Millbank set to host two finals

RUNCORN LINNETS have accepted an invitation from the Cheshire County FA to host this season’s Senior Cup final on Wednesday, May 2.

It is an honour for Linnets to have been chosen to stage the county’s showpiece game, which will this season feature a rare appearance from a Hallmark Security League team.

Stockport Town are only the second North West Counties League outfit to reach this stage of the competition and the first since 2004 when Woodley Sports defeated Witton Albion 2-1 at Altrincham.

Town’s opponents will be Nantwich Town of the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division – no strangers to the Millbank Linnets Stadium, having edged Linnets 2-1 in last season’s CSC first round tie at Murdishaw.

This will be a first visit to the MLS for Stockport Town, although Linnets encountered the Lions earlier this season at Stockport Sports Village, suffering a rare loss – 2-1 – in The Macron Cup.

Ex-Linnets striker Ben Halfacre notched both Stockport goals that night and by scoring in each round, he has also been instrumental in a County Cup run which has seen his club defeat Cammell Laird 4-0, Hyde United 4-3 on penalties (after a 1-1 scoreline in 90 minutes) and Winsford United 2-1in the semis.

Nantwich Town’s route to the final was a 2-0 win over Sandbach Town, a 2-1 home defeat of Linnets’ first round conquerors Crewe in round two and a 4-3 semi-final victory over Stalybridge Celtic at Weaver Stadium.

Runcorn has never hosted a one-off final of the competition, although Canal Street was a venue for the final between Runcorn AFC and Crewe in 1967-68 when Linnets triumphed in a two-legged affair.

The final will kick-off at 7.45pm. Admission is £10 (adults) and £7 (OAP and U16s). Children will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult. A programme priced £2 will also be on sale. Linnets will also host the Hallmark Security League’s LWC Drinks First Division Cup Final on May 9 when Cammell Laird 1907 play Prestwich Heys. The game kicks-off at 7.45pm.