Brad warns it's Shawe to be a difficult game

WYTHENSHAWE TOWN v Runcorn Linnets

Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division

Saturday, November. 8th 2025

Ericstan Park Timpson Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9LL

Brad Cooke has warned Linnets not to be fooled by Wythenshawe Town's lowly league position and insists his team cannot take anything for granted.

Having been spared relegation at the end of last season due to Farsley Celtic dropping out of the National Leagues System, Wythenshawe lie third from bottom on 17 points from 13 games.

However, eighth-placed Linnets have yet to win at Ericstan Park in two attempts and the boss knows that no side managed by Chris Willcock will make it easy.

Past visits

Linnets maiden visit to Town was in last seasons Emirates FA Cup when Wythenshawe came from behind to beat us 3-1 in a Preliminary Round replay.

Taylor Bowen, on loan from Blackpool, had given Runcor a 15th-minute lead but Lee Wilshaw and George Boyd scored late goals to punish a poor Linnets performance.

Former Premier League star Boyd had pulled the Wythenshawe team level in the 22nd.

Linnets were held 0-0 in the league encounter.

Connections

Linnets goalkeeper Greg Hall, who has made eight appearances since coming into the squad to replace the injured Bayleigh Passant, played 46 times for Wythenshawe Town in their first Step 4 campaign of 2024-25.

Greg had already helped them to win promotion in the previous season, this being secured with a North West Counties League Premier Division Play-off Final victory over Bury.

The vastly-experienced showstopper departed at the end of last season and linked up with Linnets after a brief spell as emergency cover at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Greg will be up against Chris Willcock, his former manager at Glossop North End, where our now 'keeper was not only a NWCL title winner but reached the 2015 FA Vase final at Wembley. GNE lost 2-1 to North Shields in extra-time.

Willcock took over at Wythenshawe Town in June of this year, succeeding Rory Fallon, who had played three times for Linnets in 2017.

Form guide

Wythenshawe Town's home form in NPL West has been disappointing with six points being taken from eight matches.

Their only victory to date at Ericstan Park was in the home game before last in which they defeated Witton Albion 2-1.

Three of their first five homes ended in draws- 2-2 first up against Bootle while successive matches against Mossley and Avro ended 2-2.

Visiting teams leaving with a victory were Stafford Rangers (0-3), Shifnal Town (0-2), Lower Breck (0-2) and on Tuesday of this week Clitheroe (0-2).

Both cup-ties on home ground ended in defeat - 2-4 at home to Prestwich Heys in the FA Cup on the opening day of the season and 1-3 to FA Trophy opponents Bury, after being retrieved because the Shakers fielded an ineligible player in the original staging at Gigg Lane.

Linnets have collected 10 points from our seven West Division aways with wins at Atherton Colls (2-0 and Avro (2-1), draws at Witton Albion (1-1), Mossley (0-0), Stafford Rangers (2-2) and Congleton 1-1.

We have gone four matches undefeated on our league travels since losing 1-0 at Bury on September 9th, this being our only away defeat in 11 games. Our record includes four away victories in the Emirates FA Cup including the replay success at Ashton United.

2025-26 Factfile

Wythenshawe Town at home

Biggest victory:

2-1 v Witton Albion (August 25th)

Heaviest defeat:

0-3 v Stafford Rangers (August 23rd))

Highest scoring game:

2-4 v Prestwich Heys, EmiratesFA Cup (August 2nd)

Highest attendance:

347 v Bury, Isuzu FA Trophy (September 16th)

Lowest attendance

104 v Avro

September 20th

Runcorn Linnets away

Biggest victory

3-0 v Whitchurch Alport, Emirates FA Cup (August 16th)

Heaviest defeat

0-1 v Bury (September 9th)

Highest scoring game

2-2 v Stafford Rangers (October 25th)

Highest attendance:

2,908 v Bury (September 9th)

Lowest attendance:

231 v Avro (October 29th)

Player landmark

One more start will take Peter Wylie to 200 for Linnets, a feat achieved only three times previously.

The other players to have reached this particular double century are Kyle Hamid (236), Michael Ellison (202), and Matt Atherton (259).

Five Runcorn players have made more than 200 appearances:

Matt Atherton (313)

Kyle Hamid 261

Peter Wylie 220

Michael Ellison 212

Mark Hougton 212 (173 starts)

Rob Whyte 202 (170 starts)

How to get there

By road - From the M56 Junction 3, follow the sign for Wythenshawe Hospital. After one mile, after passing the Shell garage, turn left at the traffic lights then right at the next set of traffic lights. The ground is at the end of this road.

From the M60 (Counterclockwise), come off

at Junction 5 and join the M56. Take the first exit which is Junction 3 and follow signs as above.

From the M60 (Clockwise), head towards the M56 at Junction 4 and come off at the first exit, Junction 2 towards Wythenshawe. At the roundabout go straight

ahead towards Altrincham, and at the second roundabout take the second exit, again towards Altrincham. This will bring you to M56 Junction 3. Go straight ahead at the roundabout and follow the directions above.

By train/tram - there is no railway station in Wythenshawe but train passengers from Runcorn East can connect with the Metrolink tram service from Manchester. Moor Road and Baguley tram stops, 10 minutes walk from the ground, are on the Victoria/Manchester Airport Line.

Parking:

The ground has two small car parks buf the one, on the clubhouse site,is available to club and match officials only on matchdays.

Limited Disabled parking is available on this car park one. it is advisable to

telephone the club in advance (0161 998 5076

Parking is permitted on Timpson Road, but please park with consideration to other businesses. Do not park across or opposite access gates.

Parking is available on Tesco car park (advisable to make a purchase of some kind) for up to three hours after which you will need to pay for parking (Please see notices displayed on Tesco car park).

Admission:

By cash or card at Main Turnstile on Timpson Road

Adult £10

Concessions £7

Under 16s £3