Ellison delighted as Linnets strike back to go top
● MICHAEL ELLISON never doubted his players were good enough to compete in the Evo-Stik League West after Runcorn Linnets continued their impressive start to the campaign in midweek.
Linnets suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at Atherton Collieries last Saturday but recorded their sixth win in eight league games following a dramatic victory over Mossley on Tuesday night.
Ellison’s side trailed 1-0 with 15 minutes remaining before Freddie Potter levelled the score with Mossley’s Andy Keogh dismissed in the build-up to the goal.
Then, four minutes into stoppage-time, Potter netted a penalty which handed them the spoils.
“We’re pleased,” Ellison said after his side went top of the division.
“If you’d have asked me before the season started would I have taken six wins out of eight I’d have bit your hand off. We’re pleased with how things are going.
“I think the important thing has been keeping the nucleus of the squad together. We always believed we had Evo-Stik players in the side last season and the season before. We knew the players were capable. If you keep that nucleus and add one or two I think that’s the main reason.
“A lot of the lads in the squad have played at Evo-Stik or higher so we knew we were more than capable to compete at this level and it seems to be that way at the minute.”
Linnets defeated Mossley in Manchester on Tuesday evening which handed them their third victory on the road this season.
Despite it being their maiden campaign in the Evo-Stik West, however, Runcorn have won all three of their home fixtures at the Millbank so far and Ellison appreciates the support his side are given each week.
He added: “The home form is key in any league season, especially with the fan-base we’ve got.
“We’re either first or second in the attendance and we’re hoping to build on that. To come up a league and have that attendance is a real plus point for us and something that will be key moving throughout the season.”
Linnets go to Atherton Collieries on Saturday hoping to exact revenge for last Saturday’s loss when they meet in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Trophy. That game kicks-off at 3pm.
Ellison’s team also have a league match next Tuesday evening when they play host to fellow high-flyers Radcliffe FC. That match has a 7.45pm kick-off time.