This was two sides looking to test their credentials for the Evo-stik League. Both unbeaten in the league, the visitors having won all their games and as a result 2nd and 1st respectively. The result ultimately favoured the Linnets, but most onlookers would suggest that both showed they were capable of playing a level above. The problem is, there is only one promotion place available.
Match Report – Jonathan Haggart
Photographs – Jim Lockwood
The Hillmen had the best of the first half. In the second minute Jason Carey struck the bar with a terrific effort, creating space for himself 25 yards out before unleashing a shot that dipped over Mottram in the Runcorn goal and cannoning off the crossbar. Sam Hind picked up the rebound put was called offside when the shot was taken.
Dave Young gave more evidence of a positive North End outlook on 6 minutes when he spotted Mottram off his line when taking a free kick from his own half and tried to dip one in, but the shot just cleared the bar.
North End hit the woodwork again on 16 minutes when a free kick on the edge of the box fell to Eddie Moran on the penalty spot, only for his shot to strike the angle of bar and post and bounce away. It took half an hour for Linnets to find their game, but when they did they found the North End defence in a stout mood, and two Haughton shots and one from Burke were blocked by Hillmen bodies in a frenzied few seconds. However, Glossop still pressed and Mottram pulled off a magnificent save from Kelvin Lugsden’s flick from short range, pushing the ball over for a corner. Linnets will have been pleased to get to half time at 0-0.
The game was turned on its head three minutes into the second half. Runcorn won a free kick on the left hand side of the box and swung a free kick into the danger area. A flicked header struck the inside of the post and bounced to the feet of Burke, who drilled the ball home from 6 yards.
Glossop cursed their luck. The ricochet could not have been kinder for Linnets, but there was nothing fortunate about their second goal on 56 minutes when they worked the ball from half way and with a series of crisp passed played the ball behind the full back where Kevin Towey was able to pick the ball up heading towards the corner of the 6 yard box and angle his shot past Greg Hall.
North End panicked. Instead of trusting the game that had served them well in the first half they rushed their passes and gave the ball away far too easily either through sloppy passing or playing the ball long – which was meat and drink for a back line that was 100% six feet tall and muscular.
Linnets simply killed the game. Mottram didn’t really have another shot to save, and whilst Hall too was rarely troubled it was Runcorn that looked more dangerous and had more possession until the last ten minutes. As often happens, Runcorn began to sit back, but North End’s quality going forward was not up to the job on this day, as evidenced by a botched free kick routine.
Quite simply, Linnets had a game plan and it worked. The victory leaves them 7 points clear at the top, but we are only one month into the season and no team wins titles in September. Glossop cannot let this deter them and instead consider that neither of these sides would look out of place a division above. That will hopefully leave them confident when they take on Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup next Saturday, when they will aim to start a new winning streak.
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