Easter 2016 - Lawty scores again but Ello is the winner!!
Linnets stalwarts Kyle Hamid (left), Mark Houghton and Michael Ellison celebrate as Linnets snatch another victory in the Runcorn derby
We fast forward to Easter 2016 for the final part of our retrospective focus on classic Runcorn derbies.
The match 10 years ago saw our now management team on different sides with Ello the winning captain against a visiting team skippered by a future Linnets favourite Paul Shanley.
This was despite Lawty making history by scoring Town's goal - becoming the first player to score for both clubs in El Classicorn contests.
Michael Simpson and Matt Atherton scored our goals either side of Chris's equaliser.
Tomorrow we will be previewing Tuesday's big home clash in the Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final.
Tickets have been selling well and will continue to be available as the preferred way to gain admission. You can purchase here
But cash and card payments will now be available to supporters at the turnstile for those making a last-minute decision to attend.
Our record appeaeances holder Matt Atherton (extreme right) scored the winner.
March 28th 2016, Runcorn Linnets 2 Runcorn Town 1
Linnets maintained their recent stranglehold on Runcorn derbies in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division with a close and hard-fought victory.
A great Millbank Linnets Stadium crowd of almost 600 saw a typical and passionate Easter Monday game, with limited amounts of flair but high-octane, end-to-end desire – an encounter, which was made all the more enjoyable by some sensible, no-nonsense refereeing from Mr M Woods.
Linnets boss Joey Dunn recalled Antony Hickey to the starting line-up to replace an "under-the-weather" Ryan Cox, while Town supremo Simon Burton included three ex-Linnets in his 11 - Chris Lawton, Chris Dykes, and Billy Webb.
Linnets who started brightly as Hickey back-heeled in for Matt Atherton, whose effort was headed behind with the dangerous corner that resulted then being headed clear.
Kieron Brislen's deep cross eluded Freddie Potter, and another corner was headed over by River Humphreys.
Mike White's cross was next to be put behind for yet another corner, as Town 'keeper Daniel Lever struggled to clear his lines, kicking into a strong wind.
Town then found their rhythm, and set about attacking the Hallmark Stand End. A free-kick from the visitors was cleared by River Humphreys, and it was Humphreys who again thwarted the first Town corner.
First goal scorer Michael Simpson (now with our rivals Bootle) looks on as Freddie Potter goes for goal.
The ensuing cross was pawed away by Linnets stopper Dean Porter, as Town maintained pressure. The only Linnets chance in this spell fell to Mike White, who blazed over from distance.
The best opportunity of the game up to this point fell to Town's Ablewhite, who headed straight at Porter.
Michael Simpson crossed for Freddie Potter for Linnets, but he headed off target, and Atherton flicked on expertly for Potter, but the pass for Kyle Hamid was over-hit.
The referee then waved away a home penalty shout after a strong challenge on Brislen but The Linnets almost took the lead when Hickey hit a post, the ball somehow staying out after coming agonisingly back across goal.
At the other end, Town went close with a curling shot after Porter had punched away an effort from James McShane.
The breakthrough came just after a frenetic half hour. Simpson played an exquisite one-two with Potter and steered home his volley past a helpless Lever to give the home side the lead.
This galvanised Linnets, who finished the half strongly. Brislen crossed but Potter couldn't quite get on the end, and Simpson drove forward well but Mark Houghton shot just wide.
The final chance of an action-packed half came from a Matt Atherton free-kick, saved well by Lever.
Town came out for the second period looking resolute, equalising soon after the restart.
With Linnets failing to deal with a corner, Town centre half Chris Lawton headed home to become the first player to score for both teams in the Runcorn derby.
He had scored the Linnets' winner on the same ground in April 2012.
Linnets had chances to strike back quickly, Lever saving from Hickey after a great ball from Kieron Brislen, and Brislen was again the provider as he crossed for Potter to head over.
There was more Linnets pressure from a corner, and then Hickey headed down for Humphreys, who saw his shot blocked.
At the other end came a major let-off for the men in yellow and green, as Town couldn't quite find a finishing touch on a ball that bobbled around the goal line.
This aside, the better chances were falling for Linnets in a half in danger of falling flat as some of the tempo slipped out of the game.
Hickey headed wide from a looping cross, and Simpson had a shot saved after a long free-kick. Midfield anchor man Michael Ellison was sacrificed as Joey Dunn introduced attack-minded Kurt Sherlock to try to introduce extra flair and invention.
However, Town almost regained the lead from a corner, this time the chance was headed straight at Porter. Minutes later, Linnets thought they had had the edge again.
Kyle Hamid played a looped pass into Hickey, who blasted his shot into the side netting.
But on 85 minutes, Linnets gained a free-kick, which was delivered from the right with pin-point accuracy by Sherlock, and Matt Atherton rose highest to head home majestically - sparking scenes of jubilation among the majority of the crowd.
It was a fitting contribution from a player, who has played more times for his club than any other, and indeed had featured in the first ever Runcorn derby back in 2011.
Athers has now scored 58 times in Linnets colours but this was only his second goal of a season which has seen a conversion for him from left winger to full back.
Despite the chaotic scenes of celebration, Linnets still had five or so minutes to see the game out, and Town had one more chance that Porter saved with relative comfort.
There was an exchange between Potter and Lawton that the referee diffused quickly, and the eleventh Runcorn derby was brought to a close without a single card being shown - testament to decent playing spirit and good refereeing, which combined to make this an enthralling game.
Town may have been aggrieved to come away without a point for their spirited efforts, while Joey Dunn will once again be thankful that goals can come from anywhere on the pitch for Linnets.
When the forwards can't seem to find the target, there are still clinical finishes from less likely sources. All members of the current back four have now scored in the last fortnight or so.
In the race for promotion, this was a highly-satisfying Easter period for Joey's men, with two more tricky encounters negotiated well.
Linnets: Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matt Atherton, River Humphreys, Michael White, Michael Ellison (C), Michael Simpson, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Antony Hickey, Mark Houghton. Sub: Kurt Sherlock. Subs Not Used: Tom Hardwick, Kyle Armstrong, Franny Smith, Taylor Kennerley.
Town: Daniel Lever, Chris Lester, Sean Kelly, Chris Dykes, Chris Lawton, Danny Toone, Paul Shanley (C), Gareth Grant, Robert Abelwhite, James McShane, Billy Webb. Subs: Daley Woods, Declan Gregson, Jack Irlam, Samuel Houghton, Tom Spearritt.
Attendance: 581.
Michael White and Kieron Brislen No.2) in action for Linnets.