Runcorn Linnets 4 vs 2 Bootle FC U15 Blue

The lads entered today’s game full of confidence after last weeks opening encounter against Dynamo where we claimed all three points without getting out of second gear.

We knew it would be a tough test today as Runcorn are a strong physical team with good footballers but the lads felt prepared and excited by the challenge.

It was Luca’s turn to have a rest this week and with the team named, for the first in a while our bench looked strong and ready to make a difference if needed.

The game kicked off and it was Bootle who were winning the first and second balls and. Looked very confident all over the pitch, pressing high and creating chances, two early ones should’ve been converted but over playing on our part giving Runcorn chance to clear. We didn’t seem at all troubled at the back with us dealing with Runcorn’s attacks comfortably.
Azzer came on the pitch and instantly got at their defenders causing panic, within minutes Joel won the ball and played Marlowe in on the left hand side, he beat three men then cut to the byline and crossed in for Azzer to get in front of his man to make it one nil. It was all that we deserved and really should’ve been more which our football and control of the game warranted.
Just over the 30 minuets gone and an incident that changed the game happened, Azzer was kicked and then retaliated which saw him see red and we were down to ten men. It was over in a second so a quick reshuffle in shape to contain Runcorn and see out the half with keeping our lead. This was working and us seeing no real trouble until a cross caused confusion and a mistake which then led to players not taking responsibility and giving Runcorn an easy equaliser but more importantly an inroad into the game and renewed confidence after being second best throughput.
HT 1-1
It was going to be a difficult half but one in which we had done before in just as much harder conditions so a containment job would suffice and try and hit Runcorn on the break, subs and a change of shape was introduced.
We started the half solid and competing but obviously giving Runcorn that bit more space than we wanted due to having one less man which was expected. The lads were still creating half chances and in roads into the Runcorn half and the game was now quite even but again another mistake handed Runcorn a second goal.
The lads who were pushing for an equaliser didn’t let their heads go down and we found an equaliser through Marlowe who was excellent again today, pushing us all the way, this was once again what we deserved.
Minutes later another mistake gave Runcorn a third goal, this being now very hard for the lads to pick themselves up to try once again to come back into the game but we did have two chances to score but a bit of luck ran away from us.
With not long left Runcorn scored a fourth capitalising on two mistakes witch then put the game out of our reach.
FT 4-2
This was an extremely disappointing result after dominating early on against a very good team but the positives were there to take forward onto the season as some of our football and control was admirable.
The main worry though was the lack of discipline and focus after the sending half and after one or two of the goals, this caused us the most problems and one that we can do without when playing in a tough league, this can and will be cut out from now, secondly the silly mistakes through lack of concentration was what gave them goals today. We need to dust ourselves and be ready for Springwood next week which I’m sure we will, this will also see the return of Thomas Myers.

Goals ; Azzer x 1 & Marlowe x 1
MOM : It once again goes to Marlowe who created one and scored the other but continued throughput to push us into the game