7th January 2017 - Runcorn Linnets 2 v 5 Hanley Town - It was one of those mizzle doused January days of a wretched weary grey that truly encouraged the arse to stay against the mattress and take necessary refuge. With things to keep me motivated I was up and out early, birding and looking for fungi, then onto a bit of recycling with the missus and after dropping our young lass off we headed down the foul artery that dissects the countryside (known as the M56) to seek out the Millbank Stadium and watch another bout of non-league footy. Liquid relief was needed, both in one end and out the other, and so appropriate calls were made before we found a seat out of the rain (after 4 attempts and disagreements) and awaited kick off. I hope the players were water resistant today and had indulged in a good dose of Prozac to keep the spirits lifted - what an absolute shitter!
Kick off, an instantaneous attack was made by the home birds, it was Shanley streaking down the far flank, crossing the ball and seeing his effort nutted out but connected with by one of his comrades who shot just wide. It was a quick burst indeed but was pursued by a patch of 'feeling out' where both sides searched for openings but only the Green and Yellow gaining any sight at goal with one shot blocked low by the netman and a following blast cracked hard but way too high and capable of nothing more than killing a passing seagull. The game started to develop a pattern with the Linnets looking for the long ball and Hanley looking to counter. The long ball idea by the home side was difficult to pull off due to a greasy surface and as the ball scooted on it was obvious that a pinpoint pass was needed or some speedy legs to have a moment of inspiration. It looked a long shot indeed! Hanley had the next chance when a foul was ignored, advantage played and a cross from their problematic No 7 allowed his colleague to shoot, albeit straight at the awaiting keeper. A warning was sent out nonetheless, the away chaps were still in this.
Time tickled on, the game became subdued, as did the oral orifices of the home fans, which was due to nothing more than Hanley's doggedness and continued high work ethic. Having said this, after an Hanley corner a quick break was had by their opponents and a low creeping cross seemed to clog the clock and we all watched it creep goalward only to somehow sneak just wide. Close but no glory found. The Linnets seemed buoyed by this effort and started to impose themselves but the Hanley keeper was on sharp form with another close in shot saved and the resultant spillage lunged at and grabbed with tight mitts. Several more through balls were mopped up by this guardian of the mesh but the tide did seem to be shifting and surely it would be only a matter of time before his defenses were thwarted. Another half chance came the way of the yellows, the keeper was once more in the right place at the right time and even though persistent pressure ensued the goal failed to bulge to the roar of the crowd. A foul shout came next, it looked rougher than it seemed and the yellow card was spot on despite many onlookers in disagreement and starting to get on the referees case. Hanley now pushed back, turned the game to what they wanted it to be and frustration rose in the ranks of Runcorn, both on and off the pitch. Hanley's 5 and 7 were particularly effective and I think the whistle came just in time to save the home team from impending complications. A good tight half this, the question was, who could make the breakthrough?
A piddle and a chinwag with the missus, by heck it was getting cold now! Gimme some goals please, get the thermals rising.
Half two and a repeat of the first, Linnets straight on the attack and a golden chance was only thwarted by...yes, another lovely save. A corner followed, a blur of action ensued, a shot, a block, confusion - goal - out of nothing the home team, via Mark Houghton, had snatched the opener, the first flame had been borne, the requested thermals radiated my way. Straight down the other end we went though, the ball was swiftly moved with No 9 on it, dinking quickly, bobbing and weaving and...another goal (take a bow Sean Mountford), placed with precision and utter grace, back to all square, madness. No sooner had I finished scribbling my notes than Hanley were at it again, causing trouble and strife for the opposing defenders which duly lead to a penalty. Up stepped No 10 (Oliver Edwards) to slap home with a sweatless brow and put the game on a whole new footing - shocker indeed. Now the Linnets needed to fly higher and chirp with a passion rather than get confused in a midfield flock of feistiness. A brace of fouls came, a hotly disputed penalty shout was turned down for the home lads, no pen, no card and when a Linnet's player was booked seconds later, after a middle of the park clash, the refs name went down in the annals of wankism and his name was unanimously changed to that of 'mud'. Again the temperature rose and the air began to adopt a blueish tint, all to the fascination of we two neutrals and I suspect, many others.
Next action, the Linnets won a free-kick, a dash came, a turn on a veritable sixpence and a shot flashed wide from only a few yards out. It was all the home team now, a long 30+ minutes awaited the visitors methinks. Linnets pressed again - header, pass and shot - and of course, the usual save. Hanley broke back, the No 7 was having a good game, a fine move with grace and balance transpired and if it wasn't for the outstretched arm of the goalie the game may have been killed stone dead. Excitement escalated, Linnets were flapping for all the wrong reasons, Hanley were exposing a stout, resolute backbone of belief. Again Hanley came, numbers 9 and 11 combined with the latter (Angelo Errico) slapping the ball in at the near post and increasing his teams lead. One would think Runcorn would come back with boldness but Hanley had yet another chance, when No 7 broke again, crossed to a team mate who just missed the target. Possession wise the game was balanced but this was about taking chances when they fell and when Hanley won a free kick and superb ball was delivered into the danger area it was no surprise to see Johnathon Higham rise up and nut home yet another goal. 4 - 1 up against one of the best sides in the league, what an impressive away performance. Another chance could have made it 5 but a weak volley failed to create any triumph and whilst Runcorn huffed and puffed in response it seems that no matter what they did today the end result would always be a disappointment. They did muster a consolation goal though, which raised slight hope, after a looping shot from Zachery Aley fooled the keeper and reduced the uncomplimentary deficit somewhat.
Now, at last, momentum shifted, a few yellow cards were brandished as one team threw in the kitchen sink and the other dug deep from the trenches. Hanley were never severely tested though and when they broke again I feared the worst and after a shot was missed a careless foul came and another penalty was awarded. Up stepped Sean Mountford and coolly placed the ball in the corner for his second of the match. Game over it seemed - 5 - 2 to the visitors, who would have thought it? Expecting the whistle to sound it must be added that there was just time for the losing side to thrust forward and rattle the post and then fire the rebound wide and also for Hanley to create another chance from a free kick that was skied from all of 5 yards - what a match this was! The ref finally blew - a total surprise was confirmed but you would be an awkward git to deny that Hanley deserved this and really had several exceptional performances within their squad that just made the overall difference. Man of the match could be one of several for the away lads but one must go for the netman (Joe Hemmings) who kept his team in it in the first half and produced one or two tidy saves in the second which swung the game his teams way. Big applause for the lad in question, it is sometimes an unenviable role being stuck between the sticks but also one that can save the day - as shown on this occasion.
FINAL THOUGHT - The first match attended of the new year and what a start! Runcorn Linnets are undoubtedly a good team and Hanley are a solid unit who know how to hold their own. Today the Linnets went home well and truly plucked and the Hanley chaps soaring high like hawks who have swooped in for the kill and taken off their quarry to enjoy. This season is far from over, both sides have much to play for and they could both be involved in a serious shake-up come the Spring. Will one be sat on eggs of glory and the other squawking with delight, it all depends on how deep the claws can be dug in and how high the peckers can be raised. I shall be watching both teams closely and of course, wishing them all the best. The next time they meet could be one for your calendars - miss it at your peril!
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