Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Ellesmere Port Match Report

Runcorn Town returned to the top of West Cheshire League One after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Ellesmere Port at Pavilions. Emini Adegbenro hit both for Town after Port went ahead nine minutes into the second half.

The first half was an even and competitive affair with both sides having chances to score although Ellesmere Port can feel slightly aggrieved at not taking the lead into half time. The first chance fell to Port with Mark Price's shot deflected wide for a corner, with Greg Byrne heading wide from a corner at the other end.

Ellesmere Port then stepped it up a notch with Karl Wills saving a header from Peter Charles and Adegbenro launching a superb block to stop Steve Scallion's goalbound effort. Karl Kneale was also forced to head a dangerous free kick behind as Port threatened.

Town's rallied themselves with Adegbenro firing a fierce shot across goal but just wide of the left hand post, with Warren Bellew seeing a powerful shot saved by Bob McLaughlin on the half hour. Peter McNulty then squandered two great opportunities for Port, the first when he shot wide from in the box and the second when he and Steve Chambers burst through the centre with Kneale making another superb tackle.

The second half was slow to get going with Marvin Molyneux seeing a header from a corner cleared off the line, but it burst into life nine minutes in when Town fell behind to full back Mark Jones' goal. His free kick from the left hand side eluded everyone in the box and crept into the corner of the net.

This stunned Town but two minutes later they were level when a corner from the left hand side was only half cleared with Emini Adegbenro hitting a stunning strike into the bottom corner of the net.

Town piled on the pressure with Jon McEvoy's header tipped onto the post, Jason Carey seeing a snap shot fly just over and Kneale unable to get the ball from under his feet six yards out following a left wing corner. This pressure finally told after 64 minutes when Adegbenro raced onto a terrible attempted backpass and rounded McLaughlin before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Town could have had more with Warren Bellew the most unlucky person on the field of play. First he saw McLaughlin save with his feet following a quick McEvoy throw in from the right, then Tyson Eyo played him in with his shot coming back off the left hand post.

Bellew also shot wide of the post following a good move involving Eyo and Tony Wynne, with Molyneux and McEvoy having chances late on in the game. Overall a good workout for Town who comfortably saw out the game in the end to move back to the top of the West Cheshire League.

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