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whip up another win

By Garrett Stephens

RUNCORN ran up another impressive scoreline against their favourite whipping boys Accrington Stanley at Canal Street on Saturday.

Boss Derek Brownbill was happy with both result and performance.

"I thought it was a deserved 3-0, even if we did score two late goals," he said.

The Linnets' manager was also impressed with the form of new loan ranger Richard Irving.

"He led the line well considering he's only played about ten games this season."

There was a minute's silence before kick-off on Saturday in honour of Sam Palmer, one-time chairman of Runcorn who died two weeks ago.

This tribute, well-observed by another sparse crowd, set the tone for a dull first half with Runcorn's patchy display only redeemed by managerless Accrington's apparent determination to play as little football as possible.

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Accrington's Greg Challender, a doppelganger for Vinnie Jones, showed a remarkable footballing resemblance to the Wimbledon hardman by committing three brutish fouls in the first ten minutes, the last of which earned him a booking.

Runcorn established territorial superiority early on but, in the absence of the injured Liam Watson, had to rely on new boy Richard Irving, making his home debut, for inspiration.

His assured first touch and energetic pressurising of the Accrington defenders allowed Runcorn to take the lead five minutes before half-time.

Irving's skill conjured a free-kick on the right. Warder floated it in and McNally rose unchallenged on the edge of the six-yard-box to head past Mulloy in the Stanley goal.

It was a goal the game scarcely merited.

The last notable action of the half saw ex-Runcorn man Steve Haw booked for dissent. The referee then did the humane thing by blowing the half-time whistle.

Runcorn transformed their approach in the second-half improving beyond recognition. Accrington, on the other hand, abandoned all pretence towards making a game of it.

The home side poured forward and created a plethora of chances.

Heavey and Irving combined deftly on the edge of the box but Heavey shot over; Irving's overhead kick went narrowly wide; Irving beat the 'keeper with a stinging shot only to see it rebound to safety off the crossbar.

Morris' first meaningful contribution came after 75 minutes when the Runcorn custodian made a good save from Stanley substitute Greenwood.

Runcorn thought they were through when Salt made a brilliant run, exchanged passes with Heavey and finished off. However, it was ruled out because Salt had foolishly strayed offside. The Linnets saved their best 'til last by scoring twice in the closing minutes.

First the outstanding Irving ran onto a rebound and slotted the ball cooly past Mulloy.

Then Salt waltzed through the Accrington rearguard only to be tripped a defender who was obviously in no mood for dancing.

Brooks, just on as a substitute, converted the penalty to seal the three points.

However, this ultimately comfortable victory was marred by an injury to Accrington midfielder Challender, who was stretchered off in injury-time with a suspected broken leg.

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