RUNCORN …………… 1 SOUTHPORT ………….. 0

(half time 0-0)

Having disposed of the supposedly smaller fry, whose classification has caused painful memories in past F.A. Challenge cup-ties, Runcorn on Monday, continued their ride on the crest of a wave of glory which began on Saturday at Haig Avenue (writes OBSERVER).

Whether that sudden rise to football fame continues on December 17 in round two at Hartlepool is a matter for conjecture. Yet, Runcornians who saw the defeat at Southport nine years ago, and the triumph-revenge for the Linnets on Monday, would contend, and rightly so, that the present Canal Street outfit is superior in many ways.

And yet, it wasn’t until just six minutes from the conclusion of ordinary time that BARRY WHITBREAD gained the decider for which he had been searching all night.

Earlier in the game Canal Street enders positively moaned when his shot after a clear break, was blocked by the advancing Tony Harrison.

The crowd it will be said, had been kept on tip-toes for most of the time in expectation of a score by either side, with the non-leaguers more likely to succeed.

Yes indeed, the 5,000 souls had been “fed” on exciting football which one tends to expect in any type of cup warfare.

POSSIBLE DRAW

Consultation to time-pieces before the Whitbread goal for the club of an F.A. replay suggested another stalemate.

If the clinching score came so late (not including the Dave Lyons equaliser of Saturday), those circumstances indicate that Manager Storton’s men possess stamina and grim determination which could also cause a shock on Saturday week.

Just at a time when a badly-timed pass or a wrong-footed play may have led to disaster (Southport players then realised that each one of them, and the ball for that matter, would suffer via visitors’ prospects), Tim Rutter’s well-directed tackle to Phil Wilson had Southport’s defence in a tizzy.

Harrison reacted with accurate positioning, notably when cross-field flights tried to deceive supporters as he galloped across the goal.

Then when the enthusiasm on and off the field had subsided, required cool heads to contain Southport’s all-out threats.

NO STOPPING THEM

Augmented police patrols and re-inforced number of stewards had no answer to the extra wave of spectators who had but one object — to bestow on the winners their own personal congratulations.

Now if only a third of Monday’s “gate” would take the trouble of supporting the Linnets every now and again, there could be repeats of Monday’s memorable scenes.

And yet if a sizzling shot by Tom Brookfield in the 27th minute had been an inch or two to the right, then a second replay might be a reality instead of a dream.

PLUCKY GARY

The ball cannoned off a post and even then the danger was cleared until further “pot shots” had been cleared.

Plucky Gary Jakeman, who stood in for Mal Rawlinson nursing a broken arm after Saturday’s Haig Avenue match, may have had little chance of stopping Brookfield’s super drive.

But Jakeman brought in at one-over-night’s notice, was not over-awed by the occasion. Once he ventured from his line to kick the ball away when danger threatened. He showed coolness in some desperate situations.

I have often advocated that ‘keepers should learn the art and usefulness of the drop kick, an old favourite of mine Hibbs, the Birmingham player, impressed me with the length of his clearances.

Jakeman used the method. He told me among the dressing room jubilations, that the kick with its long and low trajectory was to reach Whitbread and give him heading chances.

And writing on the subject of “heading,” both Rutter and Tony Murphy found themselves at a disadvantage in the first match because of the height of certain opponents.

BOOKINGS

This time they had the control of the situation in other phases of play. Murphy did get a booking from Referee Neil Midgley, as did Phil Ashworth and Steve Brookes of Southport.

Brookes certainly angered the Canal Street habitués when he pulled the yellow shirt of Dave Lyons when he was leaping through. The yellow card flashed in Brookes’ face was deserved.

While Whitbread’s name was on most lips the tantalising runs of Barry Howard who almost got a goal on the score-sheet said it all about why Runcorn dearly liked to have signed him last season, to share the thrills of the evening.

Alan King did make an error of judgement by calling off the game most carefully and precisely when Whitbread did what might be the limelight, but if anyone wishes to reflect on the game they would agree it was a team effort — and splendid one at that.

CONSOLATION

Sorry Southport followers who have not seen their team emerge from the first round since they accounted for Runcorn nine years ago, consoled themselves with the thought of what might have been over the Brookfield shot.

But what they had to concede during their ‘conversations’ was that George Jones, Geoff Gay and Ashworth offered tangible solace to the defensive battle so bravely fought.

Referee Neil Midgley kept his most considered decision in reserve for the penalty, deserves much higher recognition. Referee assessors please note.

VISIT TO CITY

For Saturday’s league game at the Giant Axe ground, Lancaster Manager Stan Storton may decide to bring in some new deputies.In any case, Gary Jakeman is more than likely to keep goal again as Mal Rawlinson may not be fit to return for several weeks.

It all depends on how the break is aligned on his heals.

After some good results at the start of the season Lancaster have fallen away and as a result they occupy a higher position than Runcorn.

RUNCORN 1 SOUTHPORT 0

The toast of Runcorn last night was 29-year-old Liverpool schoolteacher Barry Whitbread whose goal six minutes from the end of a hard-fought First Round FA Cup replay with Southport put the Northern Premier League side into the second round of the competition, and within replay distance of a home tie against Tranmere Rovers.

And victory was even sweeter for Runcorn as it gave them a revenge for a defeat at Haig Avenue in the second round nearly 10 years ago.

Whitbread’s goal came following a free kick by Tim Rutter which found Whitbread unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. He stooped to beat George Jones with an accurate header.

Although Southport immediately sent on substitute Chris Rimington in place of George Jones and threw everything into attack, Runcorn held firm to gain victory.

Before the interval, Southport were mainly in command and they went close to scoring in the 26th minute when winger Tony Brookfield let go a shot after Phil Ashworth had headed on a Hugh Fisher free kick. But the ball rebounded off an upright and Southport must then have realised that it wasn’t to be their night.

After the interval with Barry Howard causing problems on both flanks, Runcorn did enough to make goalkeeper Tony Harrison and his defence work hard. But while Phil Wilson and Molyneux stuck to their task, it was Whitbread, the man with an eye for the vital breakthrough.

For most of the time it was a hard slog with some fierce tackling from both sides. Ashworth and Runcorn defender Tony Murphy were both booked after a midfield flare-up and Southport defender Steve Brooks also had his name taken for pulling Dave Lyon back by his shirt after the Runcorn player had beaten him.

Despite the prompting of player-manager Hugh Fisher, Southport lacked the striking power upfront to cause many problems for a Runcorn defence which gave excellent cover to goalkeeper Gary Jake-man, who stepped into the side as a replacement for first choice Rawlinson after an arm injury sustained in Saturday’s game turned out to be a fracture after X-rays in hospital yesterday.

It was scant consolation for the Haig Avenue side that they put up a courageous fighting display.

But the fact remains that they have not won in the FA Cup since 1967–68 and their victims on that occasion in the second round were Runcorn.

The attendance for the replay estimated over 5,000, is believed to be the biggest in the history of football at Canal Street.