Linnets soaring

Sep 25 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN Linnets followed up Sunday’s 4-0 FA Vase home defeat of Bacup Borough by winning 3-1 at Winsford United on Tuesday in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Both were impressive victories but the margin at Barton Stadium could have been much wider.

First-half goals from Rob Whyte, taking his chance in attack after operating wide left, and right back Steve Pickup had been scant reward for Linnets’ domination.

Sub Darren Connell (62) headed Winsford back into contention from their only genuine chance.

But Whyte turned superbly for his second to finish the job five minutes from time.

The goal was, like his first, set up by Michael Morrison, who had been lucky to escape with a caution for a two-footed lunge on keeper Ian Lowe just before the half hour.

Home centre half Danny Webber could later have walked for clattering Morrison from behind before finally being booked for a foul on the Linnets forward.

Runcorn, now in the Senior Cup quarter-finals, will entertain Woodley Sports or Blue Square Premier outfit Northwich Victoria, who meet tonight at Woodley.

Bacup had come into the weekend’s Vase game after a shock FA Cup defeat of Cammell Laird but were swept aside.

Influential Michael Young scored the first and last – in between forcing Borough defender Ryan Marley into conceding an own goal.

Both sides were missing their regular No 1 but without Ross Boyd’s early saves for Linnets it could have been a different story.

Ex-Bury veteran keeper Lee Bracey could do nothing to stop Runcorn – Ged Courtney also on target with the third as Steve Wilkes’s men booked a trip to Maine Road on Saturday, October 4 in the first round proper of the Wembley competition.

Wilkes said: “Confidence is flowing and we are creating chances.

“We conceded a goal at Winsford and we were all a bit upset about that after two clean sheets. But it was a joy to watch at times in the first half.”

Wilkes had just two fit subs on Tuesday – the manager without 11 for various reasons.

For Saturday’s maiden trip to fellow in-form AFC Fylde in the Vodkat League Premier Division, player-assistant manager Robbie Holcroft (holiday) plus Courtney and Lee Morris, ruled out of midweek action by working commitments, rejoin the squad.

But defender Paddy O’Driscoll won’t be available – he is getting married tomorrow.

Wilkes might have kept an unchanged team but Brian Walsh is feared to have broken a foot at Winsford.

Already sidelined, team captain Steve Cunningham faces eight weeks out after a shin injury turned septic on holiday.

Wilkes, who this week signed defender and one-time Morecambe skipper Andrew Leigh, 19, from Kendal Town, had also been considering strengthening in midfield.

Nehru McKenzie is in the middle of a lengthy suspension from amateur football last season.

But the form of Stuart Telfer, superb since taking over the skipper’s armband, and a revitalised Damien Morrison – plus Joe McKane’s welcome return to the fold – has convinced the manager he doesn’t need to worry.

Linnets welcome league rivals Congleton Town in the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday.