Linnets retain second place in Women's League with victory over Robins
- dbettley
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Runcorn Linnets Ladies 3
Altrincham Ladies 1
Report by Jack Slater with pictures by Neil Thornton
The switch back to North West Women's Regional League action for Runcorn Linnets Ladies coincided with a return to APEC Taxis Stadium for their first South Division home game since September.
Linnets were buoyed by the reappearance of some familiar faces with Aisling Hart and Caitlin Gibbons rejoining the squad after a week's holiday and Beth Middleton, following work commitments
Runcorn started sluggishly, compared to a young and hungry Altrincham team, and could have been behind in the first minute.
Rutter pinched the ball from Saffron Tilston to play a neat one-two with McKnight but a tame finish allowed Alex Bellfield to save.
However, Linnets bounced back to take the lead on six mins when Sophie Rotheram took the ball at her feet, leaving the Alty defence for dead before drilling a cross into the box.
It was deflected on to a post by a defender but the 'keeper failed to keep hold of the rebound and Gillies stroked the loose ball into an empty net for her ninth goal of the season.
Altrincham almost responded immediately when Rutter's pace got her in behind the Linnets' defence.
But with Emma Mclarney narrowing the angle and Bellfield rushing to meet the Altrincham raider, the chance was snuffed out and Callie Clarke-Smith cleared the danger.
On 10 minutes, an Altrincham free-kick was comfortably held by Bellfield and Linnets should then have put themselves further ahead.
A good press saw them win the ball 25 yards into the opposition half, where Jess Bazley linked with Lile Ashley before setting Rotheram away again.
On 10 minutes, an Altrincham free-kick was comfortably held by Bellfield and Linnets should then have put themselves further ahead.
A good press saw them win the ball 25 yards into the opposition half, where Jess Bazley linked with Lile Ashley before setting Rotheram away again.
Her drilled cross brought a close-range save from Bazley's effort with the 'keeper also stopping the follow-up by Rotheram before finally collecting from Gillies as the ball pinballed around the box.
At the other end, a quick throw-in found Linnets slow to react and got rhe visitors into a threatening position.
But Mclarney read the situation and blocked well to avert the danger.
Linnets were sloppy in possession for a period but Alty struggled to manufacture any chances of note.
The Robins' game plan, to use pace in behind, was clear. McKnight did so in the 28th but the angle was tight and Bellfield was able to save comfortably.
The visitors were having some joy in possession now and carved out a couple of good chances.
Smart play led them to them finding an unmarked attacker inside the Runcorn pemalty box. Bellfield was able not only to save the shot but collect the rebound.
Alty then almost struck gold when an in-swinging corner went close but Bellfield, fielded the high ball, ushered it away to safety.
A cut-in from the Altrincham right allowed the Robins winger time to size up a shot from outside the area.
Bellfield was equal to it again and able to protect the goal with a tip on to a post.
Boosted by the 'keeper's heroics, Linnets then came into their own, asserting pressure to fashion chances.
Firstly, there was a moment of magic from Rotheram. She beat several players with great skill and ball control but saw her effort hit a post - this denying her a contender for goal of the season.
But Altrincham couldn't escape as the rebound fell straight to Lile Ashley, who converted with a real poacher's effort.
Minutes later, a Gillies strike was well saved.
Lily McCabe, who had replaced Mollie Bennett, was unlucky not to get more when an effort was also saved by the 'keeper.
Not to be denied, however, Ashley added to her tally with a solo strike, which was finished emphatically into the roof of the net - the scorer having been set free on the right by Bazley.
Half-time saw the introduction of Hart for Tilston.
With a 3-0 cushion, Linnets started the second half much better than the first and they should perhaps have extended the lead.
Another dynamic run by Rotheram found McCabe six yards from goal but she was crowded out.
On 60 minutes, the Alty 'keeper made a smart save from an Ashley free-kick on the far left.
By this time, Gibbons, Lily Shakeshaft and Middleton had all entered the fray for the Yellows.
On 73 minutes, the 'keeper rescued Alty again as Beth Graham's snapshot was smartly saved low down.
Having seen many efforts saved, Linnets would be the next to concede - from an Alty corner.
Marking let the home side down as a visiting player was left free eight yards out.
Her attempt was deflected, but only into the path of a team-mate, who smuggled the ball home to make it 3-1.
A terrific last-ditch tackle from Gibbons made sure that Alty were then kept at a distance, Bellfield likewise doing well to hold on to a speculative 25-yard effort
The game fizzled out with few other efforts of note, Linnets going on to register their latest success in the league to keep themselves in second place.
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