Runcorn Linnets Under 15s Yellow will host their Cheshire County FA Junior Cup quarter-final this Sunday (January 14th) on the club's senior pitch at the Millbank Linnets Stadium (ko 2pm).

Since, like their visitors Wallasey Wanderers FC U15s Scopions, having a walkover in the first round, the Linnets youngsters have scored two excellent victories en route to the last eight.

Many of the Runcorn team were spectators when last season's Linnets U15s played in the final of the same competition, gallantly losing 5-3 to Dukinfield Youth, so it would be great to see them get another victory and go all the way - to lift the cup.

The U15s Yellow is our only boys' team at this age group. The team plays in the St Helens & Rainhill Junior League on Saturdays and its Sunday football in the Warrington Junior League.

Progress of the teams so far is as follows:

ROUND ONE:

Both won by walkover – Wallasey Wanderers Scorpions at home to Wilmslow Sports Community FC U15s Pumas and Runcorn Linnets U15s Yellow away to TSC United U14s Reds.

ROUND TWO:

Marple Athletic JFC U15s 1, Runcorn Linnets U15s Yellow 9

Wallasey Wanderers FC U15 Scorpions 11, Sale Communities JFC U15 1

ROUND THREE:

Princes Villa JFC U14s 1, Runcorn Linnets U15s Yellow 6

Wallasey Wanderers FC U15 Scorpions 4, AFC Alsager U15 Cobras 1

Well done to our first team full back Danny O'Brien on winning the Macron Player of the Month award for December in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

After three successive nominations, the award is certainly well earned!

Danny is the second Linnets player to win a monthly award this season, following Stuart Wellstead's success in September.

Runcorn beat Winsford United in the The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at Barton Stadium with a score of 0-4. Stuart Wellstead put the Linnets ahead in the 8th minute following a cracking strike from inside the area. Danny O'Brien increased the Linnets' lead with a fantastic penalty in the 36th minute. Antony Hickey extended our lead following a coolly taken tap from just outside the 6 yard box in the 58th minute. Freddie Potter put us four goals clear with a brilliant shot from inside the area that went in off the post in the 74th minute. 84 mins:Matt Holmes saved a penalty.

Match Report

A common factor in Runcorn Linnets' rise to the top of The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at New Year has been the ever-consistent form of defender Danny O'Brien.

The one-time midfield player turned full back has just kept on producing the goods in his own inimitable style - understated but at the same time spectacular - and club officials had no hesitation in naming Danny as first team Millbank Player of the Month for December.

It is not as if there weren't other strong candidates. Attacking midfielder Kris Holt has been a revelation since returning to the Runcorn ranks full-time from dual registration with Atherton Collieries (his hat-trick against Barnton being the obvious highlight) while Kieran Nolan has excelled in the holding role; Freddie Potter came off the bench to score twice in the Runcorn derby win on Boxing Day, promptly adding a further brace to steer the Linnets to 2-0 victory over Hanley Town, while Aaron Morris and Jimmy Moore have cemented an already strong central defensive partnership with three consecutive clean sheet triumphs.

But you just can't keep a good man down and Danny O'Brien's nomination completes a straight hat-trick of club Player of the Month awards for the former Cammell Laird 1907 player to again underline his genuine importance to the team's on-field strategy and overall performance.

The statistics tell their own tale with Danny again proving much more than an excellent defender as the Linnets negotiated a tough Christmas schedule of three league games over the holiday period – including two matches against top-four opposition in four days – with a triple shut out.

Danny has again used his set-piece prowess – be it from corners, penalties or free-kicks – to deliver a quartet of important goals in the closing month of 2017, taking his campaign total to eight while remaining highly influential in open play when going forward or covering in defence.

Thanks once again to all who bought and sold tickets or provided prizes for the Supporters Club Christmas draw. The winners are as follows: