Following a 15 minute delay in the kick-off, Runcorn failed to get any points from a clash with a strong Salford City side. The visitors, wearing a dark blue kit that made the officials difficult to pick out, were potentially the strongest side the Linnets have encountered so far in Division 1. After having an early goal discounted for offside, Salford went ahead after 21 minutes. Hoots of disbelief from the Runcorn faithful came when a seemingly obvious shirt pull of Runcorn's last man through was completely missed by officials in first half. The second half saw Runcorn with most posession puctuated with incursions into the Runcorn half, but despite creation of some great chances, Runcorn couldn't find the back of the net.

Match Report

Runcorn looked the stronger team, had most of the play, and had more chances, but couldn't find the goal that would surely have clinched the three points.

Match Report   Pictures

Runcorn managed to secure three points from another home win, but fans weren't convinced the "last five minute" curse wasn't going to strike. Dave Thompson put Runcorn ahead in 15th minute, but Formby equalised 9 mins later. Thomas Lamb made it two in the 36th minute, but the game was characterised by Runcorn making a number of chances that just weren't capitalised upon. With the Linnets having most of the play, another goal was in the offing, but it wasn't until the 80th minute that Dave Thompson gave the Linnets their third. With just 5 minutes left, Formby scored their second with a deflection from free kick from about 30 yards out. Despite the fan's fear that the curse would strike and everything would go wrong in the last five minutes, it wasn't founded, and Runcorn held their 3-2 lead. Curse? What curse? ;-)

Match Report   Pictures

After a threatening Trafford side went ahead after 12 minutes, it took Runcorn until the last minute of the first half to equalise with a Dave Thompson goal. The second half saw a renewed Runcorn giving Trafford much more to cope with, and if it wasn't for the fact that Runcorn had a goal disallowed for offside, and a legitimate penalty claim denied, then it could have been a different outcome. However, Trafford always looked dangerous on the break, despite their chances being kept to a minimum by the increased pressure from Runcorn, but they managed to break free with just three minutes to play, and got their second goal leaving the final scoreline at 2-1.

Match Report   Pictures

This morning Steve Carragher signed two new players:

• Darren Jones : A fullback previously at Chester City.
• Dave Standley : A central defender but with versatility across the back, previously at Prescot Cables.