Trafford in town for Friday night under the lights

RUNCORN LINNETS v Trafford

Friday, August 22nd, ko 7.45pm

Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division

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

History trail

Trafford have been regular opponents throughout our time at Step 4 in the Northern Premier League.

We have hosted them six times in the league since gaining promotion for 2018-19 season, winning three and drawing twice.

Trafford's maiden league success on Runcorn's ground came last season when triumphing 2-0.

The also won 3-1 on an Integro League Cup quarter-final visit in 2019.

Our last victory against them at Murdishaw was in December 2022. Linnets goals in the 2-1 game were by Ally Brown and Sam Heathcote, players who have represented both clubs.

2024-25

Saturday, September 14th 2024

Northern Premier League - West Division

Runcorn Linnets 0

Trafford 2

Isaac Noble (37 mins)

Kanye Nisbett (84 mins)

Attendance: 481

2023-24

Saturday, February 3rd 2024

Northern Premier League - West Division

Runcorn Linnets 0

Trafford 0

Attendance: 639

2022-23

Tuesday, December 6th 2022

Northern Premier League West Division

Runcorn Linnets 2

Ally Brown (39 mins)

Sam Heathcote (67 mins)

Trafford 1

Matty Morgan (84 mins)

Attendance: 530

2021-22

Saturday, November 6th 2021

Northern Premier League - West Division

Attendance: 598

Runcorn Linnets 1

Lloyd Marsh-Hughes (88 mins)

Trafford 1

Aidan Roxburgh (12 mins)

2020-21 did not meet (Covid-curtailed)

2019-20

Saturday, December 14th 2019

BetVictor NPL North West Division

Runcorn Linnets 2

Lewis McKinney (86 mins)

Louis Corrigan (90 mins)

Trafford 1

Attendance: 309

2018-19

Saturday, September 15th 2018

Evo-Stik League First Division West

Runcorn Linnets 2

Trafford 1

Attendance: 381

Tuesday, February 5th 2019

Integro League Cup Quarter-Final

Runcorn Linnets 1

Ryan Gibson (55 mins)

Trafford 3

Elliot Harrison (21 mins)

Liam Ellis (50 mins)

Aaron Burns (79 mins)

Attendance: 261

There is also brief history between the club's from.pre-NPL days. In 2007-08, we were colleagues in the North West Counties League First Division (now Premier Division). This was our first season in the top-flight of the Counties and Trafford won the title, losing only three of 38 League games and winning 3-0 at Linnets.

They have been members of the NPL ever since and spent two seasons in its Premier Division (2013-15). Trafford finished ninth in.the West Division in 2024-25, their highest finish in four seasons since returning after the Covid pandemic.

Team news

Goalkeeper Sam Booth  and youngster Josh Wood headed the list of Trafford retentions for this season, both signing contracts. The majority of players have stayed.

The big exception is Rio Clegg who joined Radcliffe FC in the summer winning the NPL West golden boot with 20 goals.

Young striker Kanye Nisbett, a scorer at the APEC in 2024-25, moved onto Stockport Georgians in search of more first-team opportunities.

Midfielder Taylor Dyson, who had arrived at Shawe View late last season, has taken up an offer from Hyde United

Two players from the club's reserves - midfielder Henry Brown and defender Kieron Jones are promoted to the senior squad for the new season

Other new faces include: Kingston Fligg (midfielder, 19, from Stockport Town); Campbell Reid (forward, 19); Kieron Molloy: (midfielder, 24, Wythenshawe Town)

Matt Davies: (forward, 34, Charnock Richard).

Player landmark

Defender Harvey Washington (above) is one away from 50 Linnets appearances.

Form guide

Runcorn Linnets have won three of our four league and cup games this season, scoring eight goals and conceding two with three shutouts.

Scott Bakkor has scored in his last three appearances, taking his season's total to five goals.

Trafford picked up their first campaign win on Saturday by defeating Campion 3-0 at home in the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round. They had lost their first two league games, to Darlaston Town (H) and Clitheroe (A) by 2-1 margins.

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