26^th January 2010, Northwich Victoria v Runcorn Linnets FC : 7-1
Not so magnificent 7

After a disappointing exit from the league cup on Saturday, Runcorn paid their first ever visit to the Victoria Stadium this evening to play their old adversary Northwich Vics. So long rivals in the higher echelons of non-league football, Northwich now ply their trade in the Conference North, three tiers above the Linnets. After an anti-climactic semi-final, any faint hopes that the Runcorn fans had of Senior Cup glory were well and truly extinguished as Northwich ran out 7-1 winners.

The starting eleven inevitably showed changes after Saturday’s 120 minute ordeal. Matthew Ashcroft and Chris Blundell, both carrying knocks, were replaced by Simon Howard and Jay Edwards. Adam Hunter moved to right back and Jacob Wood to left back. Lloyd Balazs remained on the right of midfield with Simon Howard starting in the centre.

Things started well. On 2 minutes Lloyd Balazs forced a corner down the right, from which Michael Case nearly scored directly. Northwich then started to take over, passing the ball from side to side finding time and space in equally large quantities. It was Balazs again, however, who threatened on 14 minutes when his deflected left foot effort skimmed a Northwich head diverting it just over the bar.

The highlight of the night arrived on 17 minutes. Simon Howard won a header from a deep free kick and as the ball fell harmlessly in the 6-yard area Danny Meadowcroft inexplicably nodded the bouncing ball past his oncoming goalkeeper to gift the lead to Runcorn. It didn’t last long. You will forgive me for being briefer than usual at this stage:

1-1 (23 minutes) – Long, straight free kick, flicked on by Meadowcroft, volleyed home by the unmarked Michael Connor.
2-1 (26 minutes) – Corner from the left, bounced off one Northwich player straight to the unmarked Nat Kerr to smash home from 6 yards.
3-1 (46 minutes) – High ball in to the box, blatant foul on Simon Myerscough, turn and finish from Wes Bancroft. Dreadful refereeing.
4-1 (53 minutes) – Corner from the right. Michael Connor rises, unmarked (a pattern was emerging at this stage) to head home.
5-1 (69 minutes) – A break away from an attacking free kick, cross from the left palmed down by Phil Priestley, Lee Elam with a first time finish.
6-1 (71 minutes) – Jacob Wood misses the ball, cross from the right, tap in for Jonathan Newby.
7-1 (89 minutes) – Lee Elam waltzes past half the midfield and the whole of the defence to finish left footed in the bottom corner.

Even by default it was hard to understand how Runcorn players weren’t closer for goals number 1, 2, 4 and 5. At the end of the day we were outplayed by a better team who had far more quality. Lee Elam, particularly, stood out as a player of real quality, but there were examples all over the field. This is where we have to aspire to be.

Substitute Matthew Bailey wins the prize for the tallest opponent of the year so far, Rob Whyte stood on top of Lloyd Balazs would still have been smaller than Bailey. I think by the end even referee Croft was feeling sympathetic, after 5 second half substitutions (for which 30 seconds each should be added), 1 minute was added!

We can’t be too disappointed with tonight’s result in isolation, collectively though it has been a poor season in cup competitions. Steve Wilkes now needs to work hard with the team to ensure his ambition of a top 6 finish is achieved. With a return to Runcorn imminent, momentum needs to be built on the field as well as off to lay a solid foundation for success next season.

So as the saying goes, we can now concentrate on the league.

Runcorn: Priestley, Wood, Hunter, Balazs, Bain, Myerscough, Howard (Park, 79), Edwards (Edgar, 58), Webb, Whyte (C), Case (Clarkson, 71). Subs not used: Glaysher, Rigby.
Northwich Victoria: Aspden, Elam, Brown, Meadowcroft, Grand (Bailey, 71), Kerr, Connor, Vermiglio, Newby, Bancroft, Horrocks. Subs not used: Aspin, Riley, Herring, Spencer.

NB. The views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Runcorn Linnets FC or its Board.