Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Newton Match Report

The West Cheshire League's last unbeaten run was ended after Runcorn Town lost 1-0 at Newton.

Town had gone sixteen games since the start of the season without tasting defeat, but on a terrible pitch at Newton, found their usual flowing football difficult to play.

In reality, Town only had themselves to blame after failing to convert a number of one-on-one chances, with Ste Latham, Jon McEvoy and Michael Boyle all guilty of missed chances.

Town started the game well and could have gone ahead after just eight minutes when Warren Bellew was put clear on the left, but his lob from the corner of the box went wide of the right hand post.

Chances after that were at a premium with a very boggy pitch the main reason for this. The home side were relying on diagonal balls over the top for their wingers to run onto, and this almost paid dividends after 22 minutes when Anthony Carroll ran onto one such ball and rounded Karl Wills only for Danny Dalton to clear off the line.

Keith Gray saw an effort from distance go just wide of the left hand post after a corner was only half cleared, with McEvoy playing in Clint Burton for Town's best chance only for Dennis Smith to make a good save.

Newton should have gone ahead three minutes into the second half when Kevin Wright was allowed to run at Town's defence and forced a good save from Wills, with Jerome McIntyre hitting the rebound high and wide with the goal gaping.

With scores still level Town grew in confidence only to be found lacking in the final third. Adopting the long ball over the top that worked for Newton in the first half, McEvoy found himself clear of the defence after 53 minutes but his first time effort was weak and straight at Smith.

On the hour, McEvoy was again played in down the right hand side and his low cross left Latham with just the keeper to beat, with Smith pulling off a terrific save.

Wills again came to Town's rescue after 64 minutes with a low save from a close range Carroll effort, with Wright blasting the rebound into the side netting.

Town then made changes with Ian Robinson replacing Jon McEvoy with Tony Wynne moved up to his favoured postition up front, and Michael Boyle replacing the ineffective Bellew.

Both substitutes had chances to score with Robinson seeing a long range effort fly straight at Smith and Boyle running through the middle of Newton's defence only for Smith to pull off another fine save at his feet.

With a draw looking increasingly more likely, Newton threw on ex-Runcorn striker Lee Kissock up front with two minutes remaining, and within a minute he set up what proved the winner from fellew substitute Ged King.

A throw in from the left found Kissock on the edge of the box and he threaded it through to King who was running goalwards from the left wing. He advanced into the box and fired a low, powerful shot into the left hand corner to the delight of the Newton faithful.

This match report represents the views of the author and not particularly that of Runcorn Town FC.