Hail the champions and Cup Kings!

Triumphant Runcorn Linnets U21s with, to the right of the back row (from left) manager Ste Ellams, assistant Daryl Evans and coach John Harrison. Picture by Peter Cantwell.

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 2 Kidsgrove Athletic Under 21s 1

Report by Dave Bettley

On an afternoon when they would be officially crowned as North West Development League Division B champions, Linnets U21s made it a double celebration.

They defeated league runners-up Kidsgrove in the divisional cup final, defying a strong and spirited second-half fightback from the Staffordshire outfit.

The double winners are joined by Linnets Junior mascots as the post-match party gets into full swing.

A Bank Holiday weekend crowd of around 300 watched Runcorn edge a close contest in spring sunshine at APEC Taxis Stadium to register a third campaign victory over their visitors.

The hosts had suffered a pre-match blow when Jay Lee was withdrawn upon late confirmation of the skipper's suspension, following his dismissal in the recent league match against AFC Liverpool.

But Linnets deservedly led 2-0 at half-time, thanks to goals by Zack Parker and leading marksman Lewis Crane with a penalty.

The Grove replied soon after the break when Ioannis Koutouzos, second only to Crane in the division's scoring charts, netted on the rebound after initially being denied by 'keeper Alex Ellams.

Linnets had a fright when a subsequent attempt by the same player hit both the bar and a post without crossing the goal line.

A late equaliser would have brought a penalty shootout but Runcorn saw out the eight minutes of stoppage time without further alarm.

Skipper for the day Cam Schofield boots clear. Photo by Neil Thornton.

The early stages had been cagey, neither side genuinely hreatening in open play. Free-kicks for both from dangerous areas failed to deliver a breakthrough.

Slowly but surely, Linnets began to take a grip with Billy McNay, Sam Stephens, Macauley Clifton and Asnafi Shamari calling the tune in midfield.

Crane and Parker linked up well in attack while Cam Schofield, in the absence of usual centre back partner Lee, relished the extra responsibility of captaincy alongside Josh Elverstone, who had been promoted into the starting XI.

Schofield couldn't quite get on top of a Callum Prince corner with a back-post header as both sides were restricted to set-pieces and half chances before Runcorn struck in the 20th minute.

Delight for scorer Zack Parker but despair in the Kidsgrove defence after the Linnets' opener. Picture by Peter Cantwell.

Ben Dobbie, advancing wide left, was screaming for a pass from Clifton but the Linnets playmaker instead worked the ball to the right for Crane to deliver a telling cross, which found scorer Parker in the six-yard box.

Kidsgrove were proving more resilient than they had been in the earlier league meetings with Linnets, who had won both on a 13-4 aggregate scoreline.

Meanwhìle, Koutouzos was a willing worker in attack and a persistent threat.

The Grove centre forward headed narrowly wide with a full-length effort after Runcorn had been slow to react before Devon Renshaw crossed from close to the left corner flag.

Koutouzos should have levelled when Clifton unusually gave away possession in midfield. But sent clear by the resulting Kidsgrove through ball, the striker hit his shot straight at Ellams as the defiant 'keeper stood his ground in the centre of goal.

Lewis Crane converts from the penalty spot to double Runcorn's first-half lead. Pictures by Neil Thornton (above) and Peter Cantwell.

But five minutes from the break, Crane and Clifton fashioned another clear opening for Parker, who was impeded inside the box by Luke Caldwell. Crane confidently stroked home the penalty, sending Tom Lancaster the wrong way.

Parker had another shot blocked after an unconvincing goalkeeping clearance had presented him with the opportunity.

In the last minute of the half, Runcorn saw claims for another spot-kick waved away although Caldwell's challenge on Shafari looked more of a foul than the one which had been penalised earlier.

Runcorn must have sensed a third goal soon after the break would kill off Kidsgrove's hopes but Linnets struggled to rediscover their earlier fluency. Instead, Koutouzos struck to revive his side's challenge in the 55th minute.

Linnets had by then enjoyed a let-off when Charlie Bradbury's 25-yard free-kick struck the inside of the right post.

Eneil Gumbs, Arty Benjamin and Adam Moseley had all been introduced off the bench before the half had reached its midpoint.

Linnets No.1 Alex Ellams stands firm as Kidsgrove threaten before the break. Picture by Neil Thornton.

Lancaster held onto a cross from the left by Crane under pressure from Gumbs while Dobbie fired the ball into the goal area from a deeper position on the same flank but neither Crane nor Gumbs could get to it.

Runcorn somehow escaped as their woodwork was struck twice by the same Koutouzos shot but they managed the gane well enough in the closing stages as Harry Vernon and Jaden Ditchfield joined the action.

The full-time whistle sparked joyous scenes involving players and supporters, the party atmosphere continuing in the MDB Gas Clubhouse.

Cup of joy for Callum Prince (right) and team-mates. Picture by Peter Cantwell.

Linnets U21s will complete their league programme at home to Northwich Victoria on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm) with the cup final focus now shifting to the first team's Cheshire Senior Cup appearance 24 hours earlier against Stalybrdge Celtic at Chester.

Runcorn Linnets: Alex Ellams, Callum Prince, Ben Dobbie, Billy McNay, Cam Schofield, Josh Elverstone, Macauley Clifton, Sam Stephens, Lewis Crane, Asnafi Shamari, Zack Parker, subs (all used): Eneil Gumbs, Harry Vernon,  Adam Moseley, Arty Benjamin, Jaden Ditchfield.

Kidsgrove scorer Ioannis Koutouzos is surrounded by Josh Elverstone (left), Asnafi Shamari (right) and Billy McNay (No.4). Picture by Neil Thornton.