PREVIEW | FC St Helens vs Runcorn Town: Win can secure title for The Stripes

Preview by Liam McDermott | Images by Mark Gambles

Following 11 wins in what is now a 13-match unbeaten run in the league for FC St Helens, they will be confident that they can secure one more in their meeting with Runcorn Town – which will make Good Friday a great Friday, given that it will ensure that Mike Smith’s outfit win the league.

What happened, last time?

When the two opponents met in the corresponding league fixture in September, Joe Barker’s equaliser wasn’t enough – as The Stripes lost 2-1 and fell short for the first time in the campaign, as well as for the first time in two meetings against this weekend’s visitors.

FC St Helens:

It has been a truly special season for FC St Helens, in this their 10th in formation.

With The Stripes top for the most-part of the campaign, many have tried and ultimately failed in their pursuit of slowing them down.

Should they win the league, then it will be deservedly so, but Runcorn Town will do everything in their power to ensure that lightning strikes for a third occasion – with another win in this fixture.

Runcorn Town:

With a large backlog of fixtures that sees this as the first of six matches that Runcorn Town will play in just over two weeks with the season’s conclusion nearing closer, the midtable side have every intention of steering further clear of the relegation zone – with them being six points ahead of Garstang, as well as having two games in hand.

Ones to watch:

FC St Helens – Ste Ashton

Having been with FC St Helens since day one, Ashton has established himself as something of a club legend.

Being a consistent component to numerous successful sides, the defender has shown great adaptability, professionalism and leadership to further emphasise his playing ability.

Should The Stripes secure promotion, he’ll have more than played his part in the club’s uprise, once again.

Runcorn Town – Jamie Apperley

The club’s top scorer with seven for the campaign, Apperley has tried his best to replicate the exploits of Joel Ankers – who departed with 10 in 16, earlier this season. Having scored in six of his side’s wins for the season, including in the two victories over FC St Helens, he will be hopeful of repeating the trick in this one.