WEST KIRBY PROGRESS IN CHESHIRE CUP

Runcorn Town crashed to their heaviest defeat since March 2006 and bowed out of the Cheshire Cup at the first hurdle after a 3-0 loss at West Kirby.

Town went into this match missing over half of the regular first team through holidays, suspensions and injuries. Martyn Gill made his first team debut in goal with Karl Wills on holiday, with Danny Cummins' performances for the reserves earning him a call up to the first team.

Despite missing so many, the first half was dominated by a skilful Town side who had put the ball in the West Kirkby net on two occasions only to be ruled offside by the linesman both times. Ste Latham also had a good opportunity to open the scoring when he got in behind the defence only to put his one-on-one opporunity agonisingly wide of the post.

As so often happens when one team is in control, the other goes and scores, and this proved the case when West Kirkby went ahead just before half time with John Paul Stanhope breaking through a static Runcorn defence and rolling the ball past the Gill to give the home side a half time lead.

This proved to be the killer goal, with Town nowhere near as dominant in the second half and the hoime side much more competetive. The West Cheshire Champions added two further goals which were both scored by Kev Ryan to make it a miserable day for Town.

Manager Nick Armitage wil be pleased with the performances of Danny Ciummings and Matty Jones but will need to revitalise his team for the visit of fellow high flyers Newton next Saturday.

Posted at 18:30 on Saturday 20th September 2008 - Viewed 261 times