Despite having a two goal to nil lead at half time, Runcorn found themselves fighting for a goal to salvage a point after an improved second-half Congleton managed to get three goals in the third quarter of the game.

The Linnets opened their tally with a composed strike from Thomas Lamb in the 13th minute, and Jay Edwards made it two with a superb shot from around 30 yards out into the top right corner. Runcorn continued their dominance of the first half until the whistle, despite pressure from the hosts.

Congleton's team talk at half time worked wonders because they came out a different team, and had pulled one back after just four minutes, and an excellently take free kick, from around 25 yards out, put them equal after 58 minutes. Just seven minutes later, their continued attack was awarded with a third goal, leaving the Runcorn faithful wondering where their advantage had gone.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Dave Thompson equalised, and then the spectators were treated to a ding-dong, end-to-end battle which was entertaining, but yielded no further score, leaving it at three a piece. Runcorn should have won the match with their advantage in the first half, but fair play to Congleton who came back, and almost took the victory.

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Runcorn enjoyed their first win of the season against visitors, Colne. Thomas Lamb opened the scoring for the Linnets in 18th minute with an excellently struck ball which floated into the top right corner. Liam Loughlin scored the second in the 43rd minute, with Lamby making it 3 with just one minute of the first half to play. In the last second of the first half, Michael Young had his legs taken from him, and was subsequently carried back to the dressing room when the half time whistle was blown. He didn't return for the second half, as he was subbed for Sean Robinson. Liam Loughlin scored Runcorn's fourth in the 60th minute, after which the Linnets dropped into a more consolidating style of play to maintain their advantage.

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Newcastle took the lead after 12 mins, but Dave Thompson equalised 11 mins later. The second half saw a downpour and a dominant Runcorn unable to capitalise on their possession. Newcastle made it 2 in the 80th minute, but substitute Jay Edwards pulled it back with just three minutes to go. A Paddy O'Driscoll own goal a minute later put Newcastle ahead once more, and in the last seconds of the game they put away a fourth.

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Runcorn were very unlucky not to come away with 3 points in their match against Atherton Collieries. Liam Loughlin put the Linnets ahead in the 8th minute, but shortly after was receiving treatment off the pitch for a couple of minutes following a "strong" tackle. Atherton equalised in the 22nd, and Loughlin, struggling, succumbed to his earlier injury and was substituted two minutes later. Thomas Lamb put the Linnets ahead again from the penalty spot in the 56th. In what was possibly the turning point of the match, Michael Young was sent off in 75th minute following his second booking in a match where many of the fans were at odds with the referee's decisions. Once Runcorn were down to 10 men, Atherton applied as much pressure as they could, and aided by the fact that the half seemed to overrun by around 5 minutes, Atherton scored their all important equaliser from a penalty in literally the last 5 seconds of the match.

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In the last of the pre-season friendlies, on a pitch with grass that could have been shorter (Lamby complained he had to dodge a cow and a sheep in their penalty area!), the Linnets put in a performance that earned 4 goals, but it would have been more if it wasn't for some excellent saves from the Daisy Hill 'keeper. Thomas Lamb scored in 22nd and 26th minutes, putting Runcorn in a comfortable lead. Sean Robinson, a new face for this season, scored in the 76th, and Colin Flood scored the penalty awarded to Sean following a foul in the box in the 87th minute.