Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Blacon Youth Club Match Report

Runcorn Town Reserves travelled to Chester to face Blacon Youth Club, one of our former West Cheshire League opponents, and with most of last season�s squad finally available it was more like the reserves first friendly.

The team soon got into there stride putting the Blacon defence under pressure with some neat passing from central midfield where Mike Chesters and Mark McGrath picked up from last. Jack Burbidge on the right and triallist Richie Hargreaves on the left were finding space and posing a threat with their direct running.

It was Burbidge who had the first good goal scoring opportunity running onto a Chesters through ball, with the Town winger leaving the full back trailing in his wake but flashing his shot just wide of the goal.

On twenty minutes Town broke the deadlock when Ged Bushell latched onto an excellent pass from strike partner Warren Bellew and fired left footed high into the net giving the home keeper no chance.

Two minutes later saw an enforced change with young Richie Hargreaves, who had impressed on his debut the previous Saturday at Hollyhead, having to succumb to a knock picked up in the Hollyhead match. Paul Illidge switched to left midfield with Alex Tringham making his Town debut coming on at left back and immediately slotting in with the Town back line of Barry Angel, Mark Tudor and Daryl Evans which was thwarting anything that Blacon could muster.

It was particularly pleasing to see Evans playing his first game on returning to Town following spells with Halton and Helsby in such commanding form at the heart of the defence.

On 33 minutes Town increased their lead with Illidge heading in a superb Burbidge cross to the back stick and three minutes later it was all over as a contest with debutant Tringham rising well to powerfully head home from a Bellew corner from the left.

The second half saw another debutant John McCubinn enter the action in place of Town stalwart Mark Tudor and John did a good job but said he knows he would need to get fitter to have any chance of getting into the team on a regular basis.

Unsurprisingly the game petered out somewhat with no further goals coming from Town although Blacon did manage to get a consolation goal in the 89 minute with keeper Carl Williams holding up his hands as he had attempted to let the ball run out of play for a goal kick but the Blacon forward managed to get to the ball first and turn it into the Town net.

Despite this it was a good work out for all the lads, a big thank you to the Blacon club for hosting this fixture. The pitch was in excellent condition and we would like to wish them all the best for the coming season.

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