This game went ahead as scheduled on a pitch that could be described as heavy that cut up severely as the game progressed, making the passing somewhat less than perfect. It was again played in a competitive spirit by our hosts who are at the top of the West Cheshire League and as expected gave us the fitness test we required.

The game finished without a goal [0-0] although we created quite a few chances that should have been converted and probably would have been on another day. It was another chance to have a closer look at some of the newer players in the club hoping to secure a place in the side and a further opportunity for the players returning from injury to get minutes under their belts, whilst the rest of the squad had at least 45 minutes of the game as we changed the sides at the interval.

Robbie Moore looked a lot more comfortable today than last week which is promising. Kieron Durkan came off late in the game with tight calf muscles. Martin Molyneux was still suffering from cramp and nursing a knock from Saturday and took no part.

McMillan cried off late again. Grant couldn't make the game. Other absentees through work and holiday commitments - McGinn, Ness, Lally, Locke,

It was a Bank Holiday and people have family commitments at this time of year and on behalf of Alvin McDonald, myself and the players I would like to thank any Runcorn fans who made the game.

Yours in sport,

Peter Carroll.

Another friendly game to give players competitive minutes has been arranged for Monday 3rd. January 2005 (2:00pm kick off) against West Cheshire First Division side Heswall at their Gayton Park ground in Heswall [weather and pitch permitting].

For those fans who want to go along to see the game which has a 2pm kick off here are the directions :-

M53 MOTORWAY from RUNCORN [north bound] come off the motorway at JUNCTION 4. Take the A 5137 [2nd. turn off] BRIMSTAGE ROAD tthrough Brimstage and then onto Heswall. Continue along this road, passing through Brimstage Village & Centre and Heswall Railway Station [both on the left, nearside of the road]. After passing Ryecroft Road [on the left], the entrance to the ground is on the left.

For those who are travelling from the LIVERPOOL area take the New Tunnel entrance for Wallasey and for ease also turn off at JUNCTION 4 as above. The A 5137 BRIMSTAGE ROAD turn off for Heswall/Brimstage will be the 5th exit moving around the traffic light controlled roundabout.

NOTE - If you reach the main junction of BRIMSTAGE ROAD and BARNSTON ROAD [and inevitably the Glegg Arms Pub] then you have passed the entrance which is fifty or so yards further back]. If the game is postponed I will post on here to inform the supporters who are intending to go. However if it is a late cancellation [I will be leaving for the game at 1230 pm.] then I may not be in a position to do so.

Continuing on from last update Robbie Moore suffered a further reaction to his pelvic strain and was not fit enough to participate against Vauxhall Motors on New Years Day. Tony McMillan 'cried off' very late at 1.20pm. on the day of the game again with an upset stomach that prevented him playing against Capenhurst on Wednesday but on this occasion he never travelled. Carl Furlong had a heavy cold and John Robertson saw out his one game suspension. Martin Molyneux suffered a bout of cramp in the Vauxhall game and had to come off which considering his lack of games since the beginning of November was not surprising. Kieron Durkan will be given an opportunity to test his hamstring in Monday's game.

Considering the appalling weather, both teams put up a good performance in an entertaining match, marred only by the sending off of a Vauxhall player in the closing minutes of the match for what can only have been violent conduct. Jimmy Turner scored in the 58th minute, but Vauxhall equalised just 5 minutes later.

Match Report

In view of the postponed game at Vauxhall Motors on Boxing Day the club took advantage of the milder weather today and played a behind closed doors game against Capenhurst Villa, a local West Cheshire League club at their home ground.

It was an opportunity for all the available players to get minutes under their belt considering the festive season and at the same time gave players looking to return from injury the chance to test their rehabilitation and new players in the club to show what they can do.

On a heavy but very playable surface against a strong and competitive side Robbie Moore came through 45 minutes of football and hopefully he is now on the mend. Martin Molyneux played 75 minutes before coming off as another precautionary measure. David Ness, Steve Carragher figured too and came through after their bouts of infection. Ged Nolan played the second half and seems to have fought off the foot injury that would have scuppered him playing last Sunday. We now have to wait for any reactions.

The game also allowed the new incumbents, keeper Ashley Timms, [Tony McMillan having attended was still feeling the effects of a stomach bug], Tyrone Grant and Phil McDiarmid to play the whole match as did Jordan Burke.

For the record Capenhurst gave a very good account of themselves and played with a competitive spirit that we anticipated and fully appreciated. Goals from McDiarmid, Molyneux [2] and Courtney settled the score [4-0].

The club sincerely thank the Capenhurst club for their amenability and hospitality which was a credit to them and we wish them well for the New Year.

The club have signed Tyrone Grant, a Manchester lad. 18 year old, 6 feet plus left sided central defender/full back. Tyrone has been released from Manchester City's Academy and would have been available for selection for the [now postponed] Vauxhall Motors game today [26.12.04.].

The injuries still mount. Ged Nolan [foot injury last time out], Robbie Moore [recovering from pelvic strain], Kieron Durkan [hamstring], Martin Molyneux [shins] are all unavailable for selection at this present time.

John Robertson [suspended], Anton Lally in the USA over the Festive period and Tony McMillan would also not have been available for the Boxing Day encounter with the Motormen although Ged Courtney is now back in contention from his one game suspension.

Yours in sport,

Peter Carroll [Assistant Manager].