By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
Away trips in the NPL West don’t come much tougher than a trip to Runcorn Linnets, which is what is in store for the Dabbers on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Run Linnets, Run!
Before our Cheshire Cup meeting with Linnets a week and a half ago, we wrote:
‘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.’
Since then, they have played 2 home games against significant opposition. First, they drew 2-2 with Avro, going 1-0 up but then having to equalise again after falling behind.
Then on Tuesday night, they took on league leaders Lower Breck, also at home, beating them 4-2 from 2-1 down to send a shockwave through the NPL West. The previously infallible Breck had now lost 2 on the bounce and Runcorn with that win suddenly look the most likely to challenge them.
Now in 2nd and 3 points from first, they could go top on Saturday if they beat the Dabbers and Lower Breck lose to Darlaston. Project Widnes 2.0, with their title-winning manager Michael Ellison and several members of that squad, is well and truly on the cards.
Last Time We Met
Fresh in the memory, Callum Saunders and Alex Panter’s goals saw the Dabbers through to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup. Notable in that game was Runcorn’s ability to make 9 changes to their team and still look strong, which is worth considering in the NPL West title race. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Harry McGee was a member of that Widnes side and was brought in at the start of January. He scored in both the Avro and Lower Breck games.
Add him to Steven Irwin, Sean Miller and James Steele and that’s 4 regular starters from last season’s champions.
They’ve also brought in Elliot Rokka who knows where the net is at this level. They’re going for this title and who can blame them with the position they’re now in.
Match Information
Tickets are £11 for adults, £8 for concessions and £2 for U18s, and you can get them online HERE or on the gate. There will be live music in the Runcorn clubhouse after the game.
From Crewe, it’s possible to get to the APEC Taxis Stadium in about an hour and a half via public transport. The trains to Runcorn are semi-regular then its a bus ride on the 79C or 82A. Otherwise it’s about 45 minutes in the car.