MATCH PREVIEW: Tough test against in-form Linnets

Reds return to NPL West Division action on Saturday and, for the second time this season, face Runcorn Linnets at Borough Park (3pm).

Dave Wild’s side won here in the FA Trophy five weeks ago and are the in-form side in the league at the moment.

They have won two further matches in the Trophy since their 2-1 success here but are also emerging as Macclesfield’s nearest challengers and are currently second in the table with 17 points from five wins and two draws.

Reds are currently in seventh position, three points behind.

Linnets, who won 2-0 at Newcastle Town on Tuesday, are unbeaten in seven in all competitions and that impressive run includes six wins and one draw.

Reds had gone in front in the previous meeting with Reuben Jerome on target but second half goals from Zack Clarke and Jamie Rainford saw Linnets progress at our expense.

Jamie Hooper played for Reds in the September encounter but will be in the green and yellow of Runcorn this weekend following his switch to a club nearer home.  Runcorn have also added former player, Ryan Brooke, to a talented squad with last season’s top scorer returning to the club after a spell with Warrington Rylands.

Danny Grainger will again be shuffling the starting XI with the unavailability and long- term injuries to several players still hampering his selection.

Last season, Linnets won in Cumbria and we recorded our first ever win on Runcorn soil in the return.