We’ve been here before haven’t we?

1874 Northwich must be sick of the sight of Runcorn Linnets.

After six attempts at trying to get one over on their neighbours, they have still to savour a victory.

In fact, Saturday marked their biggest defeat in a derby.

It is undeniably true that two late goals distorted the final score, but a feeling that Ian Street’s side might break their duck was all too fleeting in the moments after Jason Carey’s opener.

Linnets were clinical, and executed brilliantly each of their goals.

To blame ‘big game’ syndrome – whatever that is – for 1874’s failure is perhaps a red herring.

Indeed a record against their top-five rivals this season is respectable, including a double over Runcorn Town and creditable draws away to Linnets and Bootle.

Red cards, and black marks

Lee Jones first-half dismissal increased to five a tally of red cards for 1874 Northwich players in their half-dozen meetings with Runcorn Linnets since 2014.

Italian football observers would discuss a ‘nervosismo’ – roughly translated as irritability or psychological nervousness – that leads to such a record.

Do Linnets get under 1874’s skin? Maybe. It’s certainly can’t be a referee’s fault every time.

Jones was booked, rightly, for a reckless tackle on midfielder Kristian Holt shortly after his side had taken the lead.

Less than five minutes had passed before an equally ill-judged foul on Paul Shanley, leaving match official Conor Brown with no choice but to caution him a second time.

Bad discipline? Perhaps. But there does seem to be something about this fixture that exposes a vulnerability among 1874 players.

The ex-Factor

Substitute Stuart Wellstead scored arguably the pick of the game’s five goals with a stunning strike that dipped underneath the crossbar with three minutes left.

A former favourite at Barton Stadium among 1874 and Winsford supporters, there was an inevitability that he would hit the net after trotting onto the field only seconds earlier.

Curiously, he rather enjoyed it too – celebrating with a vigour (and smile) unfamiliar to football fans used to players they previously cheered for claiming faux anguish when shooting down their old team.

A word to for Freddie Potter, who has scored against 1874 this term for two different teams; his spectacular lob sealed a 3-1 win for AFC Liverpool on the same pitch back in September.

Northwich Guardian:

Jason Carey rifles high past Runcorn Linnets goalkeeper Adam Caunce to put 1874 Northwich in front at St Luke's Barton Stadiu on Saturday. Picture: Ian Dutton

Hindsight as insight

Sometimes the impact of a defeat cannot be predicted.

1874 lost 1-0 at fellow promotion-hopefuls Atherton Collieries on February 18, a game between opponents that could barely be split.

Indeed, a moment of ingenuity by the hosts (or lack of concentration from their guests depending on your persuasion) settled a close encounter.

Northwich have since lost meekly in front of their own supporters against Padiham and Runcorn Linnets after taking the lead on both occasions.

Ian Street twice called on his players to show a reaction in prior to both of those games, yet there was little sign of one.

Lee Jones’ sending-off was a burden to them doing so after edging ahead on Saturday, prompting a reshuffle that reduced their attacking threat.

They were disjointed too after being forced by injuries and unavailability to make changes against the Storks.

That said, the subdued nature of their performances is inescapable.

Where next for 1874?

A trip to back to the drawing board.

Assistant manager Paul Bowyer told the Guardian afterwards that his side needed to regroup, and quickly too.

They have two more derbies in the next seven days that should sharpen focus, starting with a Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup semi-final encounter with Witton Albion on Thursday.

Barnton then act as hosts in a league game 48 hours later.

“The game against Witton is an opportunity for everybody at the club to pull together,” said Bowyer.

“We have to believe we can beat them, and it’s important that we put up a fight.”

1874 are near-certain now not to win the North West Counties League Premier Division title, but they still have 10 games left to play.

That’s 30 points, and an opportunity to register their highest total since being promoted in 2014.