RUNCORN LINNETS FC 1 v 0 SILSDEN AFC

Hill 25. Att. 158

HILL’S CRACKER HAS LINNETS SINGING

A stunning twenty-five yard curling shot from the edge of the Silsden penalty area from David HILL settled this pulsating Christmas Cracker on Saturday. The Linnets fans had been called to clear the snow off the pitch in the morning, in order to ensure that the game went ahead, only one of two games in the Premier League. They were rewarded with three points, which took the Linnets into the top ten, but they had to hold their breath when Joe Gaughan headed an “equaliser” in the second half. It was ruled out for offside.

Silsden were without James Nettleton but with Tim Hird, Arley Barnes and Ben Lamb returning to their accustomed positions, the Cobbydalers looked solid at the back. Indeed they worked the first opportunity, when Danny Bryan sped past left back Neil Murphy. Unfortunately, the killer pass was delayed and Runcorn were able to clear. On ten minutes Linnets’ keeper Peter Collinge was swiftly off his line to deny Gaughan a chance.

The Linnets were soon into their stride, with skipper Rob Whyte controlling the midfield. Sean Pearson wasted one of several half chances, shooting over the bar, after Kevin Towey had broken down the right. Robert Bodie’s effort was similarly off target. When Murphy curled in a superb cross from the right, Danny Husband dived full length to head clear. The Linnets defence cleared a dangerous free kick from John Douglas at the second attempt.

The Linnets took the lead with a goal of the highest quality. Hird lost possession outside the penalty area. The ball broke free. There was plenty of defensive cover but HILL hit his shot so sweetly not even the impressive James Mann could get anywhere near it. It was a goal to grace any game.

Minutes later Jake McEneany suffered a serious injury to his arm. Young Ben Geary took his place. Both Gaughan and Andy Lee were caught offside several times, as the Runcorn defence timed their moves forward to perfection. Silsden’s best outlet was through the pace of Danny Bryan. Gaughan managed to get a head on a Bryan free-kick but his effort was easily cleared.

The Linnets contiued to dominate the efforts count. Matt Atherton hit yet another shot over the bar before Whyte broke clear. Mann dived low to his right to push the ball for a corner. In the final five minutes of the half, three corners were whipped across the Silsden goal area without any of the Linnets’ players getting a touch. When the fourth came across, Bodie drove the ball back in but Barnes cleared off the line. Silsden managed to get Silsden’s first shot on target in the final minute of the half but Collinge saved comfortably.

Kevin Towey should have done better in the opening minute of the second half. Having played a one-two, he broke down the right, cut in, only to shoot into the side netting. Silsden then began to look more dangerous. Chris Lawton headed Lee’s effort clear and Collinge managed to dive at Bryan’s feet after the winger had cut in along the byline.

Whyte missed another chance to put the Linnets two up when he fired Bodie’s flick-on over the bar. With the Linnets defence playing a high line, Silsden were finally beginning to read “the offside trap”. Gaughan made a super run to reach Barnes’ cross and head beyond the advancing keeper. With the ball in the net the crowd was silenced! Until they saw the assistant’s flag raised. After the game Gaughan said “ I felt I was level when I made the run”. From the sideline it looked like it was a very close call. With an attacker running in and defenders running out only the camera would tell.

Silsden still pushed forwards. Hird was winning the ball, Hanson was picking up the pieces, and Douglas was spreading the ball but equally the Linnets defenders were doing their job. Although Hird was booked for one reckless challenge, the referee recognised when committed players made mistakes on the greasy surface.

Josh McNulty, another of Bobble’s “Barcelona Babes”, replaced Hanson. Quickly into the game, he sent over two curling crosses from the left, but Lawton and Bodie stood firm. It was end to end. In the last five minutes, Mann brought gasps from the crowd, and applause. When Whyte headed powerfully from close range, it looked like the game was over but the Silsden keeper twisted in mid air to block the effort. Whyte hit the rebound with such ferocity that he expected the net to bulge. Mann dived low to his right to push the ball for a corner.

The Linnets played out the rest of the game holding on to what they had. Try as they might, the Cobbydalers just couldn’t snatch that vital goal. What a game!

On Boxing Day Silsden entertain Colne. Kick off 3.00pm.

RUNCORN LINNETS FC Collinge, Murphy, Savva(Fitzsimmons 79), Bowes(Lloyd 60), Lawton, Bodie, Towey(Prescott 87), Hill Atherton, Whyte, Pearson. Subs not used. O’Reilly, Glaysher.

SILSDEN AFC Mann, Barnes, McEneaney(Geary 31), Hird, Husband, Lamb, Bryan(Wademan 87), P. Hanson(J. McNulty 77), Gaughan, Douglas, Lee.