Runcorn Town FC Official Website - Dunston UTS Match Report

Runcorn Town bowed out of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the Fourth Round stage after a 3-1 home defeat to Northern League side Dunston UTS.

Town's progress in the competition has been remarkable given that it is our first season in it, with the club also flying the flag for the Vodkat League as their sole representitives in the competition.

The game got off to a bad start with Dunston ahead after just three minutes of the tie. Town's defence were unable to clear the ball from their box, with Andrew Bulford's shot going through a host of players and into the net off the left hand post.

Bulford's two goals in the last round saw off Heather St Johns to set up this tie, and the striker had a couple of opportunities to increase the lead but was just off target with two efforts and forced a good save from Karl Wills with the other.

Town enjoyed some good possession in midfield but were unable to turn this into goalscoring opportunities apart from James McShane's effort which flew just over the bar after Danny Cummins had played him in.

The home side's task was made much harder in the 28th minute with Bulford doubling the lead. Ste Latham was slow to react to a quick free kick on the left, with Lee McAndrew finding Bulford who curled a left foot shot into the far corner of the net.

It was almost three on the stroke of half time with Bulford denied his hat-trick by the woodwork following a quick turn and shot from the edge of the box that struck the corner of post and bar.

The next goal in the tie would make or break it, and it arrived four minutes in with Jason Carey's shot hit the arm of a Dunston defender with the referee pointing to the spot. James McShane made no mistake with the spot kick to register his 20th goal of what has been a great season for him.

Town piled on the pressure but much like the first half were unable to create any real goalscoring opportunities with Dunston's experienced defence holding firm. The closest they got was when Emini Adegbenro's mazy run down the right culminated in a low cross which McShane was inches away from wtih Terry Galbraith turning the ball behind for a corner.

The contest was over nine minutes from time when a quick break saw the ball played to Bulford on the edge of the box, and he turned inside and finished with a low shot into the far corner to complete his hat-trick and put his side into the last 16.

Town still have two league cups and promotion to aim for in what has been a fantastic season so far. Dunston's aim is also promotion with an application made for the Evo-Stik League next season, but Wembley is very much in their sights and they will take some stopping with performances such as this. Everyone at Town wishes them luck.

Photographs courtesey of Ken Fitzpatrick via Flickr. Click here to view album.

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