‘Incredible’ Linnets in final showdown

RUTHLESS Runcorn Linnets secured their place in the Northern Premier League West Division play-off final in stunning fasion after a 4-1 thrashing of Leek Town in Tuesday’s semi-final clash. Leek, who finished the regular season in third place, were stunned as Linnets raced out of the starting blocks to take a 2-0 lead inside the opening two minutes.

The visitors led 3-0 by half time with frontmen Iwan Murray, Ryan Brooke and Lloyd Marsh-Hughes all on the scoresheet.

Tim Grice pulled one back for Leek after the interval but Brooke’s second of the night sealed a memorable win and set up the thrilling prospect of a play-off final against Marine on Saturday.

A delighted Calum McIntyre hailed his players and everyone connected to the club.

“People ridiculed us, people laughed – and here we are, ninety minutes from promotion to Step 3, the Northern Premier League,” he said.

“Our players have been phenomenal all season, but tonight that was incredible. I’d heard comments about what a great season we’d had, what an achievement it was to reach the play-offs – but we were never coming here just to make up the numbers. It was an outstanding performance from an outstanding group of players and it’s put us in a play-off final.

“We put them on ropes and, not being arrogant, if it had been a boxing match it would have been stopped at half time. Fair play to them for coming out and putting us under pressure for long spells of the second half, but fair play to us for digging in and limiting them because they have some outstanding players, they are an outstanding team but we were worthy of our victory this season.

“The support was ridiculous – that was an away end! I was told it was going to be a tough atmosphere but I just heard the Runcorn fans for ninety minutes.

“I think you saw the togetherness between the supporters and the team, there is unity between us.

“When I came here I said anything we are going to achieve we will achieve together and some people laughed and thought ‘you’re just trying to say the right things.’ But I meant it. For a club like ours, who can’t compete financially with the club we beat on Tuesday, can’t compete financially with the club we’re playing on Saturday, we had to build something – a bond with the supporters, a way of playing – and it’s come off.

“On Saturday, we are ninety minutes away from the unthinkable, the incredible – I told you not to write us off.”*