Men's Team

There's only one place I could start this week's update and that's with the great win in the FA Cup against Bamber Bridge. I felt we dominated the game from start to finish and were deserved winners. It was great to see our heads didn't drop after the Bamber Bridge equaliser as we almost immediately retook the lead after great work down the right from Dapo forced an own goal. That was after a great headed goal to open the scoring from Carl Spellman.

I think the highlight of the game was the crowd's reaction to local lad Eden Gumbs scoring to make the game 3-1. The noise that greeted the players as they left the pitch gave me goosebumps and I can't wait to hear more of it as the season progresses. It was also great to see Alex Downes on the pitch before the game after his horrific injury in the previous round against Liversedge.

As I'm sure you all know by now, we have been drawn at home in the 3rd qualifying round, this time against Gateshead. This is huge game for us and with the crowds we've been getting this season, home advantage should be massive for us. Gateshead were the last away team at Canal Street so it's sure to be a nostalgic day for those of us over 30.

Linnets Ladies

The Ladies played Altrincham at the APEC Taxis Stadium on Sunday and put in a great performance to win 6-3 and pick up their first 3 points of the new league season. With that result and following the FA Cup win I really feel like Toddy is starting to get the best out of his players and I think we will go from strength to strength.

We are away for all our October games and don't play at the APEC Taxis Stadium again until 7th November when we face Chester.

Development Team

Gibbo's team played a very talented Macclesfield U21 team on Saturday and put on a very good display before eventually succumbing to a 3-1 defeat. The lads were in the game for the full 90 minutes, only conceding the 3rd after going all out for an equaliser, they also hit the twice along the way.

It's been a difficult start to the season for Gibbo and his players, with late recruitment, having players missing for various reasons and having games postponed due to COVID but there were really good signs on Sunday that he has put together a really talented group.

We are at home again at the APEC Taxis Stadium on Sunday 26th against St Michael's U21s with a 12pm kick off. It would be great to see you all down there to support the young Linnets.

Events

We hosted our first fundraising event on Saturday after our win against Bamber Bridge when we hosted a Race Night and it was a great success. It was good to see so many fans return after the game and that the players stayed after the game. A massive thank you to Martin Holding for hosting the event, our Commercial Team for arranging it, Club President Alan Jones for managing the bar and all our race sponsors and horse owners/jockeys.

Our next event will be a Halloween party in The Clubhouse on Saturday 30th October with the doors opening at 7pm. Fancy dress is very much encouraged, there will be hot food provided, games played, prizes awarded for best costumes and of course our bar will be open until 11pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and I'm sure it will be a fun filled evening for all the family. Tickets will be available from the Club Shop, at the programmes table outside the main turnstile and online at the link below.

If you have any questions regarding any of our events please speak to our Events Manager Grace Mantova.

Runcorn Linnets Events

Thank you all for reading.

Dave Jones

Runcorn Linnets FC - Chairman