Linnets looking to avoid another false start as new era begins with short road trip

Vauxhall Motors v RUNCORN LINNETS

Pitching In Northern Premier League, West Division

Saturday, January 10th 2026 (ko 3pm)

vanEupen Arena, Rivacre Road, Hooton, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1NJ.

Runcorn hope to launch the new era under Michael Ellison on Saturday, albeit five days later and in different surroundings than expected.

After being frozen out of APEC Taxis Stadium on Tuesday, putting Ello's planned homecoming on ice, we make the short trip along the M56/M53 to Hooton in Ellesmere Port.

Awaiting us are Vauxhall Motors, who made the Play-offs last season, losing 3-1 in the semi-finals at eventual winners Hednesford Town.

They again hold a top-five position despite key summer departures.

Centre back Adam Rooney, who scored the Motormen's consolation goal at Keys Park,  has quickly become a firm favourite at the APEC after his pre-season move.

Roons has recovered well from the head injury he sustained before Christmas and should soon be back in contention after the compulsory time-out.

Ello has already completed his first piece of transfer business with the signing, three days after the boss's rerurn to the club, of midfielder Harry McGee from Lower Breck.

A regular at the Anfield club this season, Harry is expected to be in line for immediate selection.

Pictures from last season's fixture by Kelly Jones.

Past meetings

Linnets have twice visited vanEupen Arena twice before in Northern Premier League West, winning both.

We triumphed there 4-2 in 2023-24 with Antony Kay, James Hooper, Sean O'Mahony and Ollie Molloy on target. Jay Harvey and Jordan Deer were Vauxhall's scorers.

Last season's corresponding contest was won 1-0, courtesy of a Taylor Bowen penalty.

But we suffered defeat on penalties after a 0-0 Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final draw in March 2022.

This will be the second meeting of the 2025-26 campaign after the 2-2 midweek draw at the APEC back in August.

Scott Bakkor's 86th-minute strike, allied to Sean Miller's equaliser in the 31st minute, had looked set to be enough.

But the late Linnets lead was cancelled out in stoppage time by Adam Hughes, whose team-mate Toby Jones had opened the scoring on the half hour.

Form guide

Vauxhall have won half of their dozen home league games with three draws and three defeats.

They have won three of the last four on their own ground but were most recently beaten 3-2 by Lower Breck on Boxing Day.

Runcorn Linnets' away fortunes have been generally good.

But we have picked up just one point from the last nine on our travels - netting only once in defeats at Stalybridge Celtic and Sporting Khalsa plus a 0-0 draw at Bootle over Christmas.

How to get there

Vauxhall Motors FC is in Hooton, beside Ellesmere Port Golf Course. The Postcode for The vanEupen Arena is CH66 1NJ.

By car - From M53 Motorway take Junction 5 signposted for the A41 Hooton (left at the roundabout). Take the left at the roundabout and proceed down to the  1st set of traffic lights, turning left by The Chimneys Public House into Hooton Green.

Follow the road to the bottom and turn left at ‘T’ junction.Follow the road to the end and at the junction turn right, The vanEupen Arena is approximately 100 yards on the right.

By train - the nearest rail stations are Overpool and Little Sutton, both a 20-minute walk from the ground.

Admission

Adult - £10

Concessions - £7

Under 16s - £2