Under 21s set to continue push for summit

Runcorn Linnets will continue the pursuit of leaders Warrington Town in the North West Under 21s Development League on Sunday while looking over their shoulders for the challenge of Stalybridge Celtic.

Linnets welcome Charnock Richard to APEC Taxis Stadium (ko noon) after a setback last time out.

A 5-4 defeat by Stalybridge was disappointing but uplifting as badly-depleted Runcorn had been 5-1 down entering the last 10 minutes.

They almost completed a remarkable comeback.

The Under 21s had hoped to bounce back last Sunday but the fixture against UDA Soccer Cestrians  was postponed.

The pitch was unfit, having been deliged by heavy rain the previous day, when Northwich Victoria were playing a home fixture at Murdishaw.

The more significant of the two surviving weekend matches in the NW U21s League's top flight saw Warrington stretch nine points clear with a 5-1 home rout of Avro.

Second-placed Linnets have three ganes in hand.

The top two will, however, also be keeping a watchful eye on Stalybridge, who could overhaul them both by winning their catch-up games.

Celtic hold sixth place on 20 points from just nine outings.

Warrington have twice as many points as Stalybridge but played eight games less than the table toppers and five fewer than Runcorn, who they trail by trail by 11 points.

Linnets have already played both Town and Stalybridge at home and away so they must rely on their rivals dropping points while maintaining their own form.

This has overall been mighty impressive considering it is the team's first season at the level.

FC United of Manchester consolidated their third position in the U21s Premier Division last weekend by thrashing fourth-placed Hyde United (Prem).

But the Red Rebels are seven points adrift of Linnets and it is hard to see the title going anywhere other than Warrington Town, Linnets or Stalybridge.

Charnock Richard are second from bottom of the table, averaging a point a game from their 12 matches so far.

But there can be no complacency in what Linnets will view as a must-win contest.

Manager Ste Ellams delays his team selection but wideman Joel Street has one more game to serve of his ban from Sunday football.

He got a 45-minute runout for the first team in their 7-2 midweek romp at Tranmere Rovers in the last eight of the Liverpool Senior Cup, impressing alongside Linnets U21s' top scorer Lew Crane, who has greater senior experience.

Linnets will also be without skipper Jay Lee with the centre back beginning a three-game suspension after his dismissal against Stalybridge - a game which saw both sides finish with 10 players.

Pictures by Kelly Jones