Linnets look to maintain promotion push
Runcorn Linnets v Bootle
Pitching In Northern Premier League West
Monday, April 6th 2026 (ko 3pm)
APEC Taxis Stadium, Stockham Lane, Murdishaw, Runcorn
Preview
A second Bank Holiday fixture of the season against Bootle awaits with a lot hinging on the result as both teams fight for a play-off berth.
It means we can anticipate a more entertaining contest than the 0-0 on Boxing Day at Delta Taxis Stadium.
It was one of three goalless games in which we have involved in 2025-26 - the only 0-0 draw at APEC Taxis Stadium coming in mid-February against Mossley.
This is our penultimate NPL home game with only Stalybridge Celtic to follow on Saturday week (April 18th).
Also still to come, however, is the Lverpool Senior Cup semi-final derby at the APEC against Runcorn Town on Tuesday, April 14th.
History trail
There have been five home league meetings with Bootle since they joined us in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.
Honours have been even with two wins apiece and one draw.
The Bucks have won this fixture in two of the last three seasons, in 2024-25 triumphing 3-1.
Naim Arsan had cancelled out Ben Hodkinson's Bootle opener but the visitors claimed the points with further goals from Linnets old boy Michael Simpson and Courtney Duffus.
Duffus was responsible for the own goal, which gave us a 1-0 verdict two seasons ago.
Our other NPL victory over Bootle at the APEC came in March 2022, when two goals from Ryan Brooke set up a 3-1 victory,
It was sealed in injury time by a Dapo Olarewaju strike, Tom Peterson being Bootle's scorer.
Form guide
Seventh-placed Bootle come to Murdishaw after a 3-0 win at second-placed Avro in their last away match.
This turned the tile race firmly in favour of Bury after the Shakers' victory by the same scoreline at APEC Taxis Stadium.
The Bucks have an impressive away record with 10 wins and five draws from 18 matches so far.
The biggest win on their travels was 5-1 at Mossley and their heaviest loss a 6-0 defeat at Chasetown, both in November.
Their 35-point away haul compares favourably with the 29 gained from 20 matches at home, where they defeated Darlaston 3-0 yesterday.
The defeat by Bury was fourth-placed Linnets' third home defeat of a campaign, which has yielded 12 victories and four draws at Stockham Lane.
It was our first home setback since New Year's Day.
Player landmark
Ryan Brooke's next appearance will be the 200th of his Linnets career.
Runcorn's attacking talisman will be the seventh player to reach the double century.
Two others are in the current squad. Defender Peter Wylie achieving the feat at the end of last season - he is closing in on 250 - and midfielder Lewis Doyle against Wythenshawe Town three games ago.
Brookey will also join his manager Michael Ellison in the elite club.
His 199 appearances to date (including 158 starts) have come in two spells, separated by a brief interlude at Warrington Rylands.
There is the matter of 83 goals - an all-time club record - to also factor into the impact he has made at Linnets since his debut on September 9th 2020 - in a 2-0 Emirates FA Cup preliminary round victory over visiting Albion Sports.
Supporters Club's Easter Draw
Runcorn Supporters Club will be drawing winning tickets in their Easter raffle after the game. They are £1 strip and there is still a chance to purchase.
Welcome back Mersey Weaver Scouts!
Mersey Weaver Scouts make a welcome return to our ground for the Easter fixture as they raise funds for next year's World Jamboree in Poland.
The group last visited 14 months ago, when they were preparing for the corresponding 2025 event in Switzerland.
We trust that fans will support the Scouts' efforts by visiting their stall, where a range of treats will be on offer.
How to get here
By car - postcode for APEC Taxis Stadium is WA7 6GJ.
By train - Runcorn is served by two railway stations, Runcorn (Liverpool Lime Street to London line, also with services from Chester and Birmingham) and Runcorn East (trains to and from Manchester, Chester and North Wales). Both stations are served by buses running close to the stadium, although Runcorn High Street bus station (10-minute walk) offers a wider choice for passengers using Runcorn Railway Station.
By bus - the ground is a short walk from the Runcorn Busway - alight at Orniston Bollingbroke Academy (Halton High School) and follow pathway on the opposite side of the busway from the school to Murdishaw Avenue and cross into Stockham Lane. Many local services (including Shopping City circular) run on the busway as well as those from Widnes, Warrington, Liverpool and Chester.
A local taxi service is provided by APEC Taxis (tel 01928 575757).
Admission
Adult - £11
(£2 discount for Halton Leisure Card holders)
Concession (Over 65s) - £8
Juniors (18 and under) - £2
There is a large free car park on site