Title-winning Runcorn Linnets Under 21s look to crown revival with cup glory

Dave Bettley previews a big day for our champion U21s men

APEC Taxis Stadium hosts another cup final tomorrow - and it's one of our own.

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s, earlier this week confirmed as champions of North West Under 21s Development League's Championship Division B, take on runners-up Kidsgrove Athletic in the divisional cup final. Kick off is at 2pm.

Ste Ellams's team have had a superb season on Linnets' return to U21s football and with promotion to the Premier Division secured, they will be looking to make it a double.

Kidsgrove had pushed Runcorn close for the title but the Staffordshire side's surprise home defeat by Warrington Rylands on Wednesday put paid to their hopes.

It meant that the Grove could only equal Linnets' points tally.

With both having one league game to play, Runcorn are three points clear.

If both sides finish level at the top, Runcorn would prevail thanks to their head-to-head record against Kidsgrove.

Linnets won both league meetings with tomorrow's cup final visitors.

An Adam Moseley hat-trick inspired a 7-3 away win in November when Josh Elverstone with two, top scorer Lewis Crane and Jaden Ditchfield were also on target.

March's return contest saw Runcorn triumph again, this time 6-1 with Harry Vernon and Jay Lee joining Crane (2), Ditchfield and Moseley on the scoresheet.

Runcorn have also been in prolific form on their way to the Division B Championship Trophy final, scoring 16 without reply in beating AFC Liverpool.Warrington Rylands and Huyton, all at home, and beating Vulcan 3-1 away.

Manager Ellams is rightly proud already of his team's efforts over the campaign.

He said: "Our two goals for the season were to get players through into the first team and to win the league and we have smashed both.

"So in some ways, getting to a final is a bonus but with the last league game still to come at home to Northwich Victoria on Wednesday, we are determined to end the season on a high."

NWU21DL's secretary, Stuart Crawford and divisional secretary Tom Fox will present the trophy to the winners and also the championship trophy to Runcorn skipper Jay Lee and his team.

Although this week is the climax to nine months of endeavour on the field, it is also the culmination of a two-year plan.

Chairman Peter Cartledge said: "The club took some criticism when the previous arrangement for men's Under 21s was disbanded, even though the plan was laid out to resurrect the team.

"This has been been delivered - with interest. Great credit goes to management, coaches players and club officials who have worked alongside them to make this happen."

The MDB Gas Clubhouse bar will be open before, during and after the game with the tea bar also in operation.

Runcorn boss Ellams has named the following squad of 16:

Alex Ellams (GK), Jay Lee (captain), Callum Prince, Josh Elverstone, Cam Schofield, Ben Dobbie, Arty Benjamin, Billy McNay, Eneil Gumbs, Jaden Ditchfield, Asnafi Shamari, Sam Stephens, Harry Vernon, Macauley Clifton, Lewis Crane, Zack Parker.