Classic derby memories - Christmas 2014
The home Boxing Day derby 12 years ago saw Freddie Potter become an instant hero with Linnets fans as he headed the winner.
It was in a 2-1 victory - a popular scoreline in home matches against Town with three Linnets successes coming that way.
Potter's late decider was the first of 75 across 139 appearances, 100 of them starts, from a player nicknamed The Wizard by fans not just because of his surname but also the magic he created on the pitch.
This game was also memorable for the weather, which held off just enough for it to be completed although soon afterwards the town was covered by a blanket of snow.
December 26th 2014 - Runcorn Linnets 2 Runcorn Town 1
Once again, adverse weather conditions made the now traditional Boxing Day Runcorn derby fixture in the North West Counties Football League a difficult affair, as Linnets hosted Town at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.
Heavy and persistent rain coupled with sporadic bursts of wind meant that neither side were again able to show their true capabilities.
Linnets edged out Town by the odd goal in three thanks to a memorable debut header from Freddie Potter, a last minute festive signing from Cammell Laird.
Despite the rain, the pitch was in really good condition and held up well, allowing the game to reach its natural conclusion - fortunately so.
Less than 15 minutes after the referee had called proceedings to a halt, the Millbank pitch was covered in a substantial blanket of snow.
The teams entered the field flanked by mascots from their respective junior sides.
Linnets were missing probable selections Michael Ellison, Michael Burke, Kyle Hamid, Warren Bellew, Mark Houghton and Rob White.
With persistent injuries also troubling other available key men, Joey Dunn and the Linnets administration staff had an extremely busy Christmas Day, securing Potter and goalkeeper Ryan Swift.
The latter joined on loan from Witton Albion, with both signings taking a place on the bench.
Linnets' starting eleven had a particularly attacking flavour, with Adam Wade, Franny Smith, Chris Lomax, Kev Towey, Matt Atherton and Ross McDowell all playing. Michael Duffy and Martin Crowder gave further attacking options from full back, while River Humphreys returned to partner Kyle Armstrong in the centre of defence.
Richie Mottram continued his ever-present season in goal, but as proceedings got under way the manager's decision to draft in and select goalkeeping cover proved to have been extremely astute.
Both teams started with intent, with Lomax driving and shooting for the Linnets and a strong header goalward from Tom Spearritt for Town. Ross McDowell looked lively and got forward to put in a cross that was just too deep, while slack defending allowed Scott Beckett in for the visitors, but again the chance came to nothing.
McDowell then had a great chance after impressive build-up from Duffy and skipper-for-the-day Kev Towey, but somehow the striker spurned Duffy's pinpoint cross.
After 10 minutes, substitute 'keeper Ryan Swift replaced the injured Mottram, his first action was to save from the Town skipper, however Paul Shanley followed up his own shot to give Town a lead and stun the MLS into silence.
Mark Keddie hacked down Towey to receive the first caution of the game as the Linnets looked to reply immediately. A good Chris Lomax cross was headed clear, and a quick free-kick from Smith saw Crowder's shot sneak wide.
On 37 minutes, the home side drew level. Clever play from Adam Wade found Kev Towey, who once again came up with a superlative derby goal, shooting with precision and power beyond the helpless Stuart Plant, in off the cross bar - bringing a mixture of joy and relief to the majority of the Boxing Day crowd of 667.
Town's Beckett and Linnets' Smith followed Keddie into the referee's notebook, as half-time arrived after a decent half with both sides probably glad of the chance to recuperate and regroup.
Town edged the opening proceedings of the second period, however sloppy passing from both sides in difficult conditions meant that clear-cut chances were at more of a premium.
Towey fired a free-kick into the wall, Armstrong unable to convert the rebound, and the ubiquitous Towey had the best chance of the half thus far, striking just wide from inside the box.
Poor defending allowed Town's Michael Koral to fire home what he and his team-mates had thought was a second-time lead, only to be thwarted by an assistant's flag for offside.
Potter replaced Atherton to become the second Linnets debutant of the afternoon, as Town still looked the more likely, more often than not quicker side to the second ball.
Potter's first action in Yellow and Green was to fire over the bar after decent build-up, and then the lively sub headed straight at Plant as the Linnets regained and kept the ascendancy.
After 75 minutes Town's Luke Gibson was cautioned for a foul on Chris Lomax, and when the ensuing free-kick was fired in Freddie Potter stooped to head home powerfully, sending The Hallmark Stand into raptures as the league leaders celebrated both on and off the pitch.
Kurt Sherlock replaced the extremely busy Ross McDowell as conditions became equally difficult with rain turning to sleet and eventually snow.
Linnets hit a post for the second time in the half, with Plant also saving well - both he and the home 'keeper Swift making excellent saves to ensure the game went to the wire.
Both teams still tried to attack, albeit with the Linnets using delaying tactics by taking the ball into the corners when possible. The final chance fell to Martin Crowder, who fired a free-kick inches over, and the referee brought proceedings to a halt.
Both teams were given a warm reception from the large crowd - the biggest in the NWCL this season being most appreciative of the efforts of both sets of players in extremely cold and wet conditions.
The spoils went to Linnets this time in a really close, hard-fought game played in a tremendous spirit,
The three points ensured that the men in yellow and green remain 12 points clear on top of the table as the calendar year comes to a close.
Linnets: Mottram (Swift), Duffy, Crowder, Humphreys, Armstrong, Wade, Smith, Lomax, Towey (capt), McDowell (Sherlock), Atherton (Potter). Subs not used: Austin, Thompson.
Town: Plant, McKillop (Haughton), Lester, Dykes, Gibson, Spearitt, Shanley (capt), Keddie, Thomson, Beckett (Potter), Koral. Subs not used: Breen, Roberts, Grant.
Be sure to confirm your attendance for Tuesday's Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final - it's a must see game for fans of both clubs and it's ticket-only. Buy your ticket here
