioned under the False Goals Act 1922 - ooh the jammy bugger. Luck or no luck Runcorn deserved to get back in it and no sooner had fortune favoured the ones dipped in sugar than that keen and dangerous No 10 popped up again and knocked in another and turned the game arse over tit. One could almost feel the disappointment in the home fans hearts and their team did well to dig in and try and force their way back into a still precariously balanced match. Cheadle pushed, Runcorn hung on, a bit of sauce came and the referee did well to maintain order. The kitchen sink came and was duly thrown, surely an equaliser was imminent but no, Runcorn strung two perfectly sublime and accurate passes together and Joe Holt bagged the 4th goal in the 90th minute and left Cheadle as dead men gasping. Still Cheadle had a few chances but the end came and another 6 goal thriller was done. Man of the Match for me was Runcorn's No 2 (Matty Woodward), he may be getting on a bit but he is a wise old git who gets into space, makes many a good run and is always alert as to where his teammates are both at the rear and at the fore. Never give in squire!
FINAL THOUGHT - Cheadle Town are one of those teams who never fail to surprise. When they are on the back foot there is always a chance they can grab a win, when on the front foot they are always liable to snatch defeat from the lucky bag of victory. In fact, if they tossed a coin and were asked to call for heads or tails I am sure the said monetary unit would land on its side and confound all. Such is life. They are warming to the seasons requirements though and will avoid any real bother whereas Runcorn, if they stay injury free and keep working like stallions on steroids, will set the pace for all and sundry and no doubt steal one or two honours along the way - I hope so!
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