Time for Linnets to strike back

3 days ago
4 min read

Runcorn v Mossley

Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division

Saturday, February 14th (ko 3pm)

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

For the second time this season, we meet Mossley on the back of a big-game defeat.

The away fixture in mid-October came four days after our narrow exit from the Emirates FA Cup against National League North club Buxton.

The drab goalless draw at Seel Park wasn't memorable for anything other than its difficult timing.

We have since completed the transfer of midfielder Isaac Graham from the Lilywhites, although he missed out through injury last weekend.

We meet this time with Linnets looking to hit back after the single-goal loss at Lower Breck, which saw us relinquish our brief lead of the NPL West table.

Breck, however, were beaten 4-3 at Witton Albion on Tuesday, missing the chance to extend their two-point advantage over second-placed Bury and Linnets in third with the Shakers having a game in hand.

Manager Michael Ellison made clear his displeasure at the weekend performance and will want a response from the players.

Past meetings

Linnets have entertained Mossley in six of the last seven league seasons with three wins, two defeats and a draw.

The Lilywhites did not visit in the second Covid-curtailed season of 2020-21.

We last season clinched our biggest league win over Mossley at APEC Taxis Stadium by a 4-1 margin, although we had previously enjoyed a 4-0 home FA Cup victory them in a Preliminary Round replay in 2011-12.

We were then a North West Counties League Premier Division side and Mossley in NPL Division One North.

Jack Grundy, who scored against us at Stockham Lane in 2021-22, is one of a couple of players to have scored for Mossley in this fixture before going onto play for us.

He is now of course back in Mossley's colours.

The other to have done so is a certain Ryan Brooke, who scored against us in 2020, albeit in a Mossley defeat.

But he has more than made up for it since!

Brookey has subsequently registered twice for Linnets against Saturday's visitors at Stockham Lane.

Saturday, February 23rd 2019

NPL West Division

Runcorn Linnets 2

NPL West Division

Paul Shanley (54)

Kurt Sherlock (62)

Mossley 2

Max Leonard (34, 70 pen)

Attendance: 478

Saturday, January 4th 2020

NPL North West Division

Runcorn Linnets 2

Tom Owens (57)

Louis Corrigan (67 pen)

Mossley 1

Ryan Brooke (43)

Attendance: 341

Tuesday, October 6th 2021

NPL West Division

Runcorn Linnets 0

Mossley 4

Jack Grundy (50)

Mason Fawns (55)

Declan Evans (60)

Bailey Marsden (76)

Attendance: 684

Saturday, January 7th 2023

NPL West Division

Runcorn Linnets 1

Ryan Brooke (58)

Mossley 2

Mason Fawns (30)

Oumar Camara (73)

Attendance: 626

Saturday, April 6th 2024

Northern Premier League West Division

Runcorn Linnets 2

Ryan Brooke (7)

Antony Kay (47)

Mossley 0

Attendance: 585

Saturday 28th September 2024

NPL West Division

Runcorn Linnets 4

Luke Wall (1)

Adam Moseley (22)

Jaden Jones (25)

Will Saxon (86)

Mossley 1

Mason Fawns (12 pen)

Attendance: 501

Form guide

Despite last Saturday's defeat, Linnets lie fourth in the form table after taking 11 points from the last 18.

The team had gone unbeaten in the previous six league games under Michael Ellison, picking up four wins and two draws.

With nine points from the last six matches, Mossley are 10th in the form standings.

They have won two - away to Atherton Collieries and at home against Congleton Town by 3-2 margins - and drawn three since a 2-0 New Year's Day loss at Avro.

Mossley hold 13th in NPL West with 37 points, 19 points fewer than Linnets.Both teams have played 30 matches.

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.