Runcorn FC Halton have signed local nineteen year old midfield player Matty McGinn.

A first half goal from Matty McNeil, and a debut goal from substitute Lee Parle saw Runcorn beat Wakefield & Emley in an exciting game. There had been various decisions and bookings that had been unpopular with the crowd, and this was never more the case than when, in the second half, Lee Parle was set upon after comitting a foul. What followed was a lot of shoving and pushing, and people trying to break up scuffles. In the end, Parle was booked, as was the opposition goalkeeper, and substitute, but seemingly the instigator of the whole incident went uncautioned.

Match Report

Chris Darlington is requesting help in research for a play he’s writing. The play is about the famous 3rd round FA Cup game between Runcorn and Preston North End held on 7th January 1939 at Canal Street.

He's looking for people personal memories and experiences of that great FA Cup run and the big game. Maybe people can dig out information or give eyewitness accounts from old letters, press cuttings, scrapbooks, or the odd diary. Maybe you can tell him about the legendary team of 1939. Hopefully, the nostalgia bug will grab people and encourage them to come and watch the present day team so that once again we can become a powerful force in non-league football.

He hopes to put the play on locally early next year, along with a small exhibition of people's letters and momentoes.

Chris can be contacted through the club, or directly at 5, Kilncroft, Runcorn, or on 01928 716361.

Runcorn went 1-0 down after quarter of an hour. Chris lightfoot scored an own goal 15 minutes later, but made amends five minutes from time by scoring in the Blyth goal from a header. Blyth scored their third just two minutes from time, leaving the final score at 3-1.

Match Report

A Kevin Leadbetter goal after three minutes put Runcorn ahead. In a display that showed great improvement over recent matches, Runcorn applied consistent pressure. Matty McNeil scored the next by beating the keeper and placing a very tight shot nicely, and the third was scored by Wes Kinney from the edge of the Bay penalty area capitalising on a mis-kick from their 'keeper. Tony Macmillan ensured that the score was 3-0 going into half time by saving the pentaly awarded for Ian Baines' tackle in the area.

In the second half, things were slightly different. Colwyn scored a penalty, and this seemed to lift them. Despite going down to 10 men early in the second half, they were much stronger opposition.

The score remained at 3-1, a satisfactory result for Runcorn. Unfortunately, the event was marred by a couple of incidents involving the crowd. Matty McNeil felt it necessary to join some fans in the stand to put them straight after they shouted racial abuse, but unlike the second incident, at the end of the game where a Bay player entered the stand to confront some Runcorn fans, Matty's challenge was purely verbal.

Match Report