RUNCORN TOWN’S quest for glory in the FA Vase continues tomorrow afternoon when they visit Glossop North End.
Both teams have done well in the competition in recent seasons – the Derbyshire side reached the final two years ago while Runcorn got further than any other North West Counties team in last year’s tournament, eventually going out in the fourth round.
Runcorn Town secretary Martin Fallon is predicting a hard match against their fellow North West Counties League Premier Division opponents.
He said: “Glossop is a really tough draw and Surrey Street is a tough place to go and get a result. I have no doubt that we will be the underdogs as the people of Glossop have quite a love affair with the Vase having reached the final a few years ago and they will support their team in numbers. The amount of supporters that they took to the North East in the last round is testament to that.
“This could actually work in our advantage as there is little pressure on us on the day with the majority of the crowd behind them. If we can keep it tight at the back then we have numerous players who can cause damage further up the field.
“Glossop have a decent pitch which suits our game and we went there in September in the league and returned with a 1-0 victory, which not many teams will do this season. If our players can replicate their performance from the league match then there is no reason why we cannot get a result on the day.”
IN the Blue Square Bet League’s Premier Division, third-place Southport will be aiming to put Tuesday night’s 3-1 home defeat to Forest Green Rovers out of their system when Alfreton Town visit Haig Avenue.
After the club record-breaking heroics last week at Stockport County when Port emerged with a 1-0 win – despite playing 85 minutes with only 10 men – Liam Watson’s team came back down to earth with the midweek loss, again playing much of the match a man down.
Completing the game with a full complement of players and bagging all three points against the team second-from-bottom in the division will be what Watson will be seeking tomorrow.
In Blue Square Bet North, Vauxhall Motors will be aiming to move away from the lower reaches of the table when fellow strugglers Histon are the visitors to Rivacre Park.
IN the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, leaders Chester FC will be striving to maintain their advantage over the chasing pack when they entertain mid-table outfit Worksop Town.
Elsewhere, seventh-placed Marine take a trip into Derbyshire to take on struggling Mickleover Sports while bottom club Burscough will hope to secure only their fourth win of the campaign at home to ninth-place Rushall Olympic.
In the Evo-Stik First Division North, second-placed Skelmersdale United will aim to arrest a disconcerting slide of five matches without a win when they visit sixth-placed Woodley Sports.
Meantime, mid-table Warrington Town go to Bamber Bridge, Prescot Cables entertain Mossley while bottom club Cammell Laird will be eyeing a morale-bosting three points from their trip to Clitheroe.
NORTH West Counties League Premier Division action sees second-placed Bootle aiming to keep pressure on leaders Ramsbottom United when Silsden are the visitors to the Delta Taxis Stadium.
Elsewhere in the division, Runcorn Linnets travel to Winsford United, St Helens Town are at Padiham while AFC Liverpool, now off the foot of the table, are the visitors to Stone Dominoes.
FOLLOWING last week’s postponment due to a waterlogged pitch, Formby will once again attempt to play their second round tie in the North West Counties League’s First Division Trophy against Nelson at Altcar Road.
