Runcorn beat Barnoldswick Town in the North West Counties Premier League at Greenberfield Lane with a score of 1-5. Kevin Towey scored for the Linnets from inside the 6 yard box in the 11th minute. Chris Lomax increased the Linnets' lead with a cracker of a shot in the 32nd minute. Barnoldswick Town closed the gap in the 60th minute. Kevin Towey increased the Linnets' lead with a close range shot in the 60th minute. Gavin Salmon extended our lead from outside the box in the 84th minute. Gavin Salmon put us four goals clear from inside the 6 yard box in the 86th minute.

Match Report

RUNCORN Linnets skipper Mike Tomlinson, who last season led the club to its first senior honour when lifting the North West Counties League Challenge Cup, has announced his retirement from playing.

"Tomo" originally joined Runcorn AFC in the 1990s as a 17-year-old, coming through the youth team ranks to captain the first team by 2002-03 season, and achieve England non-league international honours.

He rejoined the Linnets in December 2012, after serving Vauxhall Motors, Burscough (with whom he won a Northern Premier League title) hometown club Warrington Town under the now Runcorn manager Joey Dunn, and briefly Salford City and Stockport Sports.

Tomlinson's experience has been invaluable in the club's most successful spell since reforming in 2006 and his leadership exceptional. No-one involved with Linnets will ever forget the celebrations after the 3-0 NWC Cup final defeat of Formby last May.

Announcing his decision to hang up his boots, the 34-year-old central defender admitted it had always been his ambition to return to Runcorn to finish his career, adding that time and injuries had now caught up with him.

While regretting not being able to bow out as a title winner - Runcorn's push for the Premier Division championship falling just short in the final week of the campaign - Tomlinson predicts a bright future for the club.

He said: "I and the players are extremely disappointed with not fulfilling our early-season form and winning the title. We feel we have lost it rather than Norton necessarily winning it. Saying that, I can not take anything away from Norton and I must congratulate them on their success. Yes, it has been the club's best finish but that is no consolation for us and will be a bitter pill to swallow into the close season. Hopefully we will use the memories and the experience to drive us forward next season.

"Thank you, on behalf of the players, for the immense support from everybody throughout the season. To you the fans, for backing us when the going was getting tough and our form slumped. We all shared the frustration of it but we hope you could see us still trying to put it right. To everyone at the club who helped behind the scene week after week and game after game to ensure the preparations were right for the game - it didn't and hasn't gone unnoticed.

"The round of applause from us to you at the end of the derby game was a very small token of our appreciation and richly deserved.

"Thank you for all of you who have given me well wishes throughout the season. I must first apologise for it with my injuries. I seem to have had one of those stop-start seasons and picked up big injuries as a result and therefore not matched the standards of performance I have expected of myself.

"Since tearing my medial ligament against Bacup (at the end of March), I have known my season was ended and it is with a sad heart that I intend to retire from football after Saturday's game (think at the age of 34, my body is telling me to stop). I have informed Joey of my intentions, and the lads, who have been great which has been humbling.

"My work commitments could increase soon as is the age of my daughter, who I want to spend more time with, and therefore something's got to give which is the football.

"Thank you for the last two seasons -it was my intention and dream to finish my career where I started it and I've had the true honour of doing that. You guys are a great club and I hope you go from strength to strength which you should do with Joey. It has been a true pleasure and I hope to see (and chat to) you as a fan at some games next season."

Club chairman Derek Greenwood, on behalf of the Trust Board, paid tribute to Mike Tomlinson's contribution to the club.

He said "The Linnets have had many great and influential players through the years and "Tomo" is one of our modern-day legends. His enthusiasm and commitment in both his spells with the Linnets have been second to none and to be able to draw on his ability and know-how in these last 18 months has been terrific.

"I know all our fans have been hugely appreciative of his efforts and very much enjoyed the insight Mike has given through his regular slot in our matchday programme.

"We wish him well in his "retirement" and, needless to say, as a true Linnet, he will always be welcome at the Millbank Linnets Stadium."

Runcorn beat Runcorn Town in the North West Counties Premier League at The Millbank Linnets Stadium with a score of 4-0. Antony Hickey scored in the 30th with a shot from the edge of the area. Town keeper sent off in dying seconds of the first half. Penalty... Kevin Towey increased the Linnets' lead from the penalty spot in added time of the first half. Matty Atherton extended our lead with a header in the 68th minute. Antony Hickey put us four goals clear with a close range shot in the 90th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn Linnets beat Winsford Utd 2-1. An Antony Hickey goal in the 15th minute put the Linnets ahead, but Winsford equalised in the 42nd minute. Kyle Hamid scored the winner in the 78th minute.

Match Report

Runcorn beat St Helens Town in the North West Counties Premier League at Brocstedes Park (home of Ashton Athletic) with a score of 0-3. Kevin Towey put the Linnets ahead with a fantastic strike in the 54th minute. Kyle Hamid increased the Linnets' lead following a rebound in the 63rd minute. Kyle Hamid extended our lead from inside the penalty area in the 64th minute.

Match Report