In the penultimate away fixture of the season, Avro make the trip to face Runcorn Linnets tomorrow afternoon, looking to extend their positive run of form to 7 league matches unbeaten. A run which has seen The Ro firmly enter the play-off picture. Avro head into this game sitting 7th in the league on 61 points, just 6 points behind Chasetown. With Avro hosting Chasetown on the last game of the season, the play-off picture remains in sight.
Last time out, Avro saw their 5 game winning streak ended at the hands of Nantwich Town. AJ Warburton put Avro ahead after brilliant link up play between Malakai McKenzie and AJ Warburton. This saw a fine season for AJ continue, reaching 10 league goals for the season, in which is his debut season at this level. However, just five minutes later, the hosts brought the game level thanks to a strike from Callum Saunders. There was also late disappointment for Avro as Kyle Hawley was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. However, 10-man Avro defended well to see out the game and claim a point on the road.
The hosts for tomorrow are placed just below Avro, sitting 8th in the league. So, it’s a crucial tie for both sides to keep their play-off hopes alive. They do, however, head into this fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats against Clitheroe and Lower Breck. A 3-0 defeat to Clitheroe last time out was a big blow to The Linnets who had built up a positive run of form in previous weeks. A goal in the first half from Danny Wilkins saw Clitheroe go into the break a goal ahead. The second half dominance continue as two second half goals saw Runcorn slip to a rare 3-0 home defeat.
This defeat last weekend was followed up by another defeat midweek with North West Counties title chasing side Lower Breck in the Liverpool Senior Cup. In what was a strong squad named by the Linnets, it would prove to be a disappointing evening at the hands of the inform Lower Breck. With this fixture only being played last night, The Ro will have the advantage of heading into this fixture on the back of a week break and will be hoping to take advantage of this.
The sides last met early in the season at the beginning of September at The Vestacare. It all went the way of Avro who claimed maximum points in a 3-1 victory. First half goals from Jake Cottrell and Kyle Hawley saw Avro head into the break 2-0 ahead. The dominance continued into the second half when Liam Ellis made it 3 to The Ro just before the hour mark. Runcorn did get a consolation goal back from Ryan Brooke, but this is all it was as Avro held out to the 3-1 lead. The Ro will be looking for more of the same tomorrow as we head into the final 4 games of the season.
Ryan Brooke is a key man for the Avro defence to look out for tomorrow afternoon. He currently sits on 14 goals for the season, 1 of which coming earlier in the season against Avro in the 3-1 defeat. Adam Moseley also has an eye for goal and sits just one short of double figures for the season so he will be eager to do so tomorrow afternoon.
Avro are next in action at home next Saturday, 19th April, when we welcome Stafford Rangers to The Vestacare. All of your support would be much appreciated as we enter the closing stages of the season. Tickets for this fixture are available to purchase on our website with pay on the day also being accepted via card and cash payments.
