1874 Northwich 3-0 Runcorn Town

1874 Northwich ended their league campaign with a victory that bode farewell to St Luke’s Barton Stadium, their home in Winsford since becoming established in 2013.

All three goals from man-of-the-match Aaron Smith (47), Kyle Phipps (79) and Matt Woolley (89) came in the second half on a day when heavy rain and gusting wind made playing controlled football difficult, but both sides did their best to entertain.

1874, whose home games will be staged at Barnton next season, dominated the game with Smith prominent from the start.

His strong run led to Jake Parker shooting narrowly wide, then an interception led to Callum Gardner's first-time effort going off target before forcing a one-handed save by keeper Adam Reid from long range.

Further chances came and went, the best of them falling to Callum Gardner, unmarked at the far post, who lifted the ball over the bar from close.

On the stroke of half time Runcorn’s Francois Antonie fired wide, as had Shaun Weaver early on.

1874 took the lead when Smith met a Gardner free kick to volley past a helpless Reid from six yards.

Antonie fired a shot across the face of 1874’s goal, Sam Hare smashed an effort over the Runcorn bar as did Smith from a free kick before 1874 doubled their lead.

Phipps rounded the Runcorn defence, cut inside and from a tight angle drilled the ball between Reid and his near post to open his account for the club.

Woolley completed the scoring from a free kick played in low by Gardner.

As the game entered stoppage time 1874 goalkeeper Tony Aghayere pulled off a top-class flying one handed save to palm away a long range Weaver shot.

1874: Aghayere (GK), Connor, Russell, Lever, Johnston, Ormrod (M Woolley 66), Hind, Smith, McGowan (Phipps 69), Parker (Hare 60), Gardner. Subs not used: L Jackson, Koral.

Attendance: 159

Reporting by Garry Clarke