Linnets turn the corner against Altrincham to book Cheshire Women's Cup semi-final spot

Altrincham Women 1 Runcorn Linnets Ladies 4

Linnets scorers Mollie Bennett (top photo), Chelsea Gillies (bottom left) and Jess Bazley.

A stirring second-half comeback saw Linnets reach the semi-finals of the GoCardless Cheshire FA Women's Cup at the expense of an Altrincham side they had already beaten at home in the league.

Linnets, lying fourth in North West Regional League Division One South,  welcomed back Saff Tilston and Beth Middleton into the squad for the tie against fourth-placed Robins at Partington Sports Village.

The visitors started well and a lofted ball over the Altrincham back line was met by Lile Ashley, who could and maybe should have given Linnets the lead on three minutes.

However, Olivia Kaleta made a great save.

Altrincham then grew into the game, beginning to win second balls to make possession and dominance difficult for Linnets to sustain.

A flurry of chances and wide deliveries from Altrincham were well defended by Runcorn before Alty eventually took the lead.

The ball was given away cheaply in the Linnets midfield and Emily Rutter found a gap in their defence to finish smartly past 'keeper Alex Bellfield.

Altrincham continued to come forward and despite efforts from Ashley and Lily Shakeshaft, Linnets were unable to restore parity.

Altrincham penned Linnets in and gained much joy down the right with Katie Locke delivering crosses into the box.

Altrincham were unfortunate not to add to their lead when firstly Georgia McKnight was denied by Bellfield. Millie Kullu then missed the target from close range after a dangerous cross to the back post.

Linnets rallied but without making many clear-cut chances and they remained in deficit at half-time.

They came out fighting in the second half and after a near miss from one Mollie Bennett corner they drew level from another.

Chelsea Gillies turned a shot home after a goalmouth scramble, the ball deflecting off an Altrincham defender on its way in.

Now in the ascendancy, Runcorn nearly added to their lead.

Picture by Neil Thornton

But Shakeshaft, pictured above, couldn't find the target when through on goal. The same player saw another strike hit the bar and bounce clear with Ashley also unable to convert.

Linnets wouldn't have to wait long, however. Corners were proving an Achilles heel for Altrincham.

Although Bennett's latest delivery was touched by a defender, the Runcorn striker was credited with the goal.

Tilston and Eva Whimperley entered the fray, replacing Ashley and Gabby Evans, before Linnets made it three.

As Altrincham penalty claims were rejected by the referee, Linnets swiftly turned defence into attack.

Bennett, released by 'keeper Bellfield, strode forward to unleash a 30-yard effort past the stranded Kaleta.

Molly Hewitt and Erin Roberts replaced Caitlin Gibbons and Shakeshaft before Linnets sealed the victory with a fourth.

Another Bennett corner found Jess Bazley to head home from close range.

Bellfield, having been relatively untested n the second half, saved comfortably from McKnight late on as Linnets managed the game well.

With Middleton having substituted for Aisling Hart, Linnets continued to press through Sophie Rotheram and Whimperley on the left.

They were unlucky to not make it five late on. As Altrincham struggled to clear, Roberts sent an expert ball across the six-yard box, but Rotheram couldn't turn it home.