Match report: Runcorn Linnets 5 Squires Gate 0

Both sides had chances in the tense early stages as Gate’s Gary Pett volleyed over after just two minutes, then a first-time shot by Linnets’ Paul Shanley was smothered by keeper Ben Fletcher. Fletcher had to be alert again on 12 minutes to deny Freddie Potter one on one, saving with his feet. But the Gate keeper was beaten a moment later, when defender Matthew Atherton met a corner with a glancing header.Fletcher made another one on one save, this time denying Kristian Holt, but was beaten again on 35 minutes, when Alex Colquhoun’s clearance rebounded off a team-mate for Potter to score. Two down at half-time, Gate went close at the start of the second half , when Scott Harries flicked the ball into the path of Dean Ing, whose volley was saved. But it was 3-1 on 61 minutes, Potter finishing a sharp counter-attack by heading his second. The fourth arrived on 83 minutes, when Joey Mullen’s clearance fell straight to substitute Antony Hickey, who curled his shot past Fletcher. Fellow subs Chris Lawton tapped in at the back post to complete the scoring with the last kick of the game.Gate remain 10th in the premier division and complete their season with two home games in three days, starting against 1874 Northwich on Saturday. Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Colquhoun, Bamba, Salthouse, Riley, Ing, Rothwell, Moxon, Harries, Pett. Subs: Charnley, Clarkson, Mullen.