the previous season. There were no real cup runs this year, but Town bounced back in the league to finish third, level on points with runners-up Bootle. The 2017–18 season saw the club get off to a record breaking start as they won their first 11 games of the season, with the first defeat coming in November. But the bad weather over winter saw momentum halted, playing just once in 35 days, and in ten league games until February, Town picked up just seven points. The end to the season was almost as good as the start, but they left themselves too much to do and finished third once more, albeit with a club record 93 points. The 2018–19 season saw Runcorn Town in and among the leading sides until Christmas, but midway through the season, Herbert left the club to take a full time role at National League side Salford City. Midfilder Paul McManus accepted the role on a caretaker basis, and was appointed as permanent player-manager prior to the final game of the season. The 2019–20 season was declared null and void after the season was cancelled due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. The final game of the season was a 5-0 win at home to Burscough on 14 March 2020. There were good runs in the FA Cup - losing eventually to Farsley Celtic in the 2nd Qualifying Round - and also the League Cup - Town progressed to the semi-final before the competition was cancelled. The 2020–21 season barely got started before again being curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In one of the few games played, Town beat AFC Liverpool on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw to reach the final of the League Cup. The League Cup final was played at the beginning of the 2021–22 season, with Town losing 6-3 to 1874 Northwich. In October 2021 a new management team was brought in - Niall McGuinness and Aden Shannon taking over as joint managers, lasting just six months in charge. A new management team led by Matt Barnes were brought in for the start of the 2022-23 season, tasked with building a new squad to challenge for promotion back to the Premier Division. Cup competitions FA Cup The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in the 2011–12 season, and played their first ever match in the competition in the Extra