RUNCORN Linnets stormed into the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup largely thanks to a finishing master-class from striker Kurt Sherlock, who helped himself to five goals in a 6-1 replay demolition of Glasshoughton Welfare at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

With a delayed start due to traffic problems encountered by the visitors en route from Yorkshire, Linnets manager Joey Dunn was without skipper Michael Ellison and longest servant Matt Atherton from Saturday’s team, but named a strong side and equally impressive subs bench, with Michael White and Mark Houghton returning to the starting eleven.

Houghton's first action was to dust himself down after a late challenge in the opening minute, and that unfortunately seemed to set the tone for the game. The visitors had a player sent off in the first half and received four cautions to the Linnets’ one.

A fantastic diagonal cross from Kyle Hamid to Jamie Buckley fell to Frannie Smith who shot just over, and Smith was again released after a great, incisive move from the Linnets but again to no avail.

At the back, River Humphreys cleared up after sloppy defending, but the Linnets largely controlled the opening stages.

A dangerous free-kick was headed just wide by Michael White. Glasshoughton's Daniel Cawley was shown a yellow card in an altercation after a foul on Mark Houghton just before Franny Smith played in Kyle Hamid whose shot was gathered by Matthew Stables in the visiting goal.

Sherlock started to show his skills, beating two men to make his way into the box, and on 19 minutes he broke the deadlock, rounding the keeper to calmly slot into an empty net. Glasshoughton were reduced to 10 men when Iain Blackburn was spotted kicking out at Jamie Buckley by an assistant referee, and this allowed the Linnets to take even more of a stranglehold on the game.

More great skill from Sherlock saw him beat a defender and square for Kyle Hamid, who unselfishly laid the ball onto an unmarked Mark Houghton. His strike, however, rattled the crossbar, and both he and Kyle Hamid went close again as the Linnets went in search of a second.

Glasshoughton's first real effort came when Cawley's ball into the box was struck wide by Del Pollock, but the second goal for the Linnets came from Sherlock who turned and delivered a delicious finish in the 41st minute.

Glasshoughton showed a fighting spirit and pulled one back just before half-time when Pollock broke and hit an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of Richie Mottram's goal. The half finished with an unpunished late challenge on Kyle Hamid, and the second period started in exactly the same way, although Jack Kirk received a caution for his troubles this time.

Hamid saw his looping header dip just over the cross bar after a great delivery from Michael Simpson, whilet yet another speaking to for Cawley after a late challenge was surely his final warning.

Welfare's Williams and Walsh along with Sherlock for the Linnets also found their way into the referee's notebook, as the game became slightly disjointed. It wasn't long before the Linnets regained their composure as right back Kieron Brislen beat two defenders and fired in a tremendous, swerving shot that Stables somehow managed to turn round the post with one hand.

Smith, Hamid and sub Jay Robinson combined to play Hamid back in, great football to watch as Runcorn enjoyed the majority of possession.

Brislen's next cross just eluded Mark Houghton before a driving run from Frannie Smith saw him beat two men only to fire just over. Mark Houghton started to rampage down the left, and his second foray into the box saw him square for Jay Robinson who tapped in for the Linnets third goal and 3-1.

Three minutes later, in the 71st minute, a deflected shot popped up invitingly for Sherlock who swivelled acrobatically to fire in for his hat-trick and Runcorn's fourth.

The Linnets continued to keep possession, going sideways and backwards if needed, and in the 78th minute it was 5-1, Michael Simpson's shot being only parried and Sherlock was on hand to grab his fourth.

There was still time for more and in the 88th, Sherlock saw his goal-bound shot deflected past Stables to complete the rout, which sets up a home tie with Pontefract Collieries - like Glasshoughton a Northern Counties League East side but one step higher in the Premier Division.

Kurt Sherlock takes the plaudits but this was a fine team performance after the disappointing display on Saturday with quality being shown all over the park.

Runcorn Linnets: Mottram, Brislen, Buckley, Humphreys, White, Cross, Simpson, Hamid (capt), Sherlock, Houghton, Smith. Subs: Armstrong, Robinson, Hilton. Not used: Halfacre, Weeder, Donohue, Kennerley.

Glasshoughton Welfare: Stables, Coyles, Morley, Cawley, Williams (capt), Walsh, R Fish, Kirk, Pollock, Blackburn, K Fish. Sub: Snaith. Not Used: Prudhoe, Norbury.

Attendance: 274.