Runcorn started the better of the two sides with Cairns proving to be a real handful up top as he pulled his shot wide from the edge of the area, 10 minutes into the game.

REMYCA responded 10 minutes later with a great pass into the channel by Harry Nevitt which found Charles Ball who spun his man to get in behind.

The striker crossed the ball low and hard to the back post but Runcorn defender Owen Dursley was on hand to nick the ball away from the onrushing James Hammill.

Three minutes later and it was Runcorn who opened the scoring. A poor back pass from REMY saw keeper O’Loughlin struggle to control the ball which fell into the path of Cairns who tapped home into an empty net.

REMYCA responded well just before the half hour mark, James Hammill produced a wonderful run which led to the ball being given to Charles Ball – with the resulting shot deflecting into the arms of Runcorn keeper Adam Reid.

Derek Goulding’s side continued to push for the equaliser with James Murphy curling a left-footed shot just wide of the far post.

10 minutes before the end of the half and O’Loughlin was called upon to keep REMYCA in the game.

Diving to his left, O’Loughlin was able to stretch his right arm out to deny the header from Cairns.

Piling on the pressure

Two minutes later and REMYCA cracked the bar through James Hammill. After some good work by Ball and Monaghan in the area, the ball fell to Hammill at the far post but his side-footed shot struck the post.

A great spell for REMYCA saw another fantastic opportunity – this time for Monaghan.

Monaghan stole the ball off the Runcorn backline and had a shot one-on-one with Reid in goal but his shot was somehow tipped wide of the far-left post.

Second half

The second half saw REMYCA start poorly as they searched for the equaliser. O’Loughlin had to make another superb save as his good form continued in the second half.

Captain Marcus James had his powerful header clawed away from the top corner with the rebound from Cairns cracking the bar as REMYCA held on.

Two minutes later and Runcorn hit the woodwork once again. A corner from the left saw the ball fall to substitute Dale Jennings and he saw his strike cannon off the bar.

O’Loughlin worked wonders again with 13 minutes to go. A counter attack by Runcorn saw strike partners, Cox and Cairns, exchange passes across the box but O’Loughlin was equal to Cairns’ goal-bound effort.

REMYCA’s best chance of the half came with six minutes to go. James Murphy was slid through on goal by substitute Anthony Cato but his left-footed effort was well saved by Reid.

Runcorn managed to see out the game late on and secured their first win of the season – inflicting REMYCA’s second defeat.

Derek Goulding’s side now turn to FA Cup action with a trip to Prestwich Heys on Saturday in the Extra Preliminary round.

Lineup:
O’Loughlin, Ako (Connor 90’), King, Harper, Nevitt, Clements, Toner, Monaghan (Cato 72’), Murphy, Hammill (Owens 68’), Ball.