FA Cup preview: Back us to stun Buxton, says Runcorn Linnets’ Scott Bakkor

By Andy Simpson

As the final whistle sounded last Saturday, Scott Bakkor was among the Runcorn Linnets players looking dejected.

Some placed hands on their hips, while others had sagging shoulders after a last-gasp goal by Ashton United denied them a historic FA Cup victory.

“It was a sickener,” their leading scorer told The NLP. “But this team has bottle, and we back ourselves.”

On Tuesday, Linnets rallied to prevail 2-1 in a replay after Bakkor put them in front with his fifth strike in this season’s competition.

Upset

It was an upset that Steve Cunningham, the Robins’ manager, admitted afterwards he hadn’t seen coming. Runcorn weren’t surprised though.

After five wins, including one in front of the TV cameras at Pickering, the NPL West Division outfit are one of only three surviving teams that started their run on the opening weekend.

Next up is a home date on Saturday with National League North side Buxton for the Cheshire club’s first appearance in the fourth qualifying round.

“It’ll be one of the biggest games I’ve been involved in,” said Bakkor.

“As a player, you hope at the start of every year that it’s your team’s turn to have a good run, but the prospect of winning four or five games feels a long way off.

“We’re almost playing with house money at this stage. That doesn’t mean we’re not desperate to get through to the first round, mind!”

BAKK IN BUSINESS: Scott Bakkor scored his fifth FA Cup goal to beat Ashton United in midweek
PICTURE: Ben Jackson

Motivation

The 31-year-old, a summer recruit from Atherton Collieries, has already reached double figures for goals this term in all competitions.

His career has featured turns at Clitheroe, Witton Albion, Skelmersdale, Colwyn Bay, Stalybridge Celtic and both Warrington teams – Town and Rylands.

However, an opportunity to play again for Brad Cooke – appointed as Linnets boss in February and who managed Bakkor when the pair was at Colls during the 2022-23 campaign – is one he’s taken with motivation.

“Brad is a guy that players are willing to run through walls for,” said the forward. “We feel his passion, and he’s built a team of lads who can reflect that on the field.

“He knows me, and so doesn’t have to say too much; he trusts me, lets me play my game, and I know I’m going to get chances.

“Getting off the mark quickly, even if it was a couple of tap-ins, gave me confidence and when that happens as a forward you notice more falls for you and you can play instinctively. That suits me.”

Benefit

Runcorn are reaping the benefit. While their primary objective this term remains a maiden promotion to Step 3 after several near misses in the play-offs, everybody associated with the club is savouring this moment.

Bakkor added: “We’ll ride this wave as long as possible.

“This is a proper Non-League club with lots of good people running it, backed up by a fan base that’s truly special – the noise they made [at Ashton] sticks with me. That spurs you on.”

The Bucks, ranked two divisions and close to 50 places above Linnets when the draw was made, have been warned.