Flying full-back Joe chips in with two against Darlaston
Joe Ferguson strikes the first of his brace to put Runcorn 2-0 up in the first half. Picture by NEIL THORNTON
Runcorn Linnets 4 Darlaston Town 1
Report by Dave Bettley
Runcorn backed up their midweek victory at second-from-top Avro by defeating next-to-bottom Darlaston, their first-time visitors from the West Midlands.
As victories go, this was very comfortable and it would have been even more convincing had Linnets taken full advantage of their chances.
Joe Ferguson showed the way, two goals trebling the marauding right's Runcorn tally - although his only previous effort was Goal of the Season in 2024-25.
Linnets were in front from the fourth minute and a three-goal lead at half-time meant the game was effectively over as a contest.
Runcorn players were queueing up to score in Saturday's game. Picture by BEN JACKSON.
They will wonder how they didn't score at least as many again in the second half.
Lewis Doyle (twice) and Arsan were unable to deliver when clean through.
It was the away side that struck first after the restart, on 68 minutes. But within a minute, Ferguson burst through to restore the three-goal cushion.
There had been four changes to the Runcorn starting line-up and two of the recalled players combined to put them ahead.
Lewis Crane checks that he is onside after finding the net in the fourth minute. Picture by NEIL THORNTON.
A peach of a pass by left back Matty Rain through Darlaston's defence picked out Lewis Crane to convert on the stretch for his sixth senior strike of the campaign.
Moving the ball with alacrity, and firmly controlling possession and territory, Runcorn's procession towards the away side's goal could have been even more spectacular had they been more consistent with their finishing.
Wingers Oskar Rosenblatt and Naim Arsan, the two other players restored to the XI, joined industrious central midfielders Doyle and Eden Gumbs in taking the game to the Citizens.
Linnets were attacking from all directions but their wastefulness coupled with saves by Stan Amos from Rosenblatt and Arsan kept the scoreline respectable.
No. 10 Eden Gumbs is congratulated by Markell Foulds after scoring. Picture by Neil Thornton.
However, 'keeper Amos allowed a shot by Gumbs from the edge of the box to escape his clutches for the home side's 42nd-minute third on the scorer's 100th start for his hometown club.
The hosts' second goal, nine minutes earlier, had come from a Doyle through ball, the only question being who would score it.
Another view of Runcorn's second goal as Joe Ferguson, flanked by Lewis Crane, steers the ball home. Picture by PETER GALLAGHER-HEADLEY.
Crane and Ferguson advanced almost side by side but defender Ferguson got there first to guide the ball in.
Joe takes the adulation of the crowd, including injured team-mate Sean Miller, third from right. Picture by PETER GALLAGHER-HEADLEY.
Runcorn had established 2-0 interval leads in the two previous games yet emerged with four points when it really ought to have been six.
With an extra goal to their credit at the halfway stage, complacency was the biggest danger this time.
We didn't get any of that in a hardworking display.
But when Jake Collins pulled a goal back in the 68th minute, the 3-1 scoreline made a mockery of Runcorn's domination.
The 25-yard effort, was driven in hard and low off the left post.
But if Darlaston thought they were back in contention, it wasn't for long.
Man-of-the-match Ferguson scythed through the visiting defence at speed to lash a shot into the left corner of goal to restore some perspective.
A word before kick off from centre back Harvey Washington for our Linnets Juniors mascots. Picture by PETER GALLAGHER-HEADLEY.
Runcorn thought they had netted a fifth in stoppage time. It would not have flattered them but Marcus Cusani had handled in the act of scoring. His wait for a Runcorn goal goes on.
There was much to admire in this Linnets performance.
A big plus point was the return off the bench of stylish midfielder Dec McLoughlin after his foot injury.
Two wins and a draw in eight days have made a real difference to their league position, hoisting them from 16th to eighth in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.
Victories from all games in hand over the teams above them would propel Runcorn into second place with at least a play-off berth a realistic aim in the next few weeks.
Lewis Doyle goes for goal in the second half but the opportunity was missed. Picture by BEN JACKSON.
But against more resilient opponents, they will need to be more clinical.
It shouldn't be long before top scorer Scott Bakkor is back in the mix to help with that.
Runcorn Linnets: Greg Hall, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Markell Foulds (Jacques Welsh, 70 mins) Adam Rooney (Peter Wylie, 80 mins), Harvey Washington, Oskar Rosenblatt, Lewis Doyle (Marcus Cusani, 80 mins), Lewis Crane (Ryan Brooke 70), Eden Gumbs (Dec McLoughlin, 61 mins), Naim Arsan.
Attendance: 539.
The sun sets over the media gantry on a convincing Runcorn victory at APEC Taxis Stadium. Picture by NEIL THORNTON.