Welsh and Wylie gear up for new challenge

Saturday sees a Cheshire derby between two teams striving to recapture the form, which saw them take high order in NPL West Division last season.

Linnets reached the promotion semi-finals after finishing fourth in 2025-26 while Vauxhall came in seventh - a position which would be enough for a place in the extended play-offs this time around.

We go into our first match with Jacques Welsh and Peter Wylie officially in post, after encouraging results and performances with the two long-serving players in caretaker charge.

The immediate challenge now is to capitalise on the recent improvement and break into the top half after two wins and a draw from three previous home outings under the two Ws.

Like Runcorn, who have earned top-five positions in four of the last five campaigns, Vauxhall have generally been at the top end of the West Division standings but currently lie in 17th to Linnets' 12th.

Neither has managed more than two wins in succession all season. Linnets have done it twice and Vauxhall just the once.

The Motormen, however, are fresh from their second away victory of the league season after Michael Burkey's hat-trick in Tuesday's 3-2 triumph at Newcastle Town.

Jacques Welsh scored a rare goal for a last-gasp Runcorn equaliser in February 2025 as we drew 1-1 with Vauxhall in Brad Cooke's first game in charge. Now Jacques has a managerial debut of his own after four matches as caretaker boss.

They'd lost the previous two on their travels, having starting the season with four unbeaten away games, the first three being 1-1 draws.

Linnets have won four out of nine home matches - all of which have been in the league - with two draws. We are unbeaten in four games at the APEC.

After meeting up with Linnets old boys Scott Bakkor and Harvey Washington at Stafford on Saturday, there will be more reunions this weekend.

Centre back Adam Rooney, who was with us for the first half of last season, and Sam Turner, a one-time Linnets loanee from Chester, will be in the visiting ranks.

Vauxhall, managed by former Runcorn Town and 1874 Northwich boss Chris Herbert, will be facing former players too.

Calvin Hare, Nick Rushton, Conor Harwood and Toby Jones all moved along the M56 in the summer while Lewis Buckley and Fin Ryan (in his youth) have also served the Motormen.

RUNCORN LINNETS v Vauxhall Motors

Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division

Saturday, October 31st 2026 (ko 3pm).

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

Admission

Adults £12; Concessions £9: Under 18s £3.

Fully-licensed bar.

Refreshments from the Tea Bar are available.

DON'T FORGET OUR POST-MATCH HALLOWE'EN PARTY!