A return to league action

We are at that stage of the season where it is league action one week and cup football the next and this Saturday the focus will be on obtaining league points after an interlude of knock-out football.

Runcorn Linnets will be Reds’ BetVictor North West Division opponents at Borough Park (3pm) and, after holding Danny Grainger’s side to a 1-1 draw already this season, the ‘green and yellows’ will be hoping to take more points off Reds on their first visit to west Cumbria.

They probably had the better of the draw at the Millbank Stadium last month taking the lead via a fine Connor McCarthy goal and shading the first half. Reds recovered to salvage a point after a better second half showing, equalising with a close range Sam Smith finish following a corner.

The Linnets are currently 12th in the table, thirteen points behind Reds having played a game fewer. Their eleven points have been obtained via two wins and a draw at home and three draws on the road.

They haven’t won away in the league to date, but recorded an impressive 3-0 FA Trophy victory at Trafford last week.

Brad Carroll and Gari Rowntree remain on the injured list and will not feature while Brad Hubbold and Sam Smith are doubts.

Efforts have been made to boost numbers this week and one new face could be included after training with the squad.