RuncornTowns assistant manager Simon Burton returned to 1st team duty and firmly staked his claim for future selection with an impressive display in the Runcorn Senior Cup. It was the first time in 6 weeks that Manager Nick Armitage has had a full strength squad available for selection.

MARK TOOHEY put Runcorn firmly in the driving seat with a goal in the 2nd min., heading home Robinsons cross on the back post. Runcorn were retaining the ball for long periods on a very uneven pitch, they had adapted well to the difficult conditions. Davies pulled a ball back to Carey who blasted it over the crossbar from 10yds. Robinson then has a shot cleared off the goal line as Waterloo defended in depth. Burton then hit the post with the goal unguarded and at his mercy. It was cruel that from Waterloo’s 1st corner in the 14th min that Wills came to catch the ball, he quickly threw to Robinson who raced the full length of the pitch before crossing to SIMON BURTON who sided footed home from 6yds. Some neat play from Salt resulted in a cross that McEvoy volleyed high over the bar. Runcorn got a 3rd goal in the 22nd min., STEVE LATHAM turning on the edge of the area to hammer home an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the net. JOE DAVIES got a 4th in the 28th min to make it 4-0 and to their credit Waterloo never gave up the fight, heads did not drop, they still chased and challenged for every loose ball, the disgraceful playing surface was hampering the home side as much as the visitors. Burton headed over the bar from McEvoy’s cross, then a clever lob from Burton found Carey who shot narrowly wide. SIMON BURTON headed home a high ball from Latham for Runcorn’s 5th on halftime. There was still enough time however for Latham the blast the ball over the crossbar before the Referee blew for the interval.

HALF TIME WATERLOO 0-5 RUNCORN TOWN Waterloo keeper BELLFIELD produced an amazing save to deny Greg Byrne’s header, Latham then had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper. Matty Jones hit a long range effort over the bar then Carey headed over from a Davies centre. Runcorn Manager Nick Armitage introduced Kyle Hamid for his 1st game for 6 wks and his influence was plain to see in the midfield area. A long kick by Wills produced Runcorn’s 6th goal, JASON CAREY slotting home to increase his personnal goal tally, Hamid tried his luck from 35yds but the ball cleared the crossbar. Some neat football by SIMON BURTON created an opening which he accepted and recorded the 7th goal of the game. Danny Dalton came on as a sub for Town and Played in McEvoy who chipped the ball over the bar when well placed. SIMON BURTON chipped the ball into the top corner of the net for Runcorn’s 8th, then Hamid cannoned a ball just past the upright. Danny Cummins was introduced at this stage and he immediately set up a goal for JOHN McEVOY to make it 9. A mistake by Carl Wills presented Waterloo with a consolation goal in the final minutes, GED BURNS rolling the ball into the empty net.

MAN OF THE MATCH for RUNCORN was SIMON BURTON TEAM SHEET RUNCORN TOWN: Wills; Toohey, Jones, Byrne, Salt; Davies, Latham, McEvoy, Robinson; Carey, Burton [Capt].

subs; Hamid, Dalton, Cummins, all used.

NEXT SATURDAY RUNCORN TOWN are HOME to HESWALL in the quarter final of the PYKE CUP, KO 1-30 RUNCORN TOWN RESERVES are AWAY to UPTON RES in a 3rd div fixture KO 2pm