RUNCORN Town bounced back from the loss against 1874 Northwich last Saturday with one of the best performances of the season in a 4-0 win over Abbey Hey, a result that guaranteed the Weston Point side top spot in the Hallmark Security League at Christmas.

The game was preceded by a minutes silence in respect of Mr Les Bullock, the former West Cheshire League Secretary and Senior Cheshire FA official who passed away on Thursday.

Les had stood up for Town at a Cheshire FA meeting when they changed name, and was a good friend to many at the club over the years.

Town got off to a good start when Kevin Exell put them ahead after just three minutes with a shot across Elliott Wynne into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Abbey Hey responded with efforts from George Noon and Nico Collins that flew wide of the upright.

Town increased their lead in the 19th minute when Craig Cairns fed the ball through to Joe Holt who placed his left foot shot in to the corner.

And after 31 minutes Town got a third goal when a cross from the right found Simon Thelwell who headed the ball down for Craig Cairns to volley home his 40th goal of the season.

Debutant keeper Mike Langley came off his line to block the ball at the feet of Collins, the accidental collision resulting in an injury which left Langley unable to continue, Town captain Simon Thelwell taking over in goal with Olly Nugent replacing Thelwell up front.

Town got a 4th goal in the 76th minute when Joe Heath’s accurate cross picked out Kevin Ewell on the back post and his header flew across Wynne into the far corner of the net.

The final word must go to Thelwell, who did really well to tip a dipping deflected shot from Ford over his crossbar, then holding a low drive from Collins to maintain a clean sheet.