TOWN RECLAIM TOP SPOT WITH WIN

Runcorn Town moved back to the top of the North West Counties League Premier Division after an unconvincing 1-0 victory over basement side AFC Liverpool at Pavilions.

The visitors were searching for their first victory of the season but have picked up form in recent games, with their goalless draw at Glossop North End of Saturday particularly impressive.

AFC started brightly with Liam Nethercote twice being denied by Karl Wills after breaking clear of Town's defence. Wills, fresh from being named the North West Counties League Goalkeeper of the Month for the second time, pulled off a far more impressive save on 34 minutes, tipping Anthony Brown’s header from a right wing corner onto the bar before the ball was cleared.

Town had been quiet at the other end of the field and rarely tested Josh Molloy in the opposite goal. However Town opened the scoring against the run of play after 40 minutes when Warren Bellew advanced down the left hand side before curling the ball beyond the reach of the young keeper.

The home side started the second half the brighter side with the league's leading scorer James McShane testing the keeper after being played through by Scott Burton. Molloy made another crucial stop from the in-form Mark Keddie who got onto the end of a free kick from former AFC winger Shaun Chart who recently moved to Town.

The visitors came back into the match but man-of-the-match Wills' fine form continued as he again thwarted Nethercote after a sweeping move from left to right. A more impressive stop came late on to deny Steve Jones, with Wills diving low down to his right to tip it around the post.

Town had a second goal ruled out when Chart was adjudged offside after Molloy had spilled Bellew's 20-yard shot, but held on to claim all three points.

Posted at 22:25 on Tuesday 8th November 2011 - Viewed 305 times