APEC Taxis Stadium, home of Runcorn Linnets based in Cheshire and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One West.
It’s a Merseyside vs Greater Manchester game in the Non League the day before the big Manchester United vs Liverpool in the FA Cup! Linnets looking good near the top of the league and looking to cement their place in the play-offs whereas Avro languishing in mid-table.
So it’s across the Peak District onto the M56 and into the ground in good time! £10 to watch this tie! Thank you! The place is filling up nicely and an atmosphere looks set to happen as the players take to the field. It’s Cheshire vs Greater Manchester albeit with Liverpudlian accents, let’s have a cracker!
Kick Off! 9 minutes in and Linnets play down the right, it’s crossed in… Saxon with the header… Over!
4 minutes later and Linnets come forward, Jacques Welsh has it and he goes for goal from distance… Just just wide! So close!
19th minute and Linnets play down the right, he beats his man and plays it across… It’s a scramble and… It’s poked home! Ryan Brooke was there to poke it home and Runcorn Linnets lead! 1-0!
Linnets are looking good in this game but the Referee has waved away a number of fouls (in my opinion) and the Linnets fans aren’t happy understandably!
Right on half time now and Avro are in the box on the right and out comes the keeper… It’s played across to Ethan Kershaw… He slides in and guides it home! Avro are level! 1-1! That’s how it stays at half time.
Second half, 66th minute and Linnets play down the right again, Adam Moseley gets into the box… Down he goes… PENALTY! Linnets have the chance to lead again! Sean O’Mahony steps up… AND SCORES! Linnets lead again! 2-1!
“Da da da DA! Runcorn Linnets! Da da da DA!” Linnets fans in great voice now!
75th minute and Knappers runs through on the left, he gets into the box and shoots… Side netting!
Big game management tactics now from Linnets… And it pays off! Big win for Linnets!
FT: Runcorn Linnets 2-1 Avro
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – Loud at times but only for the second half…
- The Ground: 6/10 – Decent stands and clubhouse! But just above basic for me!
- Expense: 10/10 – £10 is ok for this level.
- Overall Experience: 5/10 – Would’ve loved more action overall but I’m glad I ticked it off!
28/40
You got to witness the worst display by a referee I have ever seen in over ten years of watching Linnets home and away, despite some very stiff competition. Will Saxon was brought down with a smack to the back of the head, no foul, and he booked three Linnets players for being fouled (Olly Molloy for being fouled and then kicked on the ground). I was amazed when he gave us the penalty, but I reckon he was scared of what might happen if he didn’t. And Will Saxon was subbed at half-time purely because the referee had made it clear he was itching to send him off. Quite why he hates him is a mystery. Will isn’t aware of having any ‘history’ with him.
He was an absolute disgrace. Fortunately he failed in his objective of denying us 3pts.
Hope you enjoyed the visit overall!