Marc Nash made four changes from last Saturday’s win against Grantham Town handing a start to young custodian Callum Elliott.
It was the visitor’s who started the brighter, having more possession of the ball and conjuring up the first real opportunity of the game firing over from outside of the area.
Anth Myers played a long ball over the top that caused issues amongst Linnets’ defense forcing them to ship the ball out for a corner.
At the other end, a lack of communication forced a corner for the visitor’s.
Shields then broke through the Linnets’ defensive line with Connor Oliver playing through Regan Paterson only to be denied by the offside flag.
David Robinson then found himself through on goal only to be curtailed by a handball resulting in a yellow card issued to Heathcote for the Linnets’.
Connor Oliver whipped in the resulting freekick which was comfortably dealt with by Taberner between the sticks of the Linnets’ goal.
Regan Paterson was played through on goal only to be deterred by the out-rushing Tarberner.
Tom Bexton at the other end was on hand to curtail a Linnets’ counter attack
Shields frew more into the game as half progressed and were able to find spade and make up ground down the right-hand side.
At the other end, Runcorn countered and fired an effort wide of the target.
Callum Elliot was called into action comfortably dealing with a Runcorn effort on goal.
Connor Oliver blocked on the line to deny the visitor’s the lead on the half hour mark.
The Linnets’ had the chance to take the lead through a freekick which was narrowly guided wide of the goal.
GOAL 37’ Lewis Doyle, 0-1
Doyle skipped past three Robins’ players before curling an effort past the stricken Elliot to give the Linnets the lead just half-time was upon us.
Shields almost hit back immediately, good link-up play between Forster and Paterson, allowed Forster to fizz in a cross which was punched clear by Taberner.
Elliot denied the visitor’s from doubling the advantage on the stroke of half time, saving down low, before combining with Tom Bexton to keep out the visitor’s moments later.
Half time was upon us with the Linnets one up, who appeared to be sharper in all areas of the pitch and the more threatening when through on goal.
The second half started and Shields came flying out of the blocks, looking for a response a way back into the game.
Myers picked out Turner, who beat his man and was brought down around 25 yards out, the resulting free-kick by Oliver clipped the wall and went out for a corner to the Robins’.
GOAL 55’ Jamie Rainford, 0-2
The Robins’ inability to clear their lines and the ball bouncing around the six yard box and off the goal frame, landed to Rainford who fired home to double the visitor’s advantage.
Shields once again found space down the right flank with a cross only able to pick out Taberner.
Sam Heathcote dragged an effort wide for the visitors in their search for a third and to end the contest.
Shields broke and were able to cross into the danger area of the Linnets penalty area only for no Shields player to be in close proximity,
A late challenge on Cunningham making his 100th appearance caused a ruckus on halfway, resulting in two Runcorn players finding their names in the referee’s book.
Marc Nash decided with twenty minutes to go it was time for a double change with Brad Hird and Dan Wilson replacing Dan Turner and Regan Paterson respectively.
Shields continued to apply pressure and force a way back into the contest.
The Robins’ won a freekick down the right flank, whipped in by Oliver only to evade all Shields players in the penalty area.
A few moments later, JJ Chrisp was replaced by Liam Doyle,
Oliver picked out Wilson with a ball over the top, when he flicked onto Hird only for the ball to bounce too far beyond him.
Shields again capitalized on the space found down the right and crossed in, unfortunately the ball would not land for a Shields player.
GOAL 87’ Brad Hird, 1-2
Route one football at its finest, Elliott short goal kick to Bexton, who fed the ball the Oliver on the edge of the Robins own ‘D’, who then played a sublime 70 yard pass, playing in Hird over the top of the LInnets backline, who lobbed the out-rushing Taberner, making it three in three for Hird and giving the faithful Robins hope.
Shields frantically looking for an equalizer with one eye on a Linnets counter made for exciting times for the final few minutes of the game as the match officials indicated 4 minutes additional time.
Connor Oliver whipped in a low freekick across the 6 yard box, which went agonizingly wide of the post.
At the other end, Callum Elliott was on hand to keep the Linnets out for a third with a fine save down low to his right.
Moments later David Robinson supplied defensive support with a flying block from 12 yards out to extinguish a Linnets counter.
The referee brought an end to the proceedings and with it the end to Robin’s run in this season’s FA Trophy run.
The Pub & Kitchen MOM award was awarded to Dan Turner for a hardworking display upfront.
Marc Nash and the lads change their attentions back to league action next Saturday 1st October as we welcome Brighouse Town to the Daren Persson Stadium.
