11:21am Thursday 28th January 2010
THIS year’s unofficial winter break came to an end after 39 days when Runcorn visited Wigan Robin Park in the third round of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup.
Following the club’s fantastic off field progress, the team were unable to follow suit and crashed out 3-2 after extra time.
Wigan took the lead on 15 minutes with a Stephen Williams goal and doubled when Dean Callaway curled a brilliant effort high into Priestley’s top corner.
Priestley never moved, a quality goal.
Runcorn reduced the deficit on 32 minutes when, from a Chris Blundell header, Billy Webb expertly lobbed the oncoming Faulds.
Delivery into the Wigan box became more frequent in the second half and it became evident that Wigan goalkeeper Jason Faulds was prepared to come for everything.
The deeper crosses exposed the ‘keeper’s lack of restraint and in the first 20 minutes Ashcroft twice and Balazs both came close with back post headers.
On 66 minutes Whyte, Hunter and Case combined well just failing to find an end product.
Jay Edwards was introduced for the ineffective Adam Hunter moments later, in a move that saw Balazs move to the right.
Blundell, Whyte and Case all came close as full time approached.
Just as the faithful thought time had gone, Balazs picked up the ball in the inside right channel and slid a perfect ball into the path of Billy Webb who controlled and finished first time into the bottom left corner and send the game into extra time.
Runcorn had chances, but failed to convert them.
An incredible climax to the game began four minutes from time when two poor attempted clearances from Wood and substitute Howard allowed Stephen Williams to be set free.
Myerscough pursued Williams but only succeeded in upending the forward for a definite penalty.
Christopher McNally converted confidently and was yellow carded for removing his shirt in celebration.
There was one more twist - and during a goalmouth scramble a Runcorn player, hard to identify in the fog, swivelled and shot, beating the goalkeeper but not the full-length dive of full back Neil Swift, who was red-carded for deliberate handball.
However, Rob Whyte’s tame effort was saved by Faulds to hand the quarter final place to Wigan.
Runcorn: Priestley, Wood, Ashcroft (Howard), Balazs, Bain, Myerscough, Hunter (Edwards, 68), Blundell (Edgar), Webb, Whyte (C), Case.
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