Potter hits a hat-trick as Runcorn Linnets post another victory

Barnoldswick away is a fixture that everyone looks forward to, albeit it uncomfortably.

The wonderful Lancashire surroundings, the warm welcome from the hosts and the excellent catering are to be balanced off against what is always a very difficult game on the pitch.

Anthony Hickey was restored to the starting line-up, in place of Adam Jones, in the only change to the team that had beaten 1874 Northwich in midweek.

The Linnets started brightly but actually fell behind to a well-taken goal from Emmanuel Ogunrinde.

The period that followed wasn’t the best for the Linnets, with passing going astray all over the pitch and Barlick holding firm in defence.

It took a moment of real quality on the half-hour mark to get the visitors back into the game.

Paul Shanley had come infield to collect a loose ball, and he slid an inch-perfect through ball into the run of Hickey, who took a touch before slamming the equaliser past Jordan Gidley in the Barlick goal.

From that moment on, the Linnets would dominate.

The Linnets really cemented their dominance after the half-time break but, frustratingly, without taking advantage of good positions.

When an opening was worked, it seemed that a touch too many or the wrong choice of pass was being made.

With 25 minutes remaining, Ello brought on Freddie Potter in place of Mark Houghton, and the effect could not have been more devastating.

Only three minutes after entering the play, The Wizard had put the Linnets into the lead finishing from six yards out.

With 10 minutes remaining, the Linnets scored the killer third and it was another tremendous team goal. Corrigan spotting the run of Potter, played a perfect 40-yard ball over the top that found Potter who secured maximum points for the travelling Linnets.

Linnets scored their fourth with virtually the final kick of the game from Potter.