Our fourth and final capture for this evening needs no introduction.

Josh Roberts was part of the senior squad for most of last season, having been promoted from our now dormant Under 21s side.

He has signed forms for 2023-24, joining Bayleigh Passant on the goalkeeping panel.

A frequent substitute in 2022-23, as understudy to Danny Taberner, Josh patiently awaited his chance, which came against Altrincham in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Josh, at 17 years old, was one of Linnets' youngest ever first-team signings when he stepped up to the NPL squad in September of last year.

He has been with his hometown club since the age of nine, also having spells with Heath Rangers JFC and Everton.

Josh previously represented Runcorn FA in the Cheshire Inter-District Youth Competition.

Have a good season, Josh!

A newcomer but already a familiar face for Runcorn Linnets fans, Levi Chiduku has featured prominently for Runcorn Linnets in pre-season.

A tricky winger who can attack at pace, Levi gained Pitching In Northern Premier League experience with Nantwich Town in 2022-23.

Playing seven times after joining them in October, he scored one goal.

Levi had joined the Dabbers from Ellesmere Port Town, having previously been part of the Development squad at EFL club Morecambe.

The player's back story has also included spells with Runcorn Town and Kendal Town.

Great to have you on board, Levi!

Former Everton defender Harry Hagan will enhance Linnets' defensive options as our second signing of the evening.

A lifelong Blues fan, Harry spent two years as a professional with the Toffees but first joined them as a 10-year-old Academy recruit.

On his release from Goodison Park in July, the player had a spell with Lower Breck in the North West Counties League.

He was then signed by Skelmersdale United, making 22 appearances for our then Pitching In NPL West rivals, who unfortunately lost their place in the division at the end of 2022-23, because of ground issues.

The now 20-year-old, Liverpool-born former England Under 16s international is strong and comfortable in possession.

Signing a two-year contract with Everton in July 2020, he played nine league matches for Everton Under-18s in 2020-21, also featuring in the Blues' FA Youth Cup third round victory over Wigan Athletic.

Harry made one appearance for Everton U23s in 2021-22, as a substitute at home to Leicester City.

Welcome, Harry!

Jacques Welsh has rejoined Runcorn Linnets less than a year after departing for Bootle.

The return of the 22-year-old midfielder is timely for Linnets as it offsets the loss of his former APEC Taxis Stadium team-mate Louis Hayes.

Jacques was a mainstay of the team which reached the Pitching In NPL West Play-off final of 2022 before moving on to the Bucks in September.

Jacques, who can also play in central defence, first joined Linnets in summer 2020 from Flint Town United.

He was previously on the books of Tranmere Rovers and the move to Berry Street Garage Stadium reunited him with then Bootle manager Steve McNulty, who the knew from their time together at Prenton Park.

Before moving to Tranmere, Jacques had been on the books of Bolton Wanderers.

He has already made 59 Linnets appearances, 50 of them starts, and we can now look forward to many more.

Welcome back, Jacques!

Media manager Sam Phillips got the lowdown from manager Billy Paynter on Tuesday's friendly. The boss felt there was plenty to take away from the 3-0 defeat to a very well-drilled Crewe Alexandra XI. Here's what he had to say:

SP: Our first pre-season outing at home to Crewe Billy, what did you make of the game?

BP: It was great to be back on home turf at the APEC Taxis Stadium and especially to see such a great turnout from our fans in pre-season. The match was a great challenge and test for our players against a Football League club.

SP: The game presented us with different challenges than what we have faced so far because of the standard of opposition?

BP: Crewe are known for being a very good footballing team and like to move the ball quickly in possession. They also pressed aggressively and with an intensity. So the challenge for our the players was to be organised out of possession, try to stop passes through the middle of us and try to be disciplined in our positions when Crewe were rotating.

SP: So how do you feel we dealt with this overall?

BP: There was plenty of movement from their midfielders to disrupt our midfield and bring them out of their positions to play the ball into forwards' feet. I felt we coped with this better in the second half and did it even for spells in the first half.

SP: What lessons can be learned from the game?

BP: The challenge for the players was once we had possession to be composed with the ball; be brave to get on it at times. We were too easy to give possession away when it was so hard to win it back.

This was highlighted from 32 minutes to 39 minutes, as we conceded the two goals from our mistakes in possession. As I said, it was a big test, particularly for our younger players, but I was really pleased with the displays of Adam Moseley and Josh Roberts.

SP: Thanks for joining us, Billy and we look forward to hearing your thoughts after Saturday's game at the APEC when we host National League North side, Southport.

Photo:

Peter Wylie gets to grips with the task on his return to the APEC Taxis Stadium after a season with City of Liverpool. (Courtesy of Tom Paul).