Linnets playing catch-up in NPL West after cup expoits

Mossley v RUNCORN LINNETS

Pitching In Northern Premier league West

Tuesday, October 14th 2025

Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL5 0ES

Back to business in the league

Naim Arsan and Luke Wall in the thick of last season's action at Seel Park as Mateusz Kardacz stands in their way. Picture by KELLY JONES.

Linnets return to league action for what will be our first outing in NPL West since the 3-0 home victory over Kidsgrove on September 16th.

We have in the meantime dropped to 14th in the table due to all-consuming cup commitments but have played only half the number of games as some rival clubs.

Indeed our points tally after six games is better than some teams on 12 matches.

Our 1-0 defeat of Bury in our last away league game on September 9th is our only away loss so far in all competitions.

Lewis Doyle and Mossley's Teddy Lavelle contest possession in the 2-0 away defeat for Linnets in January this year. Picture by KELLY JONES.

Mossley are one place behind us on goals difference, having played four more games.

They were held 1-1 at home by Trafford on Saturday in their only game in October to date.

The Lilywhites went through August without registering a home league win, incurring 1-0 losses to Lower Breck and Avro while drawing 0-0 against Clitheroe.

Their only September appearance in front of their own fans brought a 4-0 victory over Sporting Khalsa, their other league victory so far being a 4-1 win at Darlaston Town in late August.

Karl Clair in aerial combat last time out against the Lilywhites at Seel Park. Picture by KELLY JONES.

Past meetings

Freddie Potter starred on our first league visit to Mossley in September 2018. Picture by JAMES EASTUP.

We have had mixed fortunes on previous league visits to Mossley. There has been no middle ground with all seven games having ended in victory for one side or the other -Linnets currently leading by four wins to three.

The most memorable of these trips from our perspective was the first.

It was highlighted by a couple of Freddie Potter goals, the first being widely acclaimed by all who witnessed it.

Some described the goal as the best they have ever seen live.

Unfortunately, there are no photographs or video footage that we know of so unless you were there, you'll have to take their word for it.

Here's a description of the goal from our match report:

“Giving chase to a long ball down the right, McCarthy got to it in the nick of time through sheer determination.

"In a swirling wind, his first-time cross from almost on the deadball line dropped behind Potter, who steadied himself momentarily before spectacularly launching himself into the air with back to goal to power home.”

It won our 2018-19 Goal of the Season award:

The next visit to Seel Park featured a strike by a certain Ryan Brooke - but for Mossley rather than the Linnets.

Mossley emulated Runcorn's efforts of the previous season in coming from a goal behind to triumph by an odd goal in three.

Brookey has gone on to score a record number of goals for Runcorn, including a couple in subsequent Linnets wins on the same ground.

Tuesday, September 25th 2018

NPL West Division

Mossley 1

Andrew Keogh

Runcorn Linnets 2

Freddie Potter 75, 90 (pen)

Attendance: 270.

Tuesday, August 20th 2019

NPL North West Division

Mossley 2

Nicky Platts (60)

Ryan Brooke (68)

Runcorn Linnets 1

Jamie Rainford (15)

Attendance: 361.

Tuesday, September 29th 2020

NPL North West Division

Mossley 1

Matty Waller (49)

Runcorn Linnets 2

Craig Lindfield (15)

Ryan Brooke (23)

Attendance: 337.

Saturday February 26th 2022

NPL West Division

Mossley 0

Runcorn Linnets 2

Iwan Murray (19)

Ryan Brooke (32)

Attendance: 548.

Tuesday 16th August 2022

NPL West Division

Mossley 1

Louis Potts (81 pen)

Runcorn Linnets 0

Attendance: 478.

Saturday November 11th 2023

NPL West Division

Mossley 0

Runcorn Linnets 3

Lewis Doyle (5)

Oliver Molloy (20)

Oliver Molloy (45)

Attendance: 531.

Saturday, January 18th 2025

NPL West Division

Mossley 2

Obua Mugalula (25, 78)

Runcorn Linnets 0

Attendance: 521.

Keeping things interesting

Clockwise from top left Greg Hall, HarveyBardsley, George Huyton and Bayleigh Passant have all played in goal for Linnets this season.

Our goalkeeping situation has certainly kept manager Brad Cooke and goalkeeping coach Adam Rigby on their toes.

With the campaign just 16 games old, four 'keepers have already donned the gloves while another, Alex Ellams has been on the bench but is presently injured.

Greg Hall made his debut in the weekend FA Cup tie against Buxton, whose starting and reserve 'keeper were both former Runcorn loan No.1s !

Paul Cooper appeared twice for us after being drafted in from Barnsley in November 2022 .

Joe Young, on the bench for the Bucks on Saturday, played 26 games as our regular 'keeper in 2021-22 before being recalled by then parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

How to get there

By car - Exit M60 J23, following A635 Ashton-under-Lyne then A670 to Mossley.

After approximately 2.5 miles drop down the hill into Mossley town centre.

Passing supermarket on left, turn right before the traffic lights.

Continue up the hill and left onto Market Street.

Ground is approx. 200 yards on the left.

(Directions from www.mossleyafc.co.uk)

By train - there is no direct service to Mossley from Runcorn. The journey involves at least one change.

You can find the service from Runcorn Station here

For journeys by train from Runcorn East please click here

Ryan Brooke has scored in this fixture for both clubs. Picture by BEN JACKSON.

Admission

Adult £12

Concession £7

12-17 year olds £2

Accompanied U12s FREE

A compilation of photos from our most recent Seel Park victory in November 2023, featuring two-goal Olly Molloy (top), Jacques Welsh (bottom left) and James Short. Pictures by Neil Thornton.