By Liam Price, by Jonathan White
The Dabbers are at home for the first time since New Year’s Day, and it’s a big one as we face Runcorn Linnets in the Cheshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final.
Corn on the Cup
With the usual caveats about rotation for this competition, this remains a tough challenge for the Dabbers as Runcorn Linnets are the holders of the Cheshire Senior Cup, having beaten Stalybridge 3-0 in last season’s final.
This time around, after getting a bye in the first round they beat Winsford United 3-2 away in November to set up this tie. The Dabbers have beaten Cammell Laird 4-0 and Northwich Victoria 1-0 in the Cheshire Cup so far.
The big change for Runcorn has been in the dugout, as only a day after Jon Moran left the Dabbers, Brad Cooke left Runcorn. He’s been replaced by Michael Ellison, who oversaw Widnes’ NPL West title last season before their demise.
He’s won both his games as manager so far, and they’ve both been away from home, with a 3-1 win away at Vauxhall and a 2-1 win at Chasetown on Saturday that featured a stoppage time winner.
That has left them in 4th in the table and 7 points off the top. They have played 3 fewer games at home than they have away so will look to use the APEC Taxis Stadium to try and get as close to Lower Breck and others as possible.
Last Time We Met
It was only in November where Linnets won 2-0 at the Swansway after goals from Declan McLoughlin and Scott Bakkor. But as mentioned, both managers are different now only 2 months later. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Bakkor scored at the weekend for Runcorn and is always a threat.
It’s 2 of Ellison’s old colleagues from Widnes who have also been among the goals as James Steele and Sean Miller have both found the net in his frist 2 games as boss.
But in the Cheshire Cup, it’s often less heralded names who end up grabbing the headlines.
Match Information
Tickets are reduced for this game at just £9 for adults. They are available online HERE or on the gate with cash or card.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead.
Please be careful with parking and avoid parking on the road that leads into the housing estate next to the stadium as it causes bad traffic issues.