Runcorn Town remain unbeaten in the North West Counties League First Division South since August thanks to a 3-2 win against Allscott Heath at the Viridor Community Stadium.
The winning goal came from a succession of corners that the visitors couldn’t deal with, as Runcorn defender Charlie Harland’s scored the decisive goal with a powerful header.
The second-half saw three yellow cards as the first-half clashes boiled over. Runcorn’s Liam Kennington and Jorge Dwyer were joined by Allscott’s Jacob Welch in the referee’s notebook.
It took a quarter of an hour for the scoring to start. A Town corner from the right side eventually found Matthew Vickers in the six-yard box to put it past Jack Perry.
But it didn’t take long for the opposition to pull level. After a dangerous back pass to goalkeeper Billy Davies, he took out Ryan Knott in in the box. Armando Wood converted from penalty spot, sending the Chester loanee the opposite way.
Things went from bad to worse for the league leaders as Kian Newnes’ curled effort from outside the box put the visitors ahead just after the half hour mark.
Runcorn’s equaliser came on the stroke of half time, despite only having 10 men on the field. After suffering an elbow to the head, Vickers was sidelined whilst receiving treatment.
A long ball found Thomas Ruffer who controlled it well and set up Jamie Apperley, who similar to Newnes’s effort, curled the ball into the corner to level matters at half time.
Town maintained their control after the break, limiting their guests to any real second half chances. The hosts came close to scoring directly from a corner just before the winner, as Kennington’s delivery struck the post.
Runcorn have now won nine and drawn three since their last league loss at the hands of Sandbach United over three months ago, moving six points clear of second placed Eccleshall.
They now look forward to an away trip to the Brinsford Stadium against 16th placed Wolverhampton Casuals on Saturday, the team they beat 4-0 in the home fixture a few weeks ago, as they hope to further their unbeaten streak.
