RESERVES SUFFER SECOND PRE-SEASON DEFEAT

A stern test was expected and got in the latest pre-season friendly for Runcorn Town Reserves, with Tarporley recovering from letting a two goal lead slip to win 3-2.

Despite starting well Tarporley, changed their formation to stem Town's ascendancy and started to dominate midfield possession which eventually they were able to capitalise on when the Town defence were caught asleep following a free kick. Carl Williams made an intial save but the ball spun out to Richie Moss who scored.

Tarporley, playing without the injury prone and aging striker Henry Buckley, increased their lead on the half hour with a Ronaldo-esque direct free kick from Dan Haralambous which keeper Carl Williams had no chance with.

The one thing this Town team doesn't lack is determination and they started to get back into the game - mainly due to the efforts of central midfielders Martin Daly and Robbie Gorry. Striker Ian Cocks went close on a couple of occasions before strike partner Alan Bond reduced the deficit after 37 minutes.

Gorry and Ben Norton linked well down the left with Gorry eventually feeding the ball into the path of Bond who looked up saw the keeper slightly off his line. He placed a perfect right foot shot which curled inside the right hand post.

We don't know what was in the half time mug of tea (ed - it was pepper!) but it seemed to fire up the Town and they took a hold of the game as they went in search of an equaliser. As expected in a pre season friendlies a glut of substitutions started to take place but to their credit it didn’t disrupt the pattern of the game.

All the pressure was finally rewarded in the 75th minute when Robbie Gorry, who had worked tirelessly throughout, got his just rewards he picked up the ball on the left wing and cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable right foot shot into the net from 25-yards out.

Town had their tails up now and were going all out for a winner with subs Ged Bushell and Paul Angell both going close - Angell possibly could have given the home side the lead but delayed his shot a little too long allowing keeper Callum Reckless to recover his position and block his goal bound effort.

Manager Rod Looker handed 17 year Steve Whitfield his debut in goal and the lad responded superbly thwarting two attacks very bravely coming out on both occasions and diving at the feet of the attackers to block their shots. Unfortunately Steve aggravated a thigh muscle strain he'd picked playing for the Runcorn district team last Thursday so had to cut his debut short being subbed again after only fifteen minutes.

With centre half and captain David Graven then carried off after landing awkwardly when attempting to get his head to a corner kick, Tarporley took advantage and scored what proved the winner a minute from the end of the 90 minutes. A corner from the left was headed in by Joe Marley, who scored for the second time against Town after making his debut in a friendly in March.

So Town Reserves suffered another pre-season defeat but the signs are encouraging, particularly given the fact that the opposition has been from higher leagues on both occasions.

Posted at 13:31 on Thursday 30th July 2009 - Viewed 235 times