A STUNNING left foot strike from David Hill was enough to see off a typically obstinate Silsden side at the MLS.

First mention must go to the army of volunteers, including many of the players under the instruction of General Towey, who gave up their time to help ensure that both the playing surface and surrounding areas were fit for football.

Playing away from the newly named Hallmark Security Stand, Runcorn started well.

The only goal of the game, Runcorn’s 500th in competitive games, arrived on 25 minutes and it was brilliant.

Silsden thought they had snuffed out another right wing Runcorn attack, but when the ball ricocheted away from a tackle on the corner of the 18 yard area, it fell perfectly for Hill who instinctively let fly with his left foot.

It was, as the saying goes, a goal from the moment it left his foot. The despairing dive of James Mann in the Silsden Goal wasn’t enough to get to the ball as it curled round the ‘keeper into the top corner of net.

The second half proved to be more even, with both sides enjoying spells of pressure.