Jay leads the way as Development team bounces back to winning form

Captain Jay Lee (left) and Macauley Clifton rejoice as the skipper's second goal puts Linnets 4-2 up. Pictures by Kelly Jones

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s will view their 5-2 victory at Steven Gerrard Academy as a massive result after two successive losses and a disturbing start to Sunday's match.

They had suffered only their second Premier Division defeat in the North West U21s Development League when falling 3-2 to visiting Hyde United last time out.

This had followed a 6-3 exit to Stalybridge Celtic in the League Cup quarter-finals, also at home.

So when Linnets found themselves 2-0 down to SGA at Liverpool Hope University Sports Ground in Childwall, they were up against it again.

Oliver Hutson netted for the hosts in the fifth and 29th minutes.

However, Runcorn rallied to level before half-time and their fightback was completed after the break with three further goals.

Lewis Crane, inset, digs out the ball from the net after putting Runcorn back in contention with their opener.

Captain Jay Lee led by example, grabbing the 41st minite equaliser after top scorer Lewis Crane had put Linnets back in the hunt five minutes earlier. It was his 20th goal in ten appearances.

Theo Papadopoulos put Linnets into the lead within two minutes of the restart with Thistledown Group man-of-the-match Jay Lee - at the heart of everything, according to his manager Ste Ellams - notching his second goal and his team's fourth in the 65th minute.

Ben Crane came off the bench to complete the scoring 17 minutes from time.

Congratulations for Theo Papadopoulos, whose 47th-minute strike gave Linnets the lead.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes with Linnets' Joel Street seeing red along with SGA's Cedric Bischoff.

The win maintains Runcorn's pursuit of leaders Warrington Town, who they trail by nine points with three games in hand.

Linnets boss Ellams said: "A huge three points as the lads got back to winning ways.

"Some great football on display and for large parts we were dominant in both boxes."

Next game for Linnets U21s at Avro on Sunday is a quick chance to avenge defeat by the Oldham club two weeks ago.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Billy McNay, Sam Hamling, Tom Beswick, Jay Lee, Cameron Schofield, Theo Papadopoulos, Macauley Clifton, Lewis Crane, Eneil Gumbs, Joel Street. Subs: Alex Ellams (GK), Callum Prince, Ben Crane, Zack Kopanksi, Zack Parker.

Ben Crane powers away to round off the victory, which keeps leaders Warrington Town in Runcorn's sights.