Barnoldswick Town 1 Runcorn Linnets 2 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Barnoldswick Town 1 Runcorn Linnets 2

2:35pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport

TWO Matt Cross goals in the opening seven minutes proved enough for Runcorn as they withheld a stern Barnoldswick challenge to record their first ever win at the Silentnight Stadium.

Linnets were ahead inside four minutes when Cross headed in Martin Crowder's corner at the back post.

And three minutes later, from a free kick, Michael Burke headed the ball into the danger-zone for Cross to produce a thundering overhead kick against the underside of the bar to make it 2-0.

However, after Runcorn were denied a penalty, the hosts gained the ascendancy enjoying several chances.

Michael Ellison cleared the ball from the line to prevent the biggest threat to the Linnets line and Adam Judge palmed over a forceful volley from Threlfall.

Unable to find that third goal to finish Barnoldswick off, Runcorn had their lead reduced early in the second half when the hosts hit back on the counter, Threlfall scoring from the edge of the Runcorn box.

As Linnets missed another chance, a pivotal moment came on 62 minutes. Ellison brought down Oliver Devenney to receive a booking, but the Barnoldswick man kicked out at Ellison and deservedly saw red.

Initially the 10-man hosts gained the impetus and made the Runcorn defence work hard.

Linnets eventually made their numerical advantage tell to claim the three points which takes them up to 9th.

Runcorn: Judge, Duffy, Crowder, Burke, Tomlinson (capt.), Cross, Ellison, Hamid, Salmon (Bailey 90), McDowell (Atherton 22), Houghton