Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Maine Road Reserves Match Report

Runcorn Town Reserves moved up to fourth in Cheshire League Division Two after a 4-1 victory over Maine Road Reserves. However had the team found their shooting boots, it could have been double figures with a host of missed chances and Maine Road's two keepers in sparkling form.

Jack Burbidge opened the scoring after just seven minutes with his second goal of the season. Ged Bushell played in Paul Illidge on the left with his shot coming back off the right hand post with Burbidge following up well to score.

After fifteen minutes it was almost two when Robbie Gorry's delightful lob from 25-yards came back off the post before being gathered by relieved goalkeeper Andras Weber.

Town squanded a host of chances regularly throughout the half with Burbidge, Bushell and Ian Robinson all going close, with Mark McGrath going closest with a 30-yard shot that was deflected inches wide of the post for a corner.

The second goal finally arrived after 52 minutes when Illidge held up the ball well on the left and fed the ball into Alex Tringham, with Town's left back beating two defenders to get to the byline before crossing for Robinson to slot home.

Maine Road came back into the game just after the hour and should have pulled one back with Carl Williams making a superb double save from Rhys Nevins, the second a particularly astonishing stop. The visitors did reduce the defecit after 77 minutes from the spot with Nevins the scorer after Karl Kneale's rash challenge in the box.

However the comeback lasted all of three minutes with Jason Carey scoring his first of the season by tapping in from close range after excellent work by Gorry on the right who beat two men before hitting a low cross to the back post where Carey was waiting.

Three minutes later it was four, with Carey outmuscling Omar McKenzie in the box before slotting the ball in off the right hand post. It was almost five two minutes later with Carey crossing from the left for Gorry whose volley hit the bar.

Maine Road had the last opportunity of the game with a 35-yard free kick that was travelling goalwards, but Williams made another fine stop to tip the ball over the bar.

After missing a hatful of chances, Ian Robinson doubles the lead after 52 mins with a tap-in following good work by Illidge and Alex Tringham on the left.

Maine Road pull one back from the spot after 77 minutes, with Jason Carey restoring the two goal cushion three minutes later following great work by Robbie Gorry.

Carey then makes it four after 83 minutes capitalising on some poor defending before slotting past the keeper.

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