Runcorn Linnets: Home ties in FA Cup and FA Vase against AFC Emley and Staveley Miners Welfare from Northern Counties East League

Jul 1 2009 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN Linnets have been handed home ties in the two national FA competitions in which they will again take part next season.

Steve Wilkes’ side will entertain AFC Emley in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON on Saturday, August 15, and Staveley Miners Welfare in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase sponsored by Carlsberg on Saturday, September 5.

Formed in 2005, AFC Emley are a recently-formed fans’ club and launched in 2005 after the former Emley club had moved to play in Wakefield as Wakefield & Emley before later becoming Wakefield FC.

AFC Emley, based in the village of the same name near Huddersfield, play in the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League’s Division One. This is one division below the Vodkat League Premier Division Linnets in the non-league system.

The winners will face a preliminary-round trip to Bamber Bridge of UniBond League Division One North – one of Linnets boss Wilkes’ former clubs as a player – on Saturday, August 29.

Maine Road, Alsager Town, Ramsbottom United or Cheadle will be the first-qualifying round opposition should Linnets get through the first two ties.

Vodkat Division One side Daisy Hill await the winners of the Vase tie between Linnets and Staveley MW at their New Sirs ground on Saturday, September 19.

Staveley MV of Chesterfield are another NCEL Division One club with a short history, dating back to 1989-90. They finished fourth last season to AFC Emley’s eighth.