Billy Paynter has outlined Runcorn Linnets’ intentions on finishing strong as he admits fate is in their hands.
Linnets secured their place in the Northern Premier League playoffs for a third consecutive year last weekend as they downed rivals Widnes 3-2.
They head to 1874 Northwich to round off their gruelling campaign where they sit second, one point clear of Prescot Cables while just three points separate them from City of Liverpool, Bootle and Witton Albion – who will be looking to seal playoff fate of their own on the final day.
“It’s in our hands, we know that we’ve got a job to do,” Paynter told Off The Park. “1874 are already relegated, they’ll be playing for pride, a new manager has come in so he will be putting his new ideas across and looking to implement that for next season. We’ve only got one task, to win the game and secure second, it’s in our hands.”
Northwich are rooted to the foot of the table but there is pride on the line with new manager Chris Herbert looking to garner momentum for their push to return to step four next season.
Paynter warned that while it may be a party atmosphere for those making the trip, his players can’t be sucked in by the occasion and remain focused.
He added: “We’ve got to make sure our mindset is on the game, it’s going to be tough – they’re not going to just roll over otherwise you’ll slip up. We’ve come so far this season to be in second, we need to make sure we do a professional job and get over the line.
“The type of group that we have, they understand that we demand high standards from them. The last day of the season, anything can happen, there will be twists and turns, our fans will be travelling in numbers but it’s important that our players don’t get caught up in that, be professional and see where we are then look to build for the playoffs.”
In each of the last two seasons, Linnets have tasted playoff final heartache against Marine and Workington. Calum McIntyre lost out to Neil Young’s side two years ago while the Reds ran out winners in extra-time after a comeback win in last year’s final.
The 39-year-old knows the feeling of falling at the final hurdle and expressed his intentions of not feeling like that again.
Paynter continued: “For me, the playoffs are like a knockout competition so if we’re not on it, we’ve seen experiences in there that we’ve fallen at the final hurdle, we don’t want to feel like that again.
“We’ve kept the same core but we’ve added quality in certain areas, we’ve got a bit more strength and even though against Leek last year the lads put a shift in, we went into Workingon with the same 11 because I felt the bench wasn’t strong enough. Looking now, when we do make changes it’s like-for-like.”
