Runcorn ready to roar into run-in

Ryan Brooke was in co-caretaker charge last time Wythenshawe Town visited in February last year and scored in the 2-2 draw. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley.

Runcorn Linnets v Wythenshawe Town

Pitching in Northern Premier League West

Saturday, March 21st 2026, ko 3pm

APEC Taxis Stadium, Stockham Lane, Murdishaw, Runcorn WA7 6GJ

Preview

With just seven league games remaining -four at home and theee away - the promotion chase intensifies for Linnets as we welcome Wythenshawe Town.

Town are, like last Saturday's opponents Darlaston Town, a team fighting for their NPL lives with the threat of relegation hanging over them.

Captain Domaine Rouse and vice-captain Astley Mulholland have recently stepped up as player bosses at Ericstan Park - replacing Chris Willcock with whom the club parted company last month, after seven months in charge.

Town escaped the drop last season on Farsley Celtic's demotion to Step 5.

Of rhe teams in relegation places across all Step 4 divisions, they had the best points-per-game record

It had been hoped that the experienced hand of the vastly-experienced Willcock would steer the team into calmer waters in 2025-26.

But Saturday's visitors dropped to the foot of the table after Trafford's stunning 4-0 mideeek defeat of Lower Breck.

Accounting for goal difference, Town are 10 points from safety.

Their weekend relegation fixture at home to Congleton Town was abandoned after 85 minutes because of an injury to the referee.

Scores having been level at 1-1, the NPL has since confirmed that it will be played again.

Past visits

Wythenshawe Town visited us twice last season after winning promotion as play-off winners in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

The games were the first against the Greater Manchester, both being 2-2 draws.

Town knocked us out of the Emirates FA Cup in a preliminary round replay 3-1 after twice leading tbe original tie.

Saturday, August 20th 2024

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round

Runcorn Linnets 2

Ryan Brooke 23

Will Saxon 77

Wythenshawe Town 2

Chinedu Uche 8

Matthew Liptrott 73

Attendance: 374.

Tuesday, February 4th 2025

Pitching In NPL West

Pictures by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Runcorn Linnets 2

Naim Arsan 51 (pen)

Ryan Brooke 74

Wythenshawe Town 2

Luke Nock 19

Jacob Blyth 80

Attendance: 440

Form guide

Wythenshawe Town have taken only one point from their last six matches, this being in a 3-3 draw at Mossley on February 7th.

Their other NPL West away matches in 2026 have seen losses at Bootle (1-2), Clitheroe (0-4), Lower Breck (0-6) and most recently Witton Albion (0-1).

They are without a win on their league travels in six matches.

Town also lost a Manchester Premier Cup quarter-final at Ashton United 2-1 in mid-January.

Their last away success therefore was a 3-1 win at Nantwich Town on November 29th -  adding to victories in August at Trafford (2-1) and in September at Sporting Khalsa (3-2).

Linnets have taken 37 points from 17 ganes at APEC Taxis Stadium - a home return bettered only by Avro, whose 39 points have come from 18 games.

We are unbeaten in six at home since suffering our second league campaign defeat at Murdishaw on New Year's Day.

The run includes three wins and three draws since mabager Michael Ellison took charge.

Our remaining home fixtures after Saturday will see us entertain three other promotion-chasing teams - Bury, Bootle and Stalybridge Celtic in what promises to be a thrilling climax to the season.

Player landmark

Lewis Doyle is one appearance short of 200 for Runcorn Linnets.

Doyley made his debut on November 9th 2021in a 3-0 victory at Kendal Town and has excelled in both attacking and defensive midfield roles.

His 199 club outings to date have seen 173 starts and 27 goals.

Only six players have completed a double century of Linnets appearances, including our current manager and vice-captain.

Peter Wylie (243*)

Mark Houghton (212)

Rob Whyte (202)

Kyle Hamid (261)

Michael Ellison (212)

Matt Atherton (313

How to get here

By car - postcode for APEC Taxis Stadium is WA7 6GJ.

By train - Runcorn is served by two railway stations, Runcorn (Liverpool Lime Street to London line, also with services from Chester and Birmingham)  and Runcorn East (trains to and from Manchester, Chester and North Wales). Both stations are served by buses running close to the stadium, although Runcorn High Street bus station (10-minute walk) offers a wider choice for passengers using Runcorn Railway Station.

By bus - the ground is a short walk from the Runcorn Busway - alight at Orniston Bollingbroke Academy (Halton High School) and follow pathway on the opposite side of the busway from the school to Murdishaw Avenue and cross into Stockham Lane. Many local services (including Shopping City circular) run on the busway as well as those from Widnes, Warrington, Liverpool and Chester.

A local taxi service is provided by APEC Taxis (tel 01928 575757).

Parking

There is a large free car park on site.

Bar and catering

The licensed clubhouse bar offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcholic drinks while hot food, tea, coffee and soft drinks and confectionery are on sale from the tea bar.

Admission

Adult - £11

(£2 discount for Halton Leisure Card holders)

Concession (Over 65s) - £8

Juniors (18 and under) - £2