Goals from Kevin Towey, Rob Whyte and Paul Prescott condemned AFC Liverpool to their third consecutive defeat.

On a cold day, both sides started the match slowly and twenty seven minutes were played before there was an effort on goal. Unfortunately for the Reds, it was Towey giving the home side the lead as Sean Pearson’s cross found the Linnets striker unmarked eight yards out and he fired into the corner beyond the reach of Joshua Molloy.

The Linnets striker was denied a second goal as Molloy palmed away his effort following a mazy run that eluded several challenges before the Reds created some chances of their own with half time fast approaching. Shaun Harris ambitiously attempted to find the far corner before Steven Jones drilled low into the near post forcing Martin Pearson into action for the first time in the match. It was the Runcorn keeper who kept his side’s lead going into the break as, with a fingertip save, he turned over Muktar Mahama’s spectacular overhead kick.

Mahama should have levelled the scores two minutes into the second half. However, meeting an inswinging Jones free kick six yards out and completely unmarked, he fluffed his header and the ball sailed over the bar. Unfazed, the Reds continued to press for the equaliser but lacked a spark of creativity to unlock the Runcorn back four. Pressure may have rewarded their endeavour but as with too many occasions this season, the Reds let their opponents off the hook. Molloy needlessly came to claim a cross but only clattered into Darren Torpey, presenting Whyte with the chance to slot the ball into an unguarded net.

The result was sealed on seventy seven minutes when a ball down the right channel found Prescott and the substitute, spotting Molloy off his line, neatly lobbed the AFC Liverpool keeper.

To their credit AFC Liverpool never gave up and were further unrewarded when Pearson firstly denied Steve Corris and then Joe Bennett before Jones’ follow up was headed off the line by Chris Lawton.

Runcorn Linnets 3-0 AFC Liverpool
Towey 27′, Whyte 64′, Prescott 77′

Attendance: 382

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams.