Following further discussions with Halton Borough Council over Covid-related safety issues, Runcorn Linnets are now able to confirm that our FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round home tie against Marine this Saturday (October 3rd) will be played, as drawn, at The Millbank Linnets Stadium, ko 3pm.

The club shares the major concerns of the council and other parties involved in meetings and talks, which have taken place over the last 10 days, and is fully committed to ensuring that the stadium will be ready and fully prepared to host the match with all necessary plans and precautions in place.

Runcorn Linnets have at the request of the council agreed to a number of measures, additional to those already implemented under Government restrictions and current Football Association guidelines. These are being adopted with a view to further mitigating the risk of  virus transmission in the community.

The extra measures include the mandatory wearing of face coverings in all areas of the ground for all spectators (except those who are exempt for medical reasons) and phased access to the ground.

Admission will be by ticket only with a crowd limit of 400 spectators.

Ticket holders will be allocated specific time slots to minimise congestion on entry

You can visit our COVID page for further information.

It is imperative that all spectators attending familiarise themselves with this important information and comply with all safety requests and instructions at the venue on match day.

Those who are unable to comply with these reasonable requests should refrain from purchasing tickets.

Priority purchase will be given to Runcorn Linnets FC Trust members, who will again be contacted through the eMail addresses they provided on application.

Remaining tickets will be on sale from our website at 7pm on Wednesday, September 30th.

Marine have received an allocation of tickets, which will be made available to their fans separately.

Craig Lindfield put the Linnets ahead in the 15th minute with a cracking strike from inside the area. In the 24th minute following a controlled shot Ryan Brooke increased the Linnets' lead. Kane Hickman received a Yellow Card for Mossley AFC in the 48th minute. Mossley AFC closed the gap in the 50th minute with a goal from Matty Waller. In the 52nd minute the Linnets substituted Craig Lindfield for Adam Barthram. In the 55th minute Mossley AFC substituted Keaton Mulvey for Jes Uchegabulem. In the 64th minute Mossley AFC substituted Harry Pratt for Dylan Fitzgerald. In the 65th minute the Linnets substituted Iwan Murray for Joe Nolan. In the 67th minute the Linnets substituted Ryan Brooke for Kurt Sherlock. Ben Wharton received a Yellow Card for The Linnets in the 69th minute. In the 72nd minute Mossley AFC substituted Kane Hickman for Ryan Shenton. Jes Uchegabulem received a Red Card for Mossley AFC in the 76th minute. Kurt Sherlock received a Yellow Card for The Linnets in the 79th minute. Joe Nolan received a Yellow Card for The Linnets in the 84th minute.

Match Report

The club has been in discussions throughout the week with Halton Borough Council and other relevant parties, in light of the updated Covid-19 restrictions announced for Halton this week - and  particularly about the implications for Runcorn Linnets, following a sharp rise in cases within the borough over recent days.

Agreement has been made between all parties, including Mossley FC and the Pitching In Northern Premier League, for Tuesday evening's scheduled North West Division fixture to be reversed.

Instead of playing at The Millbank Linnets Stadium, we will therefore now play our away league fixture at Mossley on Tuesday, ko 7.45pm.

This creates more time for ongoing discussions to be concluded and for Runcorn Linnets to  implement any additional measures required.

The switch will mean us hosting Mossley later in the season, the NPL having already rearranged the home game for April 10th (the intended date for our visit to Seel Park).

Our primary concern is, and always will be, the safety and well-being of everyone associated with the club and the community - concerns that are obviously shared by Halton Borough Council and other partners involved in the discussions.

We will provide further updates on the situation, including news on other upcoming home fixtures, after further dialogue early next week.

In the meantime, we thank Halton Council, Cheshire Police, Public Health England, the Pitching In NPL and our colleagues from Mossley for their guidance, help and consideration.

Refunds to those fans, who have already bought tickets for the Mossley home game, are being arranged and processed.

Craig Lindfield scored in the 6th minute. In the 57th minute Pontefract Collieries FC substituted Sam Cable for Nathan Modeste. In the 61st minute the Linnets substituted Ryan Brooke for Tom Ruffer. In the 64th minute Pontefract Collieries FC substituted Fabian Bailey for Matty Nebard. In the 83rd minute the Linnets substituted Louis Hayes for Joe Nolan. Pontefract Collieries FC equalised in the 86th minute. In the 90th minute the Linnets substituted Craig Lindfield for Stuart Crilly.

Match Report

Runcorn Linnets have signed Paddy Wharton after securing the 20-year-old goalkeeper's release from Warrington Town.

Paddy leaves the Yellows without playing competitively for them, having signed in August 2020.

Paddy came to prominence in the youth set-up at Tranmere Rovers, helping them to an FA Youth Cup third round tie against Everton.

He signed his first professional contract while still a scholar and his first full campaign as a professional in 2018-19.

Paddy made one appearance for Tranmere in the EFL Trophy, at Shrewsbury Town in October 2018.

Loan spells at Colwyn Bay, Marine and Stalybridge Celtic gave him a taste of senior non-league football.

Since his release from Prenton Park, Paddy has appeared for FC United of Manchester and Atherton Collieries.

Paddy is eligible for FA Cup selection today.

Welcome, Paddy!