With the surrounding hills covered in a blanket snow the pitch was in remarkable condition looking quite superb in the winter sunshine.

Runcorn Manager Simon Burton had a nice selection problem with returning injured players adding to his at one time depleted squad.

Runcorn started the game brightly but the 1st chance fell to Barlick when Pollard combined with Melia who crossed the ball Town keeper Hayden juggling the ball to safety under pressure from Threlfall.

Beckwith following up had his shot blocked and Runcorn got away with a dangerous situation. Runcorn however controlled the midfield and soon chances began to be created, Lester opened up the Barlick defence and Shanley brought a good save from Reid.

Cummins cutting inside hitting a shot that cannoned off a defender into the arms of Reid.

Spearritt and Keddie combined to set up a clear opening for Dykes who fired his shot inches wide of the target. Barlick broke and the energetic Melia crossed for Threlfall to scuff his shot for Hayden to collect comfortably.

Runcorn however looked the more dangerous and Irlam brought a good reaction save out of Reid, who deflected the ball for a corner.

From the corner Runcorn took the lead in the 13th minute, Shanley whipped the ball in, Grant headed it on and Luke Gibson met it at the back post to head the ball home.

Barlick responded and left back Lee crossed to Threlfall who fired the ball high over the crossbar. When Shanley laid the ball into the path of Dykes the midfielder hit a powerful drive inches over the crossbar.

Runcorn increased their lead in the 27th min when Curtis Cummins hit a spectacular dipping volley over a stranded Reid into the roof of the net from 30yds. It was all Runcorn at this stage and when Shanley’s cross found Irlam in space he side footed narrowly wide of the upright. Barlick pulled themselves back into the game following a foul by McKillop on the edge of the penalty area, Martin Broderick stepped up and drove the ball firmly past the defensive wall into the far bottom corner leaving Hayden no hope of saving.

Following the goal Barlick took control and forced Runcorn to defend. A cross from Threlfall curled agonising just past the top corner with Hayden covering his goal. Runcorn had a glorious chance presented to them when Barlicks McEneaney gave the ball straight to Cummins he unselfishly played Shanley in, but the final shot was wide of Reid’s goal.

 Runcorn started the 2nd half as they had the 1st, Grant split the home defence for Shanley to pick his spot, he rolled the ball past keeper Reid towards the corner of the net but Lee recovered to clear the ball off the line to save a certain goal.

A superb tackle by McKillop resulted in the Referee awarding a corner, fully supported by his assistant I thought they got the decision right, but the Barlick team were convinced a penalty should have been given.

Runcorn were defending well and Barlick were a constant threat especially when Melia got on the ball, he was causing all sorts of problems with his skilful ball control.

As Runcorn countered a long cross from Spearritt was turned onto a defender by Keddie, the ball rolling for a corner.

Runcorn got a much needed third goal when Shanley was fouled by Pollard.

From the free kick Paul Shanley curled a superb ball around the wall and just inside the far upright in the 65th min.

From a similar position another free kick was awarded Shanley tried the same again this time however the ball landed on the top of the net.

Runcorn were awarded a penalty in the 72nd min when Irlam was brought down in the penalty area when attempting to latch onto Keddie’s clipped pass, Andy Potter stepped forward to hammer the spot kick home.

Reid brought off an excellent save to deny Grant, who was having a superb game for Runcorn and clearly their man of the match.

Kinsey and Shanley played a series of one two’s eventually resulting in a curling shot from Shanley that was only inches wide of the far post.

A precision pass from Grant put Paul Shanley through and he stroked the ball home in the 85th min to increase Runcorn’s lead.

The scoring was completed in added on time by Curtis Cummins who raced on to Shanley’s through ball to drive the ball firmly home.

Barlick never gave up and 6 – 1 was a harsh result after so much effort from the home team.