Goal crazy as Bears put six past Runcorn

CONGLETON TOWN roared into the play offs of the Norther Premier League West Division for the first time by demolishing RUNCORN LINNÉTS 6-0 at the Cleric Stadium largely thanks to a Max McCarthy hat trick.

- Phil Sherwin

The Bears opened the floodgates in the 4th minute when a ball into the box was headed down by Ethan Hartshorn for McCarthy, right, to slot home. McCarthy was giving Runcorn problems all afternoon and three minutes before the interval he was hacked down by Harvey Washington, which resulted in the Runcorn defender receiving his second yellow card and thus being sent off. McCarthy then sent a header just wide.

On the stroke of half time the home side delighted the large crowd by doubling their advantage. Matt Gillam played a lovely through ball for Ethan Hartshorn to steer into the net for his 11th goal of the season. Two minutes into the second half it was 3-0 as Gillam played another good through ball, this time for McCarthy to fire it past the overworked Bayleigh Passant. Just after the hour mark Congleton were awarded a penalty when Jay Lee handled the ball on the line to reduce the visitors to nine men. McCarthy duly scored the spot kick to complete his hat trick and take his total for the season to 20.

The nine men were shown no mercy and a fifth goal was added in the 69th minute when a corner led to Shaun Brisley tapping home. Dave Parton pulled off a good save to make sure of a clean sheet before Pete Williams slotted home the sixth goal three minutes from time to clinch Congleton's biggest win of the season.

■NEWCASTLE TOWN clinched safety from relegation with a tense 1-0 home win over ATHERTON COLLIERIES.

Atherton had the first big chance in the 18th minute when Joe Slinn did well to save a shot from Joe Piggott. Castle came into the game and took the lead a minute before the break. Ollie Ritchie hurled over a long throw and Tommy Van der Laan knocked it down for Tim Grice to power a shot past Sol Honor for his 13th goal of the season. Grice almost scored again in the 53rd minute but Honor saved his low shot. The Newcastle defence held firm and Grice lobbed an effort just wide as they sought a killer second goal.