RUNCORN TOWN 6 – 0 MAGHULL

11:07am Monday 3rd November 2008

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RuncornTown [WCL Manager of the Month] Nick Armitage was forced to make changes to his side following injuries, work commitments and suspensions, for the visit of Liverpool outfit Maghull in this West Cheshire league 1st division fixture.

David Ginever and David Graven the Reserves central defenders were both drafted into the squad for their debuts in the 1st team, with team mates Alan Bond, Robbie Darlington and Paul Illidge all getting places on the bench.

Maghull put Runcorn under immediate pressure but failed to test Wills in the Runcorn goal. From a corner on the right Runcorn should have taken the lead, Boyle found Toohey who crossed to the back post where Burton headed wide of an open goal. Carey then headed straight at the keeper following a cross by Boyle.

Runcorn were awarded a penalty in the 17th min. following a defender handling the ball from a Robinson centre, JASON CAREY slammed the ball home from the spot kick. Graven and Ginever had settled well into the centre of the Runcorn defence and Maghull certainly tested them with concerted pressure over the remainder of the half. Runcorn got a second goal in the 38th min. somewhat against the run of play, thanks to the alertness of their captain Steve Latham. Boyle fed a superb ball through the visitors defence for Burton, who hit a first time shot that came back off the upright to LATHAM, who side footed it into the empty net. The goal resulted in further pressure from the Runcorn attack, a good run by Toohey saw him through on goal, but his shot was well saved by Maghull keeper Carroll. Then Carey cut in from the left but his powerful shot was well off target. Carey then headed the ball down to Burton who hit a volley that brought a full length save from Carroll.

HALF TIME Runcorn Town 2 – 0 Maghull, Runcorn started the second half in great style Boyle broke down the right hand side his cross found Carey whose goal bound effort came back off a defender on the goal line to SIMON BURTON who immediately fired it into the net. On the hour Toohey and Boyle combined and from this interplay McEvoy crossed to Carey who headed the ball against the crossbar, the rebounded fell kindly to STEVE LATHAM who had no problem in finding the net. BOYLE then had a goal disallowed after Robinson pulled the ball back from the dead ball line, the linesman adjudging Boyle to be offside in the first phase of the move. However when the Maghull keeper produced a fine save to deny Latham his hatrick MICHAEL BOYLE was on hand to put the rebound home for Runcorn’s 5th goal. Town manager took the opportunity to give 3 subs a run, Glynn, Davies and Brown all coming on in the 70th min and all having a positive effect on the game. With Maghull chasing a consolation goal the game opened up and it took a goal line clearance by Ginever to keep Town’s clean sheet.

At the other end Davies hit the post with a curling shot from the right, then Glynn produced a good run that took him to the dead ball line his pulled back cross been wasted by Davies who shot high over the crossbar. Davies made amends though beating 2 defenders before laying the ball into the path of AARREN BROWN hit a spectacular shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards for the goal of the game.

MAN OF THE MATCH for RUNCORN was MARK TOOHEY RUNCORN TOWN: Wills; Toohey, Ginever, Graven, Cumpper; Boyle, Latham [capt], McEvoy, Robinson; Carey, Burton.

subs; Glynn, Davies, Brown all used, Bond, Darlington, Illidge.

NEXT SATURDAY RUNCORN TOWN are AWAY to WATERLOO WANDERERS in a Runcorn FA Senior Cup 1st round fixture, RUNCORN TOWN RESERVES are HOME at PAVILIONS to SOUTHPORT RESERVES in a West Cheshire League Division 3 fixture. KO 2pm.