Everton await after comfortable derby win
Scott Bakkor, Naim Arsan, James Steele and Lewis Doyle rejoice with fans after Naim's penalty had put Linnets two up. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley.
Runcorn Linnets 3 Runcorn Town 1
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets reached the Liverpool Senior Cup final for a second time by comfortably defeating their neighbours in the much-anticipated Runcorn derby.
Two goals in five minutes leading up to the hour mark put the tie beyond the reach of the newly-crowned North West Counties League Division One South champions.
Town had shocked Marine of National League North and Linnets' Northern Premier League West rivals Vauxhall Motors in the last two rounds.
Already in two cup finals, including the Cheshire Senior Cup of which Linnets are current holders, they had hopes of a third.
However, the hosts were too quick and strong and it was mostly one-sided until late on when the Weston Point visitors found consolation.
The men from Murdishaw were ahead in the eighth minute, two players combining on their return to the side.
James Steele rose at far post to head in Dec McLoughlin's cross from the right.
It was the only goal of the first half but with greater care in the final third, Linnets would have had more.
They were forcing Town's defence into mistakes only to lose possession themselves.
However, Harry McGee saw a shot, which looked to be heading wide, turned on to the crossbar after being inadvertently redirected by a defender.
McGee also forced a fine save from Will Ebbrell with a 30-yard free-kick, which was likewise deflected.
The away side were seemingly content to let Linnets have the ball and while Town's Connor Spiers ran hard in attack, they got little change from Brendan O'Brien and Harvey Washington at the heart of Linnets' defence.
James Steele's eighth-minute header gives Linnets the lead. Picture by Peter Gallagher Headley.
Town's only opportunity of the opening half came from a free-kick, which Jamie Apperley fired into the wall from almost on the 18-yard line.
Linnets doubled their lead in the 55th minute.
Scott Bakkor successfully gave chase to an O'Brien through ball before turning it into the path of McGee, who was promptly upended.
Naim Arsan sent Ebbrell the wrong way from the penalty and the game was soon up.
Full back Will Avon, with Steele breathing heavily down his neck, knocked the ball past his own 'keeper in trying to deal with a crossfield pass.
Substitutions seemed to affect Linnets' flow, although chances continued to be created.
But into the last 10 minutes, Town finally found joy when venturing forward with sloppiness not helping the home cause.
Matty Vickers and ex-Linnet Tom Ruffer were gifted chances, which were spurned.
On 85 minutes, however, Yusuf Mersin couldn't hold a shot by Ruffer and as the ball spun away from the 'keeper and towards goal, sub Vickers bundled it across the line from point-blank range.
Town had been given a guard of honour by Linnets before kick-off in recognition of their title win.
But the visitors' remarkable 25-game unbeaten run in all competitions - stretching back to November 22nd - is over.
Linnets, the competition's runners-up 2023, advance to the final to face holders Everton, whose Under 21s had edged out Warrington Rylands of the NPL Premier Division 3-2 in the first semi-final on Monday.
Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson, Naim Arsan, Brendan O'Brien, Harvey Washington Markell Foulds, 67 mins), Jacques Welsh, Dec McLoughlin, Lewis Doyle (Elliot Rokka, 75 mins), Scott Bakkor (Lewis Crane, 75 mins), Harry McGee (Isaac Graham, 65 mins), James Steele. Subs (not used): Matty Rain.
Attendance: 863.
Naim Arsan converts from the spot. Picture by Ben Jackson.