Double injury worry as holders Linnets lose grip on Cheshire Senior Cup

Harvey Washington and Markell Foulds were both forced off by injury in defeat at Swansway Stadium.

Nantwich Town 2 Runcorn Linnets 0

After becoming the first Runcorn Linnets manager to win his opening three matches, Michael Ellison found the fourth to be a step too far.

In truth, his mix-and-match team never got going with Nantwich,always the likelier scorers and belatedly breaking through twice in the last 15 minutes.

It was a low-key end to Linnets' reign as holders of what has just been rebranded  the GoCardless Cheshire Senior Cup.

The away side fielded a patchwork XI, just as they had a week earlier in home victory against MSB Woolton in Liverpool FA's corresponding competition.

If the team looked and played like strangers, it was because they were exactly that.

Inexperienced young players and recent arrivals feeling their way - and in need of minutes - featured prominently.

Conviction and understanding were missing against a team eager to impress manager Luke Goddard in his debut match and redeem themselves for a home league defeat by Linnets a couple of months ago.

Runcorn had Stockport County's Cian O' Shea back between the sticks with Yusuf Mersin cup-tied and Bayleigh Passant having joined City of Liverpool on a dual registration.

They came close late in the first half when Harry McGee flashed a header wide and very early in the second as 18-year-old substitute  Joel Street charged promisingly through onto a Lewis Crane header but couldn't get his shot on target.

There was little else from Linnets as an attacking force. Even on falling behind, they were unable to get forward in sufficient numbers.

The Dabbers were mostly on top, finally taking the lead with a 75th-minute header by sub Callum Saunders at a corner.

Alex Panter, having struck a post inside five minutes with the goal at his mercy, lashed home in the 88th to secure Nantwich a semi-final spot.

Linnets had lost Markell Foulds from central defence with a tight hamstring and, later in the first half, likewise his successor.

Harvey Washington pullled up after overstretching in an attempted tackle.

It leaves Linnets even shorter in an area, which the manager was already looking to strengthen.

Runcorn Linnets: Cian O'Shea, Jay Lee, Naim Arsan, Markell Foulds (Harvey Washington 28 mins, Washington replaced by Adam Rooney, 40 mins), Peter Wylie (Lewis Doyle 75), Isaac Graham, Declan McLoughlin, Harry McGee, Lewis Crane (Scott Bakkor, 75 mins), Oskar Rosenblatt (Joel Street, 46 mins), James Steele.

Attendance: 222.