Saturday's Opponents: Runcorn Linnets

Yet another "yet another home match", but one with a bit of added spice as Runcorn Linnets come to Park Road for the Third Round of the League Challenge Cup (we'll forget the weather for one minute and assume it's game on!).

Runcorn Linnets were as new to the NWCFL scene as Polardin and I were last season and were the opponents for one of our first away-days with Cheadle: a 2-3 defeat at Wincham Park and an enjoyable evening as Runcorn were honest, friendly hosts.

They took another three points from Cheadle at Park Road on their way to clinching promotion via 2nd place (behind Winsford United).

A second successive promotion looks unlikely as we currently find The Linnets in 12th place in Division 1. They also come to Park Road sporting a new manager; Steve Wilkes - who impressively took Padiham to a 3rd place finish in Div 2 last season - is the man who takes over from Robbie Holcroft, caretaker since new year.

The form book gives Cheadle a glimmer of hope. Runcorn make the visit on the back of three successive league defeats in which they have shipped in ten goals and have only scored two in reply. Mr Wilkes' first task will be to arrest that, surely.

As for Cheadle...who knows. As I have said countless times on this blog, we are capable of beating anybody "on our day". Effort hasn't been wanting of late - against decent Div 1 opposition on Saturday, we could do with a bit of luck and all.

Come on Cheadle!...and another welcome to Park Road for the regular Linnets that read this blog!