Quest to retain Senior Cup begins

Winsford United v RUNCORN LINNETS

Cheshire Senior Cup

Tuesday, November 25th (ko 7.45pm)

Barton Stadium, Wharton Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 3AE.

Runcorn's rivalry with Winsford United dates back to our first season in 2006-07, when we fought it out for the North West Division Two title.

The Blues were crowned as chsmpions on goal difference but promotion as runners-up took us into Division One, this subsequently being renamed the Premier Division.

This will be our 15th game against Winsford at Barton Stadium, where our early outcomes were mixed.

We  are, however, unbeaten on our last eight visits to play the Blues - our last being in January 2022 when we enjoyed a 5-0 victory.

Goals from Joe Lynch (pen), Lloyd Marsh-Hughes, Iwan Murray, Stuart Crilly and Sean O'Mahony saw us home in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

The tie brought the debut of 6ft 7in goalkeeper Jak Stewart, on loan from Everton, this being the first of four appearances.

Jak was the second of four 'keepers in quick succession to join on temporary terms from Premier League and EFL clubs that season - after Joe Young's recall by Wolverhampton Wanderers following a 26-game stint.

The others were Dermot Mee (Manchester United), Matthew Alexander (Bolton Wanderers) and Owen Mooney (Wigan Athletic).

This will be our third Senior Cup tie away to Winsford, the first in in 2010-11 having seen us triumph 2-1.

Our full away record against the Blues (all NWCL games, unless stated) is:

2006-07

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 0

2007-08

Winsford United 2 Runcorn Linnets 1

2008-09

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 2

2009-10

Winsford  United 1 Runcorn Linnets 0

2010-11

Winsford United 1 Runcorn Linnets 2 (Cheshire Senior Cup)

Winsford United 2 Runcorn Linnets 1

2011-12

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 1

2012-13

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 0

2013-14

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 4

2014-15

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 2

2015-16

Winsford United 2 Runcorn Linnets 3

2016-17

Winsford United 1 Runcorn Linnets 1

2017-18

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 4

2021-22

Winsford United 0 Runcorn Linnets 5 (Cheshire Senior Cup)

Form guide

RUNCORN LINNETS are seventh in the Northern Premier League West Division on 29 points from 16 games - with eight wins, five draws and three defeats. We have the third best away record in the division - chalking up 16 points from 10 games.

We have won eight, drawn four and lost two of 14 matches on the road in all competitions, both losses being by the only goal.

Despite Saturday's defeat at Stalybridge Celtic, we hold fourth spot in the form table with 13 points from our last six games.

This is the first match in defence of our first Cheshire Senior Cup title last season.

WINSFORD UNITED lie ninth in the Midland League Premier Division on 22 points from 14 games - with six wins, four draws and four losses.

In home league games their record is W3 D3 L2 F12 A10

They are tenth in the league's form table, covering the last six games - winning two, drawing two and losing two.

United have played just the one game in November, winning 2-1 at Barnoldswick Town in the FA Vase. Their two matches since were postponed.

In the previous round of the Cheshire Senior Cup, they defeated Altrincham 6-5 on penalties at Barton Stadium, after a 0-0 draw.

Past Masters

Although our 3-0 victory in the 2024-25 final against Stalybridge Celtic, courtesy of Adam Moseley's hat-trick, saw us lift the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time, our predecessors Runcorn AFC won it 12 times.

Their first success was in 1925 - 100 years before we achieved the same feat.

Winsford United have won the competition three times - in 1959 (beating Ellesmere Port Town), 1980 and 1993 (both times at the expense of Witton Albion).

They have been runners-up seven times, first reaching the final in 1901 when they lost 1-0 to Sale Holmfield. Their other near misses were in 1921 (the winners being Congleton Town), 1926 and 1927 (losing both times to Tranmere Rovers), 1949 (beaten by Stockport County), 1954 and 1973 (losing both finals to Macclesfield Town)

Player records

Vice-captain Peter Wylie made his 200th start for Runcorn Linnets on Saturday when skipper Jacques Welsh was named in the XI for the 149th time.

On target

Our top scorer so far this season is Scott Bakkor with 12 goals while Naim Arsan and Lewis Crane both have six.

Winsford's leading marksmen are Oliver Pope on 12 goals and Kallam Boyle with 10.

Directions

By car - M6 to Junction 19, follow A556 westwards until slip road for the A533, follow A533 until roundabout, onto the industrial estate, turn right at that roundabout and take the A5018 until next roundabout, bear left onto Wharton Roard to the Top House pub, turn left onto Kingsway and left again to ground. (Other routes are available).

By train - there is a direct service from Runcorn to Winsford. Plan your journey here.

Admission

Adult £8

Concession £6

Under 16s £2