Michael Ellison's team made a perfect start to the New Year with a 2-0 win at City of Liverpool on New Year's Day - a fixture also played at the DCBL.

Sean Miller's first half brace was enough to earn all three points against the 10 man Purps but the Widnes boss felt that his side's wasn't where it needed to be despite the victory.

The Whites remain at the top of the NPL West - three points clear of Congleton Town - but standing in their way is a Runcorn side who have only lost two of their last 10 games on the road.

In fact, Linnets are the division's fifth-best travellers with 21 points from their 12 previous outings which makes for a decent matchup against a Widnes team who have a formidable home record, collecting 25 points at home from 33 on offer.

The Opposition

Anthony Kay's Linnets team will have felt they'd turned a corner before New Year's Day's 4-0 defeat at home to Witton Albion.

Runcorn had lost just one of their previous seven contests heading into the New Year, including three straight wins to bring the curtain down on 2024.

Kay will be expecting a response from his players with the extra incentive of closing the gap to the play-off positions while denting their local rivals' promotion challenge.

Linnets will be forced into a reshuffle too, with Bayleigh Passant expected to return in goal after Tom Myles returned to his parent club, while virtual ever-present Sam Barratt went off against Witton with an injury.

Previous Meetings

These two sides shared the spoils in August's reverse fixture with Adam Moseley's late equaliser rescuing a point for Linnets on that very wet Tuesday night.

It's a very even overall record too, with both teams boasting six wins in this fixture, with two further draws.

Matchday Information

Saturday’s clash at the DCBL Stadium is a 3:00pm kick-off. Admission is priced at £10 adults, £7 concessions and £2 under-16s on the gate via cash or card.

As is currently the case with our home fixtures, no unaccompanied U16s will be admitted into the stadium.

A big crowd is expected so we do encourage supporters to arrive early to avoid queues at the turnstiles.

Social media coverage will as always take place on our official channels – X @Widnes_FC and Instagram - @widnesfc