Clitheroe 4 Runcorn Linnets 1.

Runcorn Linnets went out in sympathy with Clitheroe as the hosts returned to home soil after a chastening 8-1 defeat at Hednesford Town in midweek, writes Dave Bettley.

The Lancastrians needed a confidence boost and Linnets not only presented them with an early goal but three more in a shocking team display.

Linnets had looked set to go into half-time on level terms thanks to Adam Moseley's late equaliser to Clitheroe's opening goal - gifted to them inside two minutes.

But the Blues restored their lead seconds from the break with another preventable goal and Runcorn's defending didn't improve.

Clitheroe doubled their advantage within five minutes of the restart and a fourth goal just before the hour made it a long way home for Antony Kay's side.

There was no denying that they had been second best all over the pitch with Clitheroe first to everything in their determination to restore faith with fans.

It was a game from which no real positives could be taken by Runcorn. They were ineffective in attack and not a lot was seen from a midfield, which was mostly bypassed through overuse of long balls, especially in the first half.

Some early promise had been provided by the wing play of Will Saxon and territorially, the game was fairly even over the first 45 minutes.

But at the other end of Linnets' left flank, Veron Parny led the visitors a merry dance with his speed and trickery. Naim Arsan, again standing in for injured skipper James Short at left back, had a torrid afternoon.

With Clitheroe's central midfielders, particularly Emerich Poilly, more engaged than their visiting counterparts, the hosts carried the greater threat going forward.

Runcorn had got off to the worst possible start when conceding from a free-kick, launched from deep inside Clitheroe's half.

The marking was non-existent as Louis Potts looped a header over Bayleigh Passant, who was caught off his line as the effort dropped in.

Linnets spent the entire half trying to release Moseley in attack and they succeeded with three minutes of it remaining.

Will Saxon and Luke Wall provided the approach work to a fast visiting break with Moseley on hand to finish from inside the box.

But Runcorn's work in cancelling out their early deficit was swiftly undone as from a throw-in on the right, Clitheroe engineered another shooting position.

As Parny drove the ball in low, it bounced off team mate Sefton Gonzales with Poilly firing home after rounding Passant, who had opted to advance from his six-yard box in the hope of intercepting.

Runcorn as a unit were again slow to sense danger in the 50th minute, another long-range set-piece posing a problem.

The goalkeeper's positioning off his line had to be further questioned as a header by Gonzales, with back to goal, flew over him.

The striker's effort dropped from the crossbar wifh Clitheroe, as so often, being quicker to react. Sam Olawumi flung himself full length to head in at close range for a 3-1 lead.

The game was over as a contest, if it wasn't already, in the 59th minute.

Parny's low effort from the right of the area, from another move involving Poilly, went straight in, despite the goalmouth being crowded.

Communication appeared to be lacking until the introduction of Peter Wylie in defence but even then, Clitheroe could have scored more.

Despite their poor away record - they are bottom of the form table away from Shawbridge - Clitheroe are the fourth best home performers in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.

With Linnets having the division's fourth best away return, their travelling support - well into three figures - would have been expecting better, although there was always the worry of a Clitheroe backlash.

Runcorn will, like Saturday's hosts, have a prompt chance of redemption.

They have a home match on Tuesday in the Liverpool Senior Cup second round, Ashton Town the visitors.

Reduced admission prices will apply for this fixture.

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Sam Barratt, Naim Arsan, Jacques Walsh (Adam Morgan 71 mins), Jack Grundy, Harvey Washington (Peter Wylie, 65 mins), Will Saxon, Lewis Doyle (Eden Gumbs, 57 mins) Adam Moseley, Karl Clair (Lewis Nolan, 78 mins), Luke Wall. Sub (not used) Tom Myles (GK).

Attendance: 707.