Bank Holiday away day to former home ground

Witton Albion v RUNCORN LINNETS

Pitching In Norhern Premier League West

Monday, August 25th, ko 3pm

at U-Lock it Stadium, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich CW9 6DA.

History trail

Traditional rivals of Runcorn AFC, Witton have played a significant role in the Linnets renaissance - as our landlords from the launch of our club in 2006 to 2010.

They were also our guests for a friendly to officially open Linnets Stadium ahead of the 2010-11 season.

We have renewed acquaintances as league rivals over the last three seasons but found our former home to be far from a happy hunting ground.

We have lost all three league meetings at Wincham Park, twice shipping four goals in defeat while in 2023-24 being beaten by the only goal.

We arrested that disappointing run last season as two goals from Adam Morgan and Adam Moseley (2) saw us win 3-0 at Witton in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

But both NPL affairs in 2024-25 went firmly in Witton's favour by 4-0 scorelines.

Recent visits (NPL West unless stated)

2022-23

Monday January 2nd 2023

WITTON ALBION 4

Joe Duckworth (8')

Elliot Rokka (23')

Joe Duckworth (50')

Connor Hughes (90')

RUNCORN LINNETS 2

Jamie Rainford (30' and 48')

Attendance: 819

2023-24

Monday, January 1st 2024

WITTON ALBION 1

Brandon Newell (51')

RUNCORN LINNETS 0

Attendance: 767

2024-25

Monday, August 26th 2024

WITTON ALBION 4

Elliot Rokka (4')

Joe Duckworth (55')

Joe Duckworth (69' pen)

Wealth Dasilva (83')

RUNCORN LINNETS 0

Attendance: 672

Tuesday, October 15th 2024

Cheshire Senior Cup (First Round)

WITTON ALBION 0

RUNCORN LINNETS 3

Adam Moseley (29')

Adam Moseley (32')

Adam Morgan (68')

Attendance: 347

The opposition

Witton Albion's squad has undergone a major summer overhaul. Only three starters and two subs from last season's final-game home defeat by Atherton Collieries lining up in this month's Emirates FA Cup tie opener against Cheadle Town.

New signings Tom Hoyle and Freddy Garbutt were on target in the comfortable 4-1 victory in the extra preliminary round.

Garbutt, 22, joined from North West Counties League club Pilkington FC, having scored 13 times in his 24 games (21 starts) last season.

He had netted 23 times for Pilks U23s in the 2023/24. He had previously played for Runcorn Linnets Under 21s (scoring six times in 10-0 win over 1874 Northwich), Barnton and Runcorn Town in 2022-23.

Tom originally joined Albion as a central defender in mid-October 2023, making 10 appearances in a three-month loan deal from Fleetwood Town.

He rejoined Witton after comnverting to a striker and scoring 23 goals in 52 appearanes (with 49 starts) for NWCL Premier Division Ramsbottom United with 23 goals in his 52 appearances (49 starts) knocking in a couple of hat-ticks.

Striker Joe Duckworth made a surprise return from Stalybridge Celtic

Goalkeeper Cameron Terry is also back at the club after being in the Development Squad in 2018.

The 24-year-old has since played for Clitheroe, Nantwich Town and Widnes.

Other arrivals include:

- Attacking left back Billy Jones, ex Fleetwood Town & King's Lynn Town.

- Midfielder Joe Edwards, who was at Atherton Collieries last season

- Jacob Hamman, another midfielder, after being released from Salford City.

- Young defender Tom Farrell from Christleton FC.

- Attacking left midfielder Aaron Fleming (Blackpool. AFC Fylde, Kendal Town, Ramsbottom United, City of Liverpool and Lancaster City)

- Aaron Bott, who was freed by Chester after serving Widnes in 2024-25.

Form guide

Runcorn have accrued seven points from the first three league matches and with two FA Cup victories, we are undefeated in five.

Witton bagged their first NPL West win of the campaign on Saturday, triumphing 3-0 at Stalybridge Celtic.

They had drawn their home opener against Chasetown 0-0 before losing at Lower Breck (3-2) and at home to Darlaston (0-2). Albion have also won successive FA Cup home ties against NWCL outfits Cheadle Town and AFC Liverpool by 4-1 scorelines.

Player connections

For a third time this season, Scott Bakkor will line up against a former club, having already enjoyed victories over Clitheroe in the FA Cup and Atherton Colls in NPL West. Scott has made an explosive start at Runcorn, scoring six goals in five appearances.

Joe Ferguson, who returned to the Linnets team on Friday, after sitting out the FA Cup gane at Whitchurch with an injury, made nine appearances for Witton Albion on loan from Blackburn Rovers.

James Short was a regular at Witton before switching to Linnets for the 2020-21 season. 'Shorty' is ruled out of the first half of the season due to injury.

Admission

Adults - £12

Concessions - £7

18-21s £5

Under 18s £3

Junior Members & Under 5s Free

How to get there

By car

The postcode for the ground is CW9 6DA

Directions on Witton Albion website - From M56 Junction 10 - Follow the A559 (Northwich Road) towards Northwich for approximately six miles. Turn right at the crossroads traffic lights by the old Black Greyhound Public House (signposted). Follow the road through the industrial estate for about ½ mile. Turn left immediately after crossing the canal bridge (signposted).

By train

The nearest railway station, Northwich is a five-minute cab ride or 20 minutes’ walk from the ground in Wincham. Train services from Runcorn involve changing at Chester.

Car parking

There is free stadium parking for more than 150 cars.