Linnets U21s issue further reminder of title ambition

Zack Parker pounces to put Linnets two up at Ashville. PICTURES BY KELLY JONES.

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s maintained pressure on the North West Development League's Championship B top three with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Ashville 2nds.

The Linnets substitute runs back towards his team-mates to celebrate doubling the lead.

Linnets had to fight for supremacy against their bottom-half hosts on a difficult surface.

Top scorer Lewis Crane gave the visitors a precious 65th-minute lead with his 23rd of the season at U21s level.

Zack Parker came off the bench to double the advantage in the 80th.

The Wallasey hosts replied virtually on full-time but Runcorn saw out five minutes added for stoppages to take the points.

Linnets had mustered only half chances in the first half and were indebted to Alex Ellams for a fantastic save on the 30-minute mark.

Crane produced a special finish for the eventual opener after a great ball in from right back Callum Prince.

Right back Callum Prince was heavily involved in both Linnets goals.

The pair combined again to engineer Linnets' second with Crane squaring the ball for Parker to finish well.

Ellams had to make a couple more good saves in a more open second half to push his claims for man-of-the-match honours.

These proved crucial with Ashville registering late on.

Asnafi Shamari reflects on his man-of-the-match performance.

But the award went to Asnafi Shamari, who drew fouls and won possession so many times in a standout midfield display.

There was a Linnets debut off the bench for new signing from Runcorn Sports Eneil Gumbs, the younger brother of first teamer Eden, himself a graduate of the U21s team.

Eneil Gumbs (left) soon gets involved as he combines with opening goal scorer Lewis Crane.

Runcorn remain in fourth spot, three points behind Kidsgrove Athletic, who won 5-2 at Warrington Rylands, but with two games in hand.

Table-topping Nantwich Town, 5-2 winners over Vulcan, stay 12 points clear of Linnets, having played seven games more.

With second-placed Northwich Victoria going down 4-1 at Fleetwood Town, their advantage over Runcorn is reduced to four points with Linnets having four matches in hand.

A hectic end-of-season fixture list for Runcorn Linnets U21continues with an evening fixture this Thursday (April 3) at home to Huyton.

It's a 7.45pm kick-off at APEC Taxis Stadium. Admission is free and all support welcome.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: Alex Ellams, Callum Prince, Ben Dobbie, Asnafi Shamari (Finlay Harwood, 80 mins), Cameron Schofield, Jay Lee, Macauley Clifton (Eneil Gumbs, 64 mins), Sam Stephens, (Billy McNay, 64 mins), Lewis Crane, Jaden Ditchfield (Zack Parker, 70 mins), Harry Vernon (Josh Elverstone, 45 mins).

A quieter moment for Alex Ellams but the U21s 'keeper made some great saves.