TOWN ROUND OFF PRE-SEASON WITH WIN

Runcorn Town emerged through a tough pre-season campaign with an unbeaten record after a 3-1 victory over Cymru Alliance League Champions Gap Connahs Quay in their final warm up match.

Town got off to a flyer and were ahead after just a couple of minutes when a deep cross from the right was headed in at the back post by Ryan Malone.

The lead only lasted until the 10th minute with a goal that the Town faithful believed should have been ruled out. Danny Dalton appeared to be fouled in his box with Rhys Healey picking up the loose ball and firing a low shot from close range past Karl Wills. Dalton hobbled off to end his afternoon's workout.

Town looked dangerous whenever they were going forward and were down back in front after 18 minutes when the home defence allowed Scott Burton to advance unmarked to the edge of the box, and he punished with a stunning finish.

A minute later it was 3-1 with Ryan Malone advancing down the left before playing a nice one-two with James McShane with the younster scoring from an acute angle for his second of the afternoon.

Town continued to look dangerous on the break and limited the hosts to mainly long shots for the rest of the half. The second half saw the home side come into it more but excellent defending kept chances to a premium.

Connahs Quay were denied a goal in the 56th minute when Shaun Roscoe's free kick from the left evaded everyone and found the corner of the net, with the referee ruling it out for "interference" on Wills by a player standing in an offside postition.

The best chance of the game came in the 67 minutes when Andy Alston was fouled in the box, but Wills pulled off another fine penalty save from Danny Forde's spot kick.

The only other effort of note came from substitute Stephen Belli who struck the inside of the post with a fine effort with the ball rolling along the line before being cleared.

Posted at 22:07 on Monday 1st August 2011 - Viewed 321 times