By Liam Price
The schedule does not let up for the Dabbers as they get ready to face another play-off chasing side in Runcorn Linnets at the Swansway on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off).
Blinded by the Linnets
Runcorn are having a fine season in league and cup. They got all the way to the Fourth Round Qualifying of the FA Cup for the first time ever, only losing to National League North Buxton late on in front of a crowd of 1,600 at home. That has left them with a long catch up schedule, including this game, but it is undoubtedly a price worth paying for the excitement of a cup run and the subsequent boost to the bank balance that can be transformational at this level.
How many times do we see league form suffer when teams go on a cup run; that simply hasn’t happened to Runcorn. With the asterisk of having played fewer games than anyone else, no one has conceded fewer than their 14 goals in 14 games and no one lost fewer than their 2 games. Crucially, the bulk of their games in hand are at home, where their form has been superb with 4 wins and a draw from 6 games. Win a couple of those and they are right in the play-off picture.
They are unbeaten in their last 6 games, which have seen wins over Sporting Khalsa, Avro, Darlaston and Wythenshawe Town. Another possible factor in this game is that they won’t have played in 10 days by the time of the match, in which time the Dabbers have played twice.
Last Time We Met
At the Swansway in February, Kofi Moore gave the Dabbers an early lead before a Ryan Brooke backheel meant the spoils were shared with a 1-1 draw. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Brooke is still at Linnets and has a couple of league goals to his name this season. But Scott Bakkor is their top league scorer at the moment.
Former Dabbers goalkeeper Greg Hall will be between the sticks on Tuesday. And there are other familiar Runcorn names still in their number like Naim Arsan and Eden Gumbs that make up a strong squad.
Match Information
Tickets are available online HERE or on the gate.
There will be some live music in the Green Rock Group Fan Zone before the game so come on down early to see that! (Gates open at 6.15pm)
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.