Runcorn Linnets are to entertain Widnes in the Pitching In Northern Premier League North West Division this Saturday, December 19th.

The league has given the go-ahead for a resumption of fixtures with clubs being allowed to play their scheduled game if desired.

The NPL said in a statement this morning: " In line with the statement issued yesterday morning it was the intention of the Trident Leagues to await notice of the implications of the latest Government review expected on Wednesday. 

"However, in view of the number of requests the Northern Premier League Board has taken the decision to permit clubs who are in agreement to play their league fixtures on Saturday, 19th December with a 3pm KO.

"Should there be any adverse changes affecting our Steps 3 - 4 as a result of any announcements made on Wednesday, we will advise you accordingly. 

"Otherwise, we will look to resume the published league fixture schedule from Saturday, 26th December for all clubs.

"This decision is that of the Board of the Northern Premier League."

Morpeth Town AFC scored in the 27th minute. Morpeth Town AFC got another in the 41st minute with a goal from Jack Foalle. Wayne Phillips received a Yellow Card for Morpeth Town AFC in the 58th minute. In the 59th minute the Linnets substituted Stuart Crilly for Oladapo Olarewaju. Iwan Murray closed the gap from just outside the area from a drilled shot in the 59th minute. Ryan Brooke equalised in the 63rd minute from inside the 6 yard box from a coolly taken tap. Jack Foalle received a Yellow Card for Morpeth Town AFC in the 72nd minute. Chris Reid received a Yellow Card for Morpeth Town AFC in the 75th minute. In the 76th minute Morpeth Town AFC substituted Jack Foalle for Joe Walton. In the 82nd minute Morpeth Town AFC substituted Andrew Johnson for Dale Walker. Michael Turner received a Yellow Card for Morpeth Town AFC in the 82nd minute. In the 82nd minute the Linnets substituted Iwan Murray for Cain Noble. In the 86th minute the Linnets substituted Ryan Brooke for Kurt Sherlock. Liam Henderson scored their penalty for Morpeth Town AFC making the score 0-1. Tom McCready scored their penalty for The Linnets making the score 1-1. Joe Walton had their penalty saved for Morpeth Town AFC leaving the score at 1-1. Craig Lindfield missed their penalty for The Linnets leaving the score at 1-1. Connor Oliver had their penalty saved for Morpeth Town AFC leaving the score at 1-1. James Short scored their penalty for The Linnets making the score 2-1. Liam Noble scored their penalty for Morpeth Town AFC making the score 2-2. Cain Noble had their penalty saved for The Linnets leaving the score at 2-2. Dan Lowson scored their penalty for Morpeth Town AFC making the score 2-3. Kurt Sherlock had their penalty saved for The Linnets leaving the score at 2-3.

Match Report

Former Hyde United wideman Oladapo Olarewaju has arrived at Runcorn Linnets from professional football in Germany.

Dapo, 19, last year joined SV Meppen of  3.Liga - the level immediately below the two Bundesliga divisions - and played in their Under 19s side.

Born in Ireland, he is a right winger who can also operate on the left.

He spent three years at Hyde, initially as part of the youth se-up, then managed by our now first-team coach Mike Allcock, before moving up the first team.

Dapo had joined the Hyde Academy as a 16 year old from Sunday League side, Reddish Villa in July 2016.

He emerged as one of the key attacking threats for the Tigers' youth team, scoring 30 goals in one season.

He broke into the first team in 2018-19, making 13 NPL Premier Division appearances - plus one in the League Cup at home to Runcorn Linnets as we went through on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Runcorn Linnets have recruited 19-year-old midfielder Cain Noble on dual registration from Loughborough University FC of the United Counties League Premier Division.

The move sees manager Calum McIntyre renew acquaintance with another of his successful graduates from the Chester FC Academy.

A strong presence in the middle of the park, Cain came through the youth system at Chester to sign senior forms at the same time as Lloyd Marsh-Hughes who joined us just before the second Covid lockdown but has had to wait a month or so for the chance of his debut.

Cain had been bang on form for his university side, who are nicknamed the Scholars, before the month-long suspension of fixtures. October had brought him six goals from five appearances with one assist.

While making a name for himself, the central midfielder had scored for Chester on his senior debut at home to Maidstone in the National League.

He went on to appear in their National League North side and also netted in an Emirates FA Cup victory over City of Liverpool in September 2018.

Cain made 11 loan appearances for NPL Premier Division side Hyde United from August to October of last year.

On the back of 10 senior appearances for Chester with two goals, he in December last year joined his now Linnets team mate Iwan Murray in being loaned to another NPL top-flight club Atherton Collieries.

The Pitching In Northern Premier League and its two partner competitions at Steps Three and Four of the National League System have confirmed they "cannot sanction" fixtures while present Covid-19 restrictions are in place.

The three leagues have pledged to reconsider their position in line with planned reviews of tier allocations in England later this month.

But league bosses insist that the only things which will alter the stance of the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian leagues are a change in the tiers system and/or improved funding for their clubs.

In the meantime, the pause to the 2020-21 season, witnessed during the second national coronavirus lockdown, will continue until the first Government tiers review, on December 16th.

A full press release has this evening been issued by the three leagues, known collectively as the Trident Leagues. This follows yesterday's initial statement, reporting a majority vote by clubs in the three competitions to extend the stoppage.

The big issues are that clubs at Steps 3-6 who have been placed in Covid Tier 3 from Wednesday this week are not allowed under the latest restrictions to play home games in front of crowds and the financial support package they are being offered is unappealing because it is based largely on loans rather than grants.

It has now been revealed that 76% of Trident clubs voted in favour of the proposal not to resume and it could be into New Year before Runcorn Linnets first team is back in league action.

But we can continue our Buildbase FA Trophy campaign with the visit of Morpeth Town to The Millbank next Tuesday.

Tonight's Trident Leagues statement reads:

"Following the statement issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues yesterday, further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all 3 Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December. There were 224 Clubs voting across the 3 Leagues and of these 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention.  Broken down by League, 57 Clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 Clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.

The "Agree" vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.

It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December. It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to  fixtures with Clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.

The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for Steps 3-6 but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants. The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants. However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.

The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.

If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the Clubs as how best to finish the season. Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021. However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.

The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all Clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all."