Only three fixtures went ahead in #MatchweekThree due to the wet weather in the North. Similar to last week, long downpours and water logged pitches meant we couldn’t get a full quota of games played.
Only one game went ahead in the JOMA Division, which saw Mossley take on Radcliffe. Radcliffe ran out eventual 8-2 winners in this goal fest of a game, with Rhys Moseley scoring four in the first half for The Boro and earnt himself a spot on the #TeamOfTheWeek. The win for Radcliffe sees them pick up their first points of the season.
In the Sports Traider Division just two fixtures were played on Wednesday. The Halton Derby between Runcorn and Widnes did not disappoint, with Widnes Making it three wins out of three and going top of the table after a 5-2 victory against Runcorn Linnets. Belper Town get their first win of the season after beating Radcliffe, which moves them up to 5th in the table.
Similar to last week, with only three games going ahead in #MatchweekThree, picking #TeamOfTheWeek was a tough task but with 18 goals across the three games, there was clearly no shortage of talent on show. Congratulations to all the students nominated by their coaches who made it into #TeamOfTheWeek and special mention to Oliver Bucale of Radcliffe who has been named ‘Player of the Week’ for his performances in #MatchweekThree.
Another shorter version of the NPLFA highlights show this week due to only three games going ahead. Watch all of the action from #MatchweekThree below, including an absolute screamer from our ‘Player of the Week’, Oliver Bucale.
The #MatchweekThree edition of game review of the week comes from The Halton Derby that saw Runcorn take on Widnes.
WIDNES COME FROM TWO GOALS DOWN TO BEAT RUNCORN AND GO TOP OF THE TABLE
An another rain effected week of fixtures, Runcorn Linnets hosted Widnes in this #MatchweekThree Sports Traider clash.
The match started with a very high tempo, with both teams moving the ball well and keeping things tight early on.
The first chance of the game fell to Runcorn striker Ross Avies. A lovely slipped ball down the left channel from Joe McGowan found Avies in full stride. He used his pace well and got away from one Widnes defender and had a chance to get a shot off but it was deflected behind for a corner.
5 minutes later Avies was played in again, this time by Jamie Hooper. His perfectly weighted left footed pass cut the Widnes defence open and found Avies. On this occasion he was too quick for the Widnes defence and managed to poke his shot on the run past the Widnes keeper. Runcorn Linnets 1-0 Widnes
Avies was involved in the next attacking move for Runcorn and the home side found themselves 2-0 up after just over half an hour played. Some sharp footwork from Avies on the left hand side of the box allowed him to skip past two Widnes defenders and clipped the ball towards goal. Aiden Brown brought the ball under control and blasted a low driving shot into the back of the net. Runcorn Linnets 2-0 Widnes.
Widnes got back into the game just before half-time thanks to a tap in from Matt Burke. Runcorn didn’t deal with a corner whipped in from the right hand side and the ball fell to Connor Hughes. He smashed the ball back across goal and Matt Burke was there to tap it in, via the crossbar. Runcorn Linnets 2-1 Widnes
Half-time: Runcorn Linnets 2-1 Widnes
Widnes had a chance to equalise right at the start of the second half. A long ball all the way from the Widnes box was allowed to bounce, causing trouble for the Runcorn centre back pairing. Connor Hughes put Runcorn under pressure and Liam Blackburn, the Runcorn goalkeeper had to come flying out of his box to deal with the attack.
Widnes were level on 55 minutes thanks to a brilliant long-range strike from Josh Marshall. Connor Hughes dropped a bit deeper to receive the ball from his midfield and teed off Josh Marshall. He carried the ball for 5-yards and with no defenders coming out to pressure him, he let off a shot from 25-yards out that bounced infront of the keeper and nestled in to the bottom left corner. Runcorn Linnets 2-2 Widnes
The visitors had come out firing in the second half and were gifted an opportunity to take the lead on 70 minutes after they were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the Runcorn box. Amir Hajri stepped up to take it and made no mistake, slotting home his 5th goal of the season. Runcorn Linnets 2-3 Widnes
Josh Marshall gave Widnes some breathing room just two minutes later. Another long ball down the left channel wasn’t dealt with by the Runcorn defence and second half substitute, Harvey Wood made the home team pay. He outpaced one defender and got to the by-line before poking the ball home from a tight angle. Runcorn Linnets 2-4 Widnes
In the 89th minutes Jack Morton sealed the win for Widnes. A perfectly weighted chipped through ball from Mathew Jefferson found Morton on the run. He was too quick for the Runcorn defence and shot across the keeper, finding the bottom right hand corner. Runcorn Linnets 2-5 Widnes.
This win for Widnes means they have taken nine points out of a possible nine in their opening three fixtures and go top of the Sports Traider Division.
Full time: Runcorn Linnets 2-5 Widnes