Ellison – Good habits needed
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RUNCORN LINNETS dropped points again on Saturday as they drew 2-2 with Abbey Hey following on from a midweek defeat against AFC Liverpool last Wednesday night.
Michael Ellison’s side dominated Saturday’s match and held a 2-0 lead at the break but conceded two sloppy goals and missed a penalty and in the end had to settle for a draw, which may prove costly.
Linnets are battling it out near the top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table with a group of five teams all still in with a chance of winning the title.
Cross-town rivals Runcorn Town currently lead the way and this latest result came as another blow for Linnets manager Ellison.
“It was disappointing to drop points,” he said.
“We dominated most of the game and they barely had two shots on goal yet we managed to concede two.
“We played well, though, and we had a good reaction from the defeat on Wednesday so I’m happy about that. We missed the penalty at a crucial time when we could have gone 3-1 up and that might have changed the game.
“It could have put us out of sight but we didn’t take that chance. Their keeper was excellent and made some really good saves in the end and probably kept them in the game.
“We just need to start getting into good habits again.”
Linnets are eager to bounce back and not drop any points between now and Christmas so Ellison arranged a midweek friendly to keep his players in shape.
The boss explained his side often take part in competitive training fixtures whenever they don’t have a midweek game, in order to keep up the intensity.
“We played a friendly against Morecambe U21s [on Tuesday] and it was really good. We like to get a friendly match in whenever we can during the week,” said Ellison.
“It gives the lads a tough test if we don’t have any games and it gives them a competitive situa- tion and some intense training.”
Runcorn Linnets have now turned their attentions to Saturday’s home fixture against New Mills who are currently in the relegation zone.
“I’m expecting another tough test from New Mills because no games in this league are easy. They’re fighting at the bottom,” said Ellison.
“Like most teams in this division, they are hard-working and I’m sure they will make it tough for us on Saturday in that sense.”
Linnets may be given a boost at the weekend if results go their way as leaders Runcorn Town are visiting 1874 Northwich who are currently in fifth place.
Ellison’s side sit just one point above them and in third place but he insists his team can only worry about their job.
“Hopefully the top sides can take some points off each other but we just have to concentrate on our jobs and not worry about them,” he said.
“We can only do what we can. We can’t influence their results or games in any way so it’s up to us to get ourselves points.
“We’ve got most of our squad back now, with players returning to training so we should have plenty available for Saturday and that’s good.”
This Saturday’s match against New Mills at the Millbank Linnets Stadium kicks-off at 3pm. Linnets are without a midweek game next week. ● RUNCORN Linnets have named central defender Aaron Morris as their first-team Player of the Month for November.
The 21-year-old student, a close-season signing from St Helens Town, is Linnets’ only ever-present in 2016-17 and with injuries, suspension and unavailability, he has coped admirably with defensive changes all round him in the last two months.
Linnets manager Michael Ellison said: “I think Aaron is becoming one of if not the best centre backs in the league.
“Since the Lairds game, where we decided to put him in there and give him a run in the side, he has matured week by week and his game has come on leaps and bounds.
“He’s been top drawer; he’s always been able to play but his defensive game has improved tenfold and he will only get better with games.”