TOWN SLUMP CONTINUES AT NEWTON

Runcorn Town's end of season slump continues after a 3-1 defeat at Newton left them with just a slim chance of finishing second.

Upton's loss at home to Ellesmere Port means that Town must win against Marine on Saturday and hope that Upton and Poulton Vics both lose for Town to grab the runners up spot.

Town started the brighter with Aarron Brown and Joe Davies both going close. Brown was finding plenty of space down the right but the poor pitch was hindering Town's passing game. Newton opened the scoring with their first attack after a foul in the box gave them a penalty which Steve Jones converted.

Town continued to press with Davies seeing a shot from the edge of the box tipped over the bar and Jason Carey shooting at the keeper from 25-yards when he could have advanced further towards goal.

Newton had the ball in the net with five minutes of the half remaining when Neil Miles headed a free kick past Karl Wills but the flag was up for offside. Two minutes later Town were level when Mark Toohey's free kick from the left beat the keeper at his near post and found its way into the net.

Brown continued to cause havoc at the start of the second half and forced a good save from the keeper after he beat the left back and shot, and he also saw an effort cleared off the line on the hour mark.

Poor defending cost Town a share of the points with Newton going ahead after 68 minutes. Town had opportunities to clear following a Newton attack down the left but failed to do so with the ball played across goal for Miles to put into an open net.

The third came with five minutes to play when a throw in on the halfway line was needlessly played back towards the defence leaving Miles one on one with Wills. Town's keeper made a good save but Kevin Duncalf followed up to make it 3-1.

Posted at 10:35 on Monday 27th April 2009 - Viewed 238 times