Runcorn lost to AFC Liverpool in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division at The Marine Travel Arena with a score of 3-1. AFC Liverpool extended their lead in the 78th minute. Antony Hickey pulled one back with a shot in added time of the second half.

Match Report

Runcorn Linnets have signed experienced striker Brian Matthews from Prestwich Heys.

The 29-year-old had only recently joined the Hallmark Security League Division One club from Congleton Town.

Prior to leaving Congleton, he had netted 16 times in 24 appearances.

Linnets boss, Michael Ellison is naturally very pleased to have captured the highly-rated player.

Brian's former clubs also include Styal FC, Flixton, Salford City, New Mills, Mossley and Winsford United.

Runcorn beat Squires Gate in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 4-3. Squires Gate scored in the 13th minute from a Danny McKenna own goal. Mark Houghton equalised in the 38th minute with a coolly taken strike from inside the 6 yard box. Squires Gate went ahead in the 41st minute. Squires Gate increased their lead in the 54th minute. Kyle Hamid closed the gap in the 64th minute with a fantastic penalty. Kristian Holt equalised in the 76th minute following a cracking chip from inside the area. Stuart Wellstead scored for the Linnets with a well-taken goal from inside the area in the 80th minute.

Match Report

Our entry into this season's Cheshire Senior Cup will bring new visitors to The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

We have been paired at home to Nantwich Town in the first round and the game will be the first meeting since we reformed as Runcorn Linnets in 2006.

The Linnets do, however, have history with Nantwich in the competition - in 1976, Runcorn AFC lost 5-4 to the Dabbers in the final at Crewe.

Nantwich are now members of the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, currently lying eighth in the table.

They entered the 2016-17 Senior Cup in the preliminary round, winning 5-0 at Alsager Town.

First-round ties are scheduled to be played in week commencing Monday, January 9th 2017.

[Update - This match is now scheduled for the 17th January]

IT'S not often that a team from fifth tier of Non-League football has chance to play against a Premier League club - so a surprise midweek fixture against Liverpool FC was memorable for the management of players of Runcorn Linnets.

The Hallmark Security League Premier Division club accepted at short notice a welcome chance to take on a Reds' Under-23s side under floodlights at the LFC Academy in Kirkby on Tuesday and relished the experience.

The behind-closed-doors fixture was arranged at short notice after the Reds' scheduled opponents, TNS withdrew.

Liverpool had recently played an Under 16s fixture against Derby County at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and when the Anfield club's Academy secretary, Conor Barry asked if the Linnets could step in, Runcorn's manager, Michael Ellison didn't need a second invitation.

A talented LFC team that featured England Under 18s and U20s representative Cameron Brannagan, who has already played first-team football for the Reds, triumphed 2-0 thanks to a couple of early goals.

But Linnets boss Ellison felt it had been a thoroughly enjoyable and highly beneficial experience for his squad, particularly the younger players.

Ellison said: "The lads were buzzing about the game, to be fair. It was a great opportunity for them to test themselves against a real top side and one they thoroughly enjoyed, especially the Reds among them. "The fact that they (Liverpool) even considered us is a massive compliment to the club. Hopefully, we can do it again sometime in the future.

"The lads really enjoyed it and I would like to thank Liverpool for their hospitality - they really did make us feel welcome."

All available members of the Runcorn squad played a part in the game, highlights being down on LFCTV Go. Ellison added: "When you're playing against players of that stature and quality, it's obviously really tough but in can only be beneficial for lads and they certainly came away from the game with lots of positives.

"I thought the lads more than held their own against a really top-quality side it took us about 25 minutes to get used to the pace of the game which was frightening at times but once we settled down, I thought we did really well."