Ladies do enough to win thanks to Lile

Runcorn Linnets Ladies completed a quickfire double over Warrington Town Women on Wednesday, following up Sunday's 3-0 home victory with a 1-0 win in the away return.

Lile Ashley (pictured) came up with the decisive strike under the lights at Lymm Leisure Centre to send Linnets up to third in Division One South of the North West Women's Regional League.

Two wins and a draw from four matches leave Runcorn on seven points, three behind Nantwich Town Women (who have also played four games).

Linnets are level with second-placed Manchester Laces but the latter have a game in hand.

The next game for Runcorn is this Sunday against Liverpool Feds Women Reserves at Jericho Lane, Liverpool in the reverse of lat week's drawn fixture at APEC Taxis Stadium. Kick off is at 2pm.

Full match report

Warrington Town Women 0 Runcorn Linnets Ladies 1

By Jack Slater

In a reversal of the weekend's action, Runcorn travelled to their nearest and dearest rivals to face a Warrington team, having enjoyed 3-0 success in the initial encounter.

Midweek games are always difficult and with a number of injuries and players still to return, Runcorn named a starting 11 with only one change.

George Oxley replaced Saturday's two-goal star Molly Hewitt, who was on holiday.

Warrington started the quicker, putting Runcorn under the cosh early doors, utilising wing play as their method of trying to get some early success.

Runcorn showed patience, however, and weathered the storm without conceding many clear-cut chances. They began to work their way into the game and earned the right to play.

Runcorn's endeavours started to show some reward with resolute defence from Evans, Mclarney, Hart and Roberts giving them the basis from which Ashley broke the Warrington lines.

She went one on one with the Warrington 'keeper but unfortunately blazed her effort over the bar.

Runcorn lost Tilston from midfield due to injury. This saw the introduction of Beth Graham, who like Gibbons has recently returned from a prolonged period of travelling.

Linnets will hope that the pair are back for the long term.

One on ones presented themselves for Graham and Roberts, who were also unable to convert.

But Runcorn stuck to the task and were rewarded accordingly when Ashley again broke the line.

She was this time able to finish smartly with an effort past the on-rushing keeper to give Linnets the lead.

A midfield battle for power ensued with Graham, Bazley and Gillies battling hard to retain control for the visitors.

In opposition, Parsons was a key component of Warrington's forward press and she was thwarted by Linnets 'keeper Bellfield before the break.

After the restart, Linnets look to strike early. They could arguably have had the game firmly in their control as a corner from Ashley was spilled by the Warrington 'keeper.

But Gillies was twice denied at close range by goal-line clearances.

The game became a little scrappy for a spell and as with tiredness beginning to show just before the hour, Linnets' management introduced Whimperley in place of McCabe.

Thevsubstitute added some go-forward and aggression on the Linnets left and was unlucky not to score after getting the better of the Warrington right back Brennon.

But the ball was cleared by Portelli close to goal.

Warrington established some control on the game, building pressure with a series of corners and free-kicks.

But backs-against-the-wall defending from Mclarney and Hart ensured the threat was minimised.

A few heated moments added to the Runcorn frustrations as they battled fiercely to defend their lead.

Two smart stops and secure handling by Bellfield kept Linnets in front.

Warrington, now firmly in the ascendancy, continued to apply pressure.

Runcorn introduced Gibbons for the injured Ashley and she made a key intervention when blocking a shot from Warrington's 'keeper, who was up for a corner.

As Warrington pushed their whole team upfield, Runcorn had the chance to secure the game from a Jess Bazley break.

But with an open goal beckoning, she was seemingly fouled. The referee thought otherwise and Gibbons was cautioned for delaying the restart.

The game petered out in the last few minutes, Warrington being unable to break Runcorn's resolve.

The final whistle signalled another important three points for Linnets, completing a maximum haul from their toils with Warrington this season.