IAN Street says 1874 Northwich must prove they have learned lessons from their previous encounters with Runcorn Linnets when the teams meet again this weekend.

His side had reason to be rueful twice last season; they missed a penalty in a goalless draw at Barton Stadium, then let slip a lead before having two players sent off in a 3-2 defeat at Millbank Linnets Stadium.

“We were naive, and it cost us,” admitted Street.

“Have the players remembered that? I hope so, because it’s going to be a massively difficult test for us.

“I’ve talked often about game management, and how that is where we need to improve most if we want to challenge for promotion.

“That’s what we’ll need to get the upper hand.”

1874 extended an unbeaten start to the season in the North West Counties League following a 3-2 win at West Didsbury on Monday.

They kick off Saturday’s contest four points clear of Joey Dunn’s men, who have a game in hand.

However Street told the Guardian that a victory could be worth more, to his team in particular, in terms of a psychological boost even at this early stage of the season.

He added: “Even at the start of September, this is a big game.

“If we can win, then I think you’ll see belief flow through the players.

“That doesn’t mean Runcorn wouldn’t be able to win the title, of course not, but the lift of beating a rival can have that positive effect.”

And Monday’s victory, however hard-fought, has hopefully banished the frustration felt after being held at home by Alsager and then bowing out of the FA Cup.

1874 led 3-0 at West following a scintillating first-half display, but were grateful to hear the final whistle with skipper Neil Chappell an emergency goalkeeper following the dismissal of Tom Hunt.

The teenager will be back between the posts this weekend with Matthew Conkie (groin) ruled out by an injury.

Dilan Lomas (hamstring) will also be missing, while Aidan Haughton starts a three-match suspension.

However Matthew Ward is hopeful of a return after suffering a dead leg, while in-form Ryan Jackson is back too.

Street said: “Selecting a side has been messy, and it probably will be for a bit longer until things settle down.

“The fact we’ve still put points on the board proves that we have the depth to cope better when lads aren’t available.

“I had planned to give Matthew Beadle half an hour on Monday, but the game changed and we had to adjust.

“Those points are important; I could tell that the lads felt tense after what had happened in the previous two games.

“We were hanging on.”

Linnets have won four successive matches in all competitions, scoring 14 times, to put behind them a 1-0 reverse against Ashton Athletic in the opening week.

They came from behind to inflict a first defeat on AFC Liverpool in midweek, when Street was a spectator.

“I left at 1-1, but wasn’t surprised in the slightest to find out when I got home that they’d nicked it,” he said.

“That’s what Linnets do; they find a way.”