15th February 2017 - Runcorn Town 4 v 1 Maine Road - A day of work, a bit of birding and a lot of Achilles Tendon pain - what a nagging git it is! A quick tea for me and the missus and then out in good time to nip down the motorway to a ground I last visited over 12 months ago. That day was an absolute howler with the wind rattling the corrugated iron at the back of the seating area where I was sat, all alone - boo, hoo. I enjoyed that venture though but tonight the weather looked mild and I would have the grandest company of all - my good lady wife. We arrived at the Pavilions Sports Complex, bought our tea and snacks and awaited the kick off in the clement conditions of this February night. I have a soft spot for Maine Road and always enjoy my visits to their ground but tonight I reckon they would be up against it as Runcorn Town are quite an impressive unit and desperately thirsting for that elusive promotional slot. I, once again, expected much and what I got served up was this.
The bladder of the swine had metamorphed over time and its replacement got rolling at 7.45pm and began an early bout of animation that saw Runcorn hold the greater part of the initial play with an early corner won, a strong ball played in and...lo and behold an own goal forced. 3 minutes on the clock, fortune both ill and good had come to the fore and tilted the game in the way of the home birds. Minutes later The Road were once more put under pressure at the back when a ball was pilfered in the corner, played in and connected with - the shot though just flew over and the guests breathed a huge sigh of relief. Maine Road scampered and out of darn determination and undeniable drive they forced a decision their way, won a penalty which was steadily converted by Connor Hughes to get the match back on an even keel. A more balanced affair ensued, both teams were scurrying like weasels on whizz but for all the huff and puff neither team could sink their teeth into the nadgers of the game and a definite lull in excitement was had. Suddenly, out of the unpredictable blue, a corner was gained by the Runcorn crew from which a solid delivery was given that allowed the nut of Marcus James to rise, connect and find the back of the net. Now where the hell did that come from? 24 minutes on the clock and 3 goals had - the value at this level never fails to impress. Road's backs were now against a sturdy wall and when another cross flew in to the danger zone the quick volley may have just missed the upright but sent out a warning that Runcorn were in the mood to grab a bag full of strikes. Within seconds another corner came for Runcorn, a cool lay off followed and the industrious No 7 let fly with a firm volley only to see the ball zoom inches wide - good effort squire!
As the half now drew to a close Maine Road got back in the mix with several tidy moves just breaking down in the final third but still exuding promise. Alas, as soon as light at the end of the tunnel began to show for the Manchester men the Runcorn netter thumped down a long ball with mayhem at the opposite end ensuing. The visitors No 1 did enough to save the day and earned a yellow card in the process and when the resultant free kick was hammered against the wall and cleared, the dudes on the back foot needed to be grateful to their keeper for helping them go into the break with ambition still aglow.
Half time - a wander, a cup of tea and a Viennese Swirl - oh we cultured folk!
The second half, in brutal truth, was a scrappy affair that saw a hectic start with no individual able to take time on the ball, control the flow and duly dictate. An early looping shot by a Runcorn bod flew over and when another attack came via a typical long ball it was Kev Exell who chased down and lobbed the keeper with ease and forced all the opposing teams heads to noticeably drop. Quality was a rare commodity but as the match progressed the Town displayed the greater desire, the keener bursts of pace and the more driving passion. In truth, Maine Road were as flat as Larry Grayson's arse after a Saturday night love-in (the saucy bugger) but this, in many ways was down to their opponents hustling work-rate that gave them very little time on the ball.
Onwards, still quality would not rear its bare behind and even though the game gave birth to a few zesty tackles the paying punters obviously needed more. Maine Road tried to scrape something from the bottom of a very barren barrel but Runcorn kept threatening to break with high tempo and on one occasion did just that with the move of the game arising and allowing Joe Holt to slide in the 4th goal and deliver a cruel blow to those trying hard but getting nowhere. From here to the final whistle little else happened with one defensive mistake by the visitors nearly buried and a breakaway by the same squad just thwarted at the last by a lunging keeper. The final peeps were issued, the home fans seemed happy and several lasses I spoke to said they enjoyed the match and preferred it to sitting in and watching the box - bloody good on em' I say. Man of the Match tonight wasn't easy but (Matty Woodward) of Runcorn provided the most stable head, tidiest game and constantly enthused and organised his comrades like a good old professional. He knows his role, gets on with it and offers extreme reliability on which his team can depend - nowt wrong with that! To add, this is the second time this player has had the Man of the Match Award off me, by heck, I best start invoicing the bugger!
FINAL THOUGHT - Tonight we saw a typical example of what a team with hunger and pace can do against a team who are in no man's land and who were just hustled out of things and put constantly in a state of panic. If one dangle one's todger in a nest of voracious ants one would expect to get more time to make a plan of action than the Maine Road players got tonight and that is all credit to the Runcorn mob who are chomping at the bit and keen to get something out of a long hard season. I'll be back at both grounds sooner rather than later, wishing both squads the best and hoping Runcorn keep on doing what they do and Maine Road can fill that undoubted potential they have in abundance - keep at it one and all.
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