Dominant Ladies find a way past stubborn opposition at home

Runcorn Linnets Ladies 2 Wirral Phoenix 0    

Emma Smith fires in the second against Wirral Phoenix.

Report by Jack Slater; pictures by Neil Thornton

Linnets Ladies maintained their strong run of form on this first home appearance since early December.

Sophie Rotheram and Emma Snith marked their returns to the team with the goals, which consolidated fourth place in North West Women's Regional League Division One South.

Linnets were without captain Emma Mclarney, Caitlin Gibbons, Callie Clarke-Smith, Lile Ashley and Beth Middleton but welcomed back Saffron Tilston in addition to Smith and Rotheram.

The hosts started well, keeping and moving the ball with ease and intent.

Aisling Hart gets to the ball fitst but is crowded out.

But against Wirral's defensive set up,  Runcorn were restricted early on to long-range efforts.

The first meaningful save was made by Linnets' Alex Bellfield.

Linnets shut off after conceding a free-kick in midfield.

It was taken quickly to release the Wirral winger, who was unable to convert from a tight angle. The shot was easily put out for a corner by Bellfield.

Linnets' first scorer Sophie Rotheram homes in on goal.

On 22 minutes, Mollie Bennett released Rotheram in the inside left channel but bearing down on goal one on one, she was foiled as Wirral's 'keeper saved with her feet.

Linnets were again unlucky not to take the lead when a deflected cross from Bennett found Lily Shakeshaft alone six yards out, but she couldn't connect.

A clearance from a goalmouth scramble at the resulting corner landed at the feet of Bennett, whose dangerous delivery was steered wide by Gillies.

Linnets' pressure told on 30 minutes.

Chelsea Gillies powers in a header.

Good play from Gabby Evans and Bennett led to the latter delivering a pinpoint cross, which was met by Rotheram. 

A superb finish left the goalkeeper stranded.

Up to that point, the half had been almost completely dominated by Linnets and their bombardment of the Wirral goal continued.

Several corners were well gathered by the Phoenix goalkeeper.

Molly Hewitt tests the Wirral 'keeper, who was always busy.

Rotheram was set free down the middle but recovering defenders were able to turn the shot behind.

Another effort by the same Linnets player was well saved.

Linnets started the second stanza in lively fashion and went close again through Rotheram.

The visiting 'keeper pulled off a further save low down before Molly Hewitt, freshly introduced , missed the target while being closed down by Phoenix's out-rushing No.1.

With Tilston and Amelia Cullen having by now entered the field, Bennett pulled a 20-yard effort wide. All the chances were falling to Runcorn.

Their second goal came on 64 minutes.

A half clearance by Wirral was hooked back into the area by Aisling Hart.

Emma Smith (No 21) is congratulated on her goal by Jess Bazley

Smith, unmarked at the back post, finished well to give Linnets the buffer they needed.

On 72 minutes, from a rare foray forward,  Wirral sent a shot well wide.

Linnets countered at pace with Bennett finding Eva Whimperley in space on the left.

However, the Wirral 'keeper again blocked the way to goal.