Skelmersdale Utd 1 Runcorn FC 3

Prescot Cables 3 Runcorn FC 3

RUNCORN continued their preparations for the forthcoming season with two entertaining and competitive games against opposition from the North West Trains League Division One.

The games have given manager Mark Carter the opportunity to look at all members of the first team squad, especially the younger players before he decides on his line-up for the opening match of the season away to Worksop on August 19.

Precot Cables provided a good work-out for Runcorn on Saturday and the crowd were treated to a six goal thriller.

The Prescot team included two ex-Runcorn favourites, Aidan Warder and Paul Heavey.

Runcorn made a good start with an early goal from Mike Heverein who returned to the team after missing the last couple of games through injury.

They were unlucky not to extend their lead with the promising John McAllister looking lively up front and causing all sorts of problems for the Prescot defence.

Precot equalised through Heavey as half time approached and then took the lead just after the break with a fine goal from Steve O'Neill who chipped the ball over Ray Newlands into the net.

However, Runcorn were soon back on terms when Heverein was again the goal scorer.

Both teams had chances to win the game in the last 20 minutes and it was Prescot who scored through Gary Jensen with minutes remaining.

Runcorn fought back and Iain Brunskill equalised with what was almost the last kick of the game.

He latched on to a fine through ball from John Benson and calmly slotted the ball past the Prescot keeper.

Newlands was again impressive in the Runcorn goal which leaves Carter with a dilemma for the opening three games of the season.

With regular keeper, Richard Acton, suspended, Carter has a choice of replacement between Newlands, reserve keeper Ryan McMahon and veteran Kevin O'Brien who was signed last season as emergency cover.

Runcorn: Acton; Ward; Chantler; Ness; Ruffer; Brunskill; Robinson; Rigby; Heverein; McAllister; Griffiths; Subs: Benson; Cowley; Carter.

On Tuesday Runcorn travelled to Skelmersdale Utd and came away with a 3-1 win with goals from Alan Cowley, Carl Ruffer and John McAllister.

Ruffer returned to Runcorn after playing in trial matches for Blackpool against Raith Rovers and Morecambe last week.

Despite good performances in both matches, Blackpool have decided not to sign him on a permanent basis.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.