Cheshire Senior Cup Semi-Final - Runcorn Linnets 2 Cammell Laird 1907 1
Tue 5th March 2019 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
A goal 19 minutes from time ended Cammell Laird 1907's hopes of causing an upset in the Cheshire Senior Cup Semi-Final at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.
In a game played for the most part in heavy rain, Runcorn Linnets enjoyed the better of the possession overall, especially in the first half, but Lairds dug in and were just a goal down at the break.
They then battled back from the blow of having an equaliser disallowed to draw level through a Josh Brabin penalty just after the hour.
But Linnets booked their place in the final with a close range effort from Aaron Morris.
Against a Linnets side who were, of course, last season's Hallmark Security League champions, Lairds began well, enjoying their share of possession in the early stages, and they created the first clear chance of the game in the 15th minute when Patrick Hamid dragged a shot wide.
But Linnets hit the front at the midway point in the first half, when Frank Jones punished a poor clearing header from a corner by burying a fierce shot into the net from inside the six yard box that gave Lairds keeper Michael Dixon no chance.
Lairds responded three minutes later when a low Josh Brabin free kick from distance tested Jordan Perrin in the Linnets goal, with the keeper doing well to save the shot before the loose ball was eventually cleared for a corner
But just before half time Linnets spurned a golden opportunity to double their advantage, when Paul Shanley's surging run down the right ended with him driving a low cross into the box that Robert Evans blasted over the bar from close range.
It had, none the less been a decent first half from Lairds, who had worked hard to stay in the game against a team almost two divisions above them in league placings.
Eight minutes in the second half, the game's major talking point arose when Ben Dutton-Kelly appeared to have headed home an equaliser for Lairds from a corner, but to the annoyance of Lairds players the referee blew for a foul.
It was a decision that few in the visitors camp could understand, although a few minutes later at the other end, Linnets also suffered the same fate when a great strike by Liam O’Neill was ruled out by the flag of the assistant referee.
But just after the hour, Lairds did draw level and there was no dispute this time, when Ryan Burke was brought down in the box to win a penalty, and Joshua Brabin made no mistake with the spot kick.
However, Lairds were level for only eight minutes before Linnets hit the front once more with what turned out to be the decisive goal, when a corner kick was flicked on at the near post, and Aaron Morris headed the ball through a ruck of players.
As the game entered the closing stages, play swung from end to end, and Lairds had their chances to draw level again with Stephen Rothwell twice coming close.
First, he hooked a volley inches over the bar, and minutes later forced a fine save from Linnets keeper Perrin from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
Linnets hit back and after Tom Bailey spurned a great chance to seal the win when he fired over at the far post, Paul Shanley missed a penalty and then rattled the crossbar in the closing minutes.
But the game ended with no further scoring, and Linnets will now take their place in the final of the competition for the first time in their history.
Cheshire Senior Cup Semi-Final - Runcorn Linnets 2 Cammell Laird 1907 1
Tue 5th March 2019 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
A goal 19 minutes from time ended Cammell Laird 1907's hopes of causing an upset in the Cheshire Senior Cup Semi-Final at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.
In a game played for the most part in heavy rain, Runcorn Linnets enjoyed the better of the possession overall, especially in the first half, but Lairds dug in and were just a goal down at the break.
They then battled back from the blow of having an equaliser disallowed to draw level through a Josh Brabin penalty just after the hour.
But Linnets booked their place in the final with a close range effort from Aaron Morris.
Against a Linnets side who were, of course, last season's Hallmark Security League champions, Lairds began well, enjoying their share of possession in the early stages, and they created the first clear chance of the game in the 15th minute when Patrick Hamid dragged a shot wide.
But Linnets hit the front at the midway point in the first half, when Frank Jones punished a poor clearing header from a corner by burying a fierce shot into the net from inside the six yard box that gave Lairds keeper Michael Dixon no chance.
Lairds responded three minutes later when a low Josh Brabin free kick from distance tested Jordan Perrin in the Linnets goal, with the keeper doing well to save the shot before the loose ball was eventually cleared for a corner
But just before half time Linnets spurned a golden opportunity to double their advantage, when Paul Shanley's surging run down the right ended with him driving a low cross into the box that Robert Evans blasted over the bar from close range.
It had, none the less been a decent first half from Lairds, who had worked hard to stay in the game against a team almost two divisions above them in league placings.
Eight minutes in the second half, the game's major talking point arose when Ben Dutton-Kelly appeared to have headed home an equaliser for Lairds from a corner, but to the annoyance of Lairds players the referee blew for a foul.
It was a decision that few in the visitors camp could understand, although a few minutes later at the other end, Linnets also suffered the same fate when a great strike by Liam O’Neill was ruled out by the flag of the assistant referee.
But just after the hour, Lairds did draw level and there was no dispute this time, when Ryan Burke was brought down in the box to win a penalty, and Joshua Brabin made no mistake with the spot kick.
However, Lairds were level for only eight minutes before Linnets hit the front once more with what turned out to be the decisive goal, when a corner kick was flicked on at the near post, and Aaron Morris headed the ball through a ruck of players.
As the game entered the closing stages, play swung from end to end, and Lairds had their chances to draw level again with Stephen Rothwell twice coming close.
First, he hooked a volley inches over the bar, and minutes later forced a fine save from Linnets keeper Perrin from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
Linnets hit back and after Tom Bailey spurned a great chance to seal the win when he fired over at the far post, Paul Shanley missed a penalty and then rattled the crossbar in the closing minutes.
But the game ended with no further scoring, and Linnets will now take their place in the final of the competition for the first time in their history.
