Win-streak Linnets ‘in a good place’ Ellison ‘delighted’ at performance against Trafford
MICHAEL Ellison believes Runcorn Linnets are in a ‘good place’ after recording their fourth consecutive BetVictor North West Division victory over Trafford on Saturday.
Linnets posted a 2-1 win at the Millbank despite trailing with less than five minutes remaining.
Lewis McKinney equalised in the dying stages before Runcorn were awarded a penalty in the final minute.
Louis Corrigan stepped up and despite missing the initial kick turned home the rebound and fired his side to within four points of the play-off positions.
“I’m delighted to be honest,” Ellison said after the game.
“I thought we deserved it with a little bit of luck at the end, the keeper saving the penalty and Louis getting on the rebound but I thought over 90 minutes we edged the game.
“We were unlucky not to go in at half-time one or two up and their keeper has made a couple of really good saves.
“We knew it was going to be tough second-half. They’re a good side, they had the wind
● 17-year-old Lewis McKimney (right) enjoys his equaliser against Trafford behind them and they put it on us To go a goal down and get a penalty late on, it was great and I think the lads deserved it.”
Connor McCarthy won the game-changing late penalty but did not go down inside the area following contact.
Zharir Mustafa still pointed to
.“the spot, however, and Ellison praised the work of the match official.
“Normally if you don’t go down you don’t get it,” he admitted. “He’s done really, really well the referee. It was a penalty but credit to him for giving it.
“Louis stepped up, the keeper makes a good save and we get the rebound but we’ve been playing really well of late.
“That’s four league wins and a draw out of five so we’re playing really well and are in a good place.”
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RUNCORN Town have signed Declan McGivern on a dual-registration deal from local rivals Runcorn Linnets.
Player-manager Paul McManus admitted the transfer was struck after loan signing Mike Burke returned to parent club Widnes following a successful spell.
Former Bradford City centre-back McGivern joined Linnets in the summer after spending seven years in the United States of America.
He turned out for National Premier Soccer League outfit Cleveland SC and scored the club’s first ever goal during their inaugural campaign in 2018.
McGivern started the season as first-choice under Michael Ellison at the Millbank but has dropped out of the side in recent months before Town made their move.
“I am delighted to have signed Declan on a dual-registration,” McManus, who is experiencing his first full campaign in charge of Runcorn, said of the deal.
“He’s a commanding figure who knows the game very well.
“He will come in to replace Mike Burke who has sadly gone back to Widnes after coming in and showing exactly what he’s capable of and that’s why Widnes have taken him back.
“I am looking at Declan to come in and help us carry on improving and working our way up the league table, which will also give him the platform he needs to perform.”
McManus is also relishing the opportunity to welcome League One side Tranmere Rovers to the Viridor Community Stadium in the Liverpool Senior Cup in January.
“It’s a chance for the lads to show what they’re capable of again and to test themselves against higher opposition,” he said.
“Although it would have been nice to get an away draw, I’m sure Tranmere won’t fancy coming to our place to play.”
Town will be hoping to return to action and hand McGivern a debut against Congleton Town this weekend after their previous two matches were postponed due to adverse weather conditions.