Hopes of Survival

Alsager Town kept alive their slim survival hopes in the North West Counties League’s Premier Division with a deserved victory at Runcorn Town on Saturday afternoon. With little to choose between the sides at times, the game was decided by a solitary strike from debutant Matthew Clarke, who struck in the 70th minute to smash the ball past Runcorn Town keeper Daniel Lever, after latching onto a cross from the right.
The hosts, who started the day in 8th place have been on a poor recent run and the Bullets win was sweet revenge, Runcorn having defeated the Bullets by the same score-line in the corresponding fixture back in September. It was also Alsager’s first clean sheet on their travels this season.
The Bullets made several changes to the team that had to settle for a point after surrendering a three goal lead to Squires Gate in the week, with two new signings making their debuts. Experienced and much travelled goalkeeper Matthew Conkie, who left 1874 Northwich several weeks ago replaced young Matthew Johnson, whilst winger, Matthew Clarke, signed from Northwich Victoria took his place on the wing. Youngster, Joseph Minton made only his second start of the season at right back, whilst the colossus Niko Kolodzyk returned to the midfield.
The Bullets made a tidy start, although Runcorn were first to show, with Conkie making good saves to deny Samuel Houghton and Daley Woods in the opening twenty minutes. Michael Lennon responded for the visitors, and his low cross into the six yard box only just evaded Leigh Skellern at the far post, whilst a Tom Brown effort was deflected over the bar. Clarke then fired over the bar for the Bullets, but at the other end, Conkie twice denied Daley Woods as the half drew to a close.
Early Runcorn efforts came to nothing after the break and gradually the Bullets, who began to pose the greater attacking threat, looked the likelier to break the deadlock. A Lennon corner from the right in the 57th minute was met by the head of Kyle Stubbs at the near post, but Lever made a magnificent save to deny him and the ball was cleared. Moments later, striker Dan Brown found himself in space after latching onto a ball over the top but fired over, then a scramble inside the home six yard box saw the ball deflected onto the post, with Kolodzyk’s header from the resultant corner being cleared off the line. Houghton quickly countered for Runcorn and fired wide under challenge from Minton. Conkie comfortably held an effort from Christopher Dykes and with it looking increasingly likely that one goal would settle it, Clarke duly obliged.
With the home side running out of ideas the Bullets were relatively untroubled in the closing stages and claimed a valuable three points.
Although Alsager still remain at the foot of the table, with 20 points from 30 games, they have closed the gap on AFC Blackpool and Silsden, who do still have games in hand, however, they are now just 7 points adrift of the safety margin.

Forthcoming fixtures:
Saturday 19th March v Silsden (A). Kick-off 3.00pm.
Tuesday 22nd March v Colne (A). Kick-off 8.00pm.

Alsager Town: Conkie, Minton, Stubbs, R. Smith, Clarkson, Kolodzyk, Clarke, T. Brown, D. Brown (Crofts), Lennon, Skellern (C.M. Smith). Subs (not used) Machin.

Attendance: 69
Ian Woodward.

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