5:40pm Thursday 1st April 2010
NEITHER side managed to come to terms with windy Wincham Park conditions and a 19th minute Rob Whyte goal was enough to help Runcorn Linnets shade a close contest on Saturday.
Injuries and work commitments meant a reshuffle for Steve Wilkes.
Lewis Savva made his debut at right back, David Dempsey filled in at left back in the absence of Matthew Ashcroft, with Matthew Clarkson and Simon Myerscough completing the defence.
Chris Blundell returned to bolster the central midfield area and partner Lloyd Balazs. Matthew Atherton replaced the injured Paul Fildes up front.
Michael Case departed on a stretcher and ultimately to hospital with an ankle injury following a robust challenge from Danny Lyons in the 15th minute.
He has suffered a chipped bone and ligament damage and he will be on crutches for a few weeks.
The only real quality of the first half led to the winner.
David Sherlock delivered a first-time ball in from the right that picked out Whyte, who had cleverly backed off former Linnets man Paul Davis.
Whyte took the ball down with his chest and steered the ball underneath Adam Judge in the Formby goal.
Joe Evans forced the save of the game from Phil Priestley, the Runcorn ‘keeper getting a strong hand on the second-half effort.
Sherlock’s half volley wide of the right post on 65 minutes proved to be Runcorn’s best and last effort of the second period.
Runcorn: Priestley, Savva, Dempsey, Balazs, Myerscough, Clarkson, Sherlock, Blundell (Wilkes, 76), Atherton, Whyte (C), Case (Ellis, 15). Subs not used: Glaysher, Forrester.
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