Ladies plan to bounce back from defeats and postponements

Runcorn Linnets Ladies finally kick off the New Year this Sunday with a NW Regional Women's League game at AFC Crewe Women.

The Division Two South match at Wood Park (ko 2pm) pitches third-placed Linnets against hosts, who lie sixth in the table.

This is the second meeting of rhe teams this season, the first having come in our last outing on Sunday December 7th.

We were beaten. 2-1 at APEC Taxis Stadium, despite a goal from midfield stalwart Chelsea Gillies.

That was a third successive defeat for the Ladies, who will be looking for a return to winning ways.

Linnets have been in good form on our travels this season, winning 3 out of 5 in the league and 3 from 3 in the cups.

Linnets will be looking to push on 2026 on all fronts after an injury-hit late 2025, following a promising start and some positive performances.

Lile Ashley enters the new year as the Linnets top goalscorer with 11 goals, closely followed by Chelsea Gillies on 10 and Mollie Bennett with nine.

All will be looking to add to their tallies by hitting the ground running.

Meanwhile, skipper Emma Mclarney leads the Linnets current appearance stats with 16 appearances so far this season

Linnets will be bolstered by the return from injury of Sophie Rotheram for the trip to South Cheshire while Halle Morris returns from a long- term absence.

Sunday's opponents are unbeaten in two, including the last game against Linnets Ladies.

Both teams have endured two postponements since.

Co-manager Tom Dyson said: "We look forward to getting back into action after the Christmas break. We will prepare well."