Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Barnton Match Report

Runcorn Town Reserves registered their third win of the season with a 4-2 victory at Barnton in Cheshire League Division Two.

Town dominated the early exchanges going close to opening the scoring on several occasions one of the best coming in the 15th minute, following patient passing down the left involving Alex Tringham, Daryl Evans and Ged Bushell with Evans finally playing in Paul Illidge who picked out Jack Burbidge over on the right, Burbidge�s first touch took him clear of the defender and in on goal his well struck shot was turned around for a corner by home keeper Matty Knowles, Kev Hammond took the corner and Karl Kneale rose highest to head at goal, the effort beat the keeper but not the defender who cleared off the line, Mark McGrath put Town ahead just before half time with a blistering free kick which gave home keeper Knowles no chance. Barnton rallied following the goal and for the first time started to exert some pressure which to the Town defences annoyance won them a string of free kicks in dangerous positions Mark Tudor in particular was being penalised with the referee stopping the game to lecture Mr Tudor about his persistent holding of the Barnton striker despite this pressure the Town defence held firm to go in 1 nil ahead at the break.
The second half saw Town very much in control again in the early stages and on the hour Scott Swales got his first goal for the club when he doubled the lead as he seized on an error by centre back Matty Hannon to get in behind the defence and fire an unstoppable shot past Knowles, now with a two goal lead Town brought on Barry Angell for Paul Illidge and continued to press Swales had the ball in the net again soon afterwards but the effort was ruled out for a foul earlier in the move but after this Town eased off and Barnton sensed there chance and managed to sustain some pressure again just as they had at the end of the first half and Barnton did pull one back when Liam McLoughlin won the ball on the right hand side and advanced towards goal unchallenged before slotting past Carl Williams the keeper unlucky that he got his hands to the ball but his attempted save only managed to push the ball onto the inside of the post and in, A wake up call and Town made it 3-1 after 70 minutes with Ged Bushell getting clear of the defence before being brought down in the box - Bushell himself despatching the penalty.
The home side made it a tense last five minutes for Town with captain Jamie Blinkhorn pulling one back, but Swales made the game safe two minutes from time receiving the ball on the edge of the area he held off the full back before producing a neat turn as he cut inside the last defender and fired a shot low into the bottom corner for his second goal of the game to wrap up a convincing 4 � 2 victory.

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