Runcorn Linnets v Northwich Victoria : League 18th November 2017

Runcorn Linnets v Northwich Victoria : League 18th November 2017

Vics started brightly and Jay Hart had a chance early on when he was left unmarked at the far post but Mendes in the Linnets goal was equal to his shot and parried it out for a corner. However it was Linnets who took the lead after 16 minutes when a ball over the top of the Vics defence was latched onto by Houghton whose shot just evaded Donlon in the Vics net to give them a lead against the run of play. Vics kept going though , and Mendes had to pull off an excellent save at point blank range from a Brian Matthews effort at the far post. Linnets extended their lead after 37 minutes, when they combined nicely down their right and a drilled cross from put in by Houghton for his, and Linnets second. Then on the stroke of half time, Mitch Bryant was given time to turn on the edge of the area, and curled a shot into the top corner giving Donlon no chance .

Half Time : Runcorn Linnets 3 Northwich Vics 0

The first half of the second half was largely quiet with Vics pressing to get back in the game , and Hart was again denied by the Linnets keeper. A terrific goal line clearance from Danny Johnson kept Vics in with a faint chance, and that chance turned into a glimmer of hope after 70 minutes when Matthews beat the offside trap and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper into the net. 5 minutes later, Vics had real hope when after good work by Hart, the ball found it’s way to the returning Matty Clarke whose shot nestled in the back of the net. Moments later, Linnets were down to 10 men, when Bryant elbowed Allen Weston, resulting in a fractured cheekbone for Weston, and a second yellow for Bryant ( should have been a straight Red anyway). Vics now sensed they could get something out of the game , and pushed forward but it was Linnets who broke quickly and Shanley converted an early cross from Potter . Vics never gave up, and there was still time for Sam Fitton to rattle the crossbar with a tremendous effort.

Full time : Runcorn Linnets 4 Northwich Victoria 2 ( Matthews , Clarke)

A fighting performance by Vics, but not quite enough in the end.