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Runcorn Town Reserves went back to the top of League 3 with a comfortable 4 - 0 home victory over Blacon Youth Club Reserves. Some credit should be given to a very young Blacon team for never giving up on their efforts, despite going behind as early as the 6th minute, through a goal scored by Town debutant Craig Bingham from a follow-up to a fine strike by Pete Murphy which had struck the right hand upright. More Runcorn Town pressure resulted in a fine save from a David Ginever piledriver only 2 minutes later, and this was quickly followed by a great opportunity for Matty Grice to double the lead when put through by Martin Daly - only to be denied the chance when blatantly pulled back when advancing on goal, with Town man-of-the-match Robbie Darlington placing the resultant free kick inches wide. Darlington proceeded to try his luck again in the 25th minute following a short free kick, this time seeing his 25-yarder go wide of the opposite post. The best chance of the match, however, fell to Blacon on 30 minutes when they somehow managed to put the ball over the bar when it seemed easier to score from a one-on-one with goalkeeper Matty Wilson. They did not let this dampen their spirits, and went close to equalising with a direct free kick only 5 minutes later. It was somewhat against the run of play that Town doubled their lead on 40 minutes, again scored by Bingham, following a Murphy cross which was stumbled by the keeper. On the stroke of half time Bingham was presented the opportunity to complete a first half hat-trick following excellent work by Town captain Paul Illidge, only to see his effort go agonisingly wide of the post by inches. Town continued to apply the pressure immediately from the restart, with a super save from a Darlington header being followed by Ginever hitting the near post from an acute angle. The goal of the game came on 56 minutes from Paul Illidge, following a run from his own half which was clinically finished with a left-foot strike - onlookers commenting that the Town captain was much more renowned for his finishing with 3 darts as opposed to with a football ! Town added more agony after 67 minutes when completing their scoring following a great Robbie Davies run and cross, finished by the head of Pete Murphy.

Man-of-the-match for Blacon was goalkeeper Tom Hayden

Town's recipient was Robbie Darlington

Match referee Mal Oliver must also be congratulated for contributing to a fine match.

Town Reserves :-

Wilson, R. Davies, Illidge (1), Ginever, Graven, Daly, Bingham (2), Darlington (MoM), Grice, Anderson, Murphy (1) Subs – Bushell, Tudor, Jolley

Posted at 12:25 on Sunday 19th October 2008 - Viewed 242 times