Runcorn Linnets 3-2 Prescot Cables - Match Report

A double from James Hooper and a strike from Oladapo Olarewaju secured a spot in the 2nd Round of the Liverpool Senior Cup for Runcorn Linnets and a tie at away at City of Liverpool - following their win on penalties at Burscough - after defeating a spirited Prescot Cables 3-2 at the APEC Taxis Stadium.

The opening of the contest saw Runcorn Linnets have the lions share of possession and the first chance of the contest came at the expense of a Prescot mistake. Louis Shead could breathe a sigh of relief as his mistake almost proved dear to Runcorn’s cause. Sidi Sanogo Fofana pinched the pockets of the Cables man and pounced on the mistake, but his shot on goal could only warm the gloves of Harvey Passant. The Cables shot-stopper was warned once more, although a weak strike by Doyle forced Passant into a routine save.

Jack Goodwin was on hand to have Prescot’s first opportunity, and another move which was forced upon after pouncing on a mistake. The Cables man’s eventual effort took a deflection on its way behind for a corner.

Passant was tested again on goal, having to be aware as Zach Clarke bust a gut to race through one-on-one with the Cables ‘keeper, but the shot by Clarke was bread and butter for Passant.

The pressure payed off as Runcorn Linnets gained the upper-hand in the contest. Sidi Sanogo Fofana played a wonderful ball through to James Hooper, who was then in a foot race with James Hammill. The Runcorn man won the battle and he placed past a hapless Passant.

Prescot looked to instantly respond with John Murphy, and the Prescot attacker calved out the visitors best opportunity. The Cables frontman sent a low drive on target, which was expertly tipped round the post by Danny Taberner before Jack Goodwin curled a fierce effort heading for the corner however, it flashed just round the post.

HT: Runcorn Linnets 1-0 Prescot Cables

Prescot came flying out the blocks early doors and won a penalty after Ryan Brooke was penalised for a foul in the area on Kyle Sambor. James Foley stepped up and smashed past Taberner, putting Cables back on terms.

Cables were almost on target again as Murphy almost converted, sliding in to reach a ball across the face however, it just never fell cleanly for him.

The game lost its velocity for a few minuets, when Runcorn Linnets threatened Passant’s abode for the first time in the half. Ryan Brooke caught a dropping ball sweetly on the volley however, it flew high and over the bar. This was followed by a scramble in the area, when a few shots were thwarted and failed plenty of times to avert the danger until Passant came out to scoop it.

The game wended with plenty of drama and goals to conclude the Senior Cup tie.

The visitors was first up, as Prescot broke and Adam Hammill was instrumental in this move. The former Barnsley man and substitute reacted to a ball flicked across to him and his ball across the face came to Goodwin, who slotted home to put Cables into the lead.

Almost instantly, Oladapo Olarewaju brought the game level once more. The Linnets substitute pressed upon a lacklustre Cables backline, dispossessing them in a dangerous position before slotting past Passant to square proceedings. To round off the scoring in the dying embers, a smash and grab opportunity came along - and already Linnets goal scorer - James Hooper, tucked home beautifully to regain Linnets’ lead they held at half-time.

Olarewaju and Brooke had efforts to seal the tie which weren’t converted, as Runcorn rode out their victory to progress to the next round in their first ever Senior Cup tie.

FT: Runcorn Linnets 3-2 Prescot Cables