Linnets victory brings significant Development in U21s title race

Zack Parker runs away, pursued by team-mates Arty Benjamin and Joel Street, after putting Linnets 2-1 up in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash.

Runcorn Linnets U21s 4 Warrington Town U21s 3

Report by Dave Bettley with match pictures by Neil Thornton.

Linnets survived sustained late pressure to end the 100% record of the North West Under 21s Development League's Premier Division leaders in this second-versus-top clash of Cheshire neighbours.

A superb first-half display had seen Runcorn hit back from conceding against the run of play with four goals of their own, including two spectacular efforts from Sam Stephens and Owen Cushion.

Town responded strongly after half-time, scoring twice from the spot but they couldn't quite wipe out the deficit in a storming finish.

Their second penalty came four minutes into added time. It then took some heroics from goalkeeper George Huyton and his defence to get Runcorn through to victory as two remaining minutes extended to four.

Linnets, still unbeaten in their debut top-flght campaign with five wins and a draw, now trail their fellow Yellows by five points but have played two games fewer.

Ben Crane takes a fall with a Warrington defender but Linnets picked themselves up, after going behind, to send the visitors tumbling to their first campaign defeat.

The hosts started brightly, Zack Parker and Ben Crane in turn testing the Warrington 'keeper with good shots.

But the visitors went in front from their first attack of any substance with an instinctive finish.

Their powerful No.10 Siraj Hussein connected well with a cross from the left.

Linnets continued to dominate, however, and believed they had equalised in the 22nd minute. Cushion's free-kick was headed on by Ben Crane for Ben Dobbie to lash into the roof of the net.

However, an offside flag was raised. Crane, leading the line in the absence of namesake Lewis, was sinbinned for dissent while Dobbie limped off, having taken a knock when forcing the ball in.

Although temporarily down to 10 men, Runcorn got back on terms two minutes later when skipper Jay Lee set up Stephens for a right-foot screamer from outside the box.

Owen Cushon's superb free-kick beats the defensive wall to leave Linnets three goals clear at half-time.

It was a goal from the moment the ball was struck with Town's 'keeper being beaten high to his right.

Linnets added a second nefore Crane could return to the field. Joel Street found right full back Callum Prince advancing on the right and his low cross was prodded home at the back post by Parker in the 34th minute.

Three minutes later, it was 3-1 with Lee getting first contact on a free-kick before Street's bravery in putting his body on the line was rewarded as an attempted clearance rebounded off him into the net.

Parker was proving very difficult for an overworked Warrington defence to pin down and when he was bundled over just outside the penalty area, Cushion made the visitors pay with a superb stoppage-time strike direct from the free-kick.

Town came out after the break to salvage pride if nothing else, and Linnets had to defend for long spells.

Warrington's forward momentum was briefly lost on the hour when midfielder Sam Gill was sinbinned, like Ben Crane for speaking out of turn to the referee.

Midfielder Arty Benjamin poses a problem for the Warrington 'keeper.

Street saw a shot on the turn go wide for Linnets but their lead was reduced in the 76th minute with Arty Benjamin conceding a penalty for a sliding challenge on Runcorn's right.

Gill, by now back in play, found the right corner with his spot-kick.

The onslaught continued with Huyton and Cushion combining to prevent a Warrington third in the 88th minute before the table toppers hit a post.

Four minutes into added time, with Linnets clinging on desperately, Town were awarded a second spot-kick. Cam Schofield was penalised for impeding a Warrington player running across him.

Gill dispatched the penalty in almost identical fashion to his first.

Huyton promptly pulled off another top save to seal man-of-the-match honours.

As Warrington pumped a last-gasp free-kick into the Runcorn box, a clearing header by Schofield heralded thd final whistle to the delight of Runcorn's players.

Captain Jay Lee shows a head for heights in a hard-earned Linnets win.

Their next match is on Sunday, November 9th at home to Warrington Rylands of Championship Division B in the NW U21s League Cup (ko 12pm).

Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Callum Prince, Sam Hamling, Owen Cushion, Jay Lee, Ben Dobbie (Cam Schofield, 23 mins), Zack Parker (Fin Harwood, 90+1 mins), Arty Benjamin, Ben Crane (Harry Vernon, 78 mins), Sam Stephens (Billy McNay, 84 mins), Joel Street. Sub (not used): Jaden Wright (GK).

Goalkeeper George Huyton was Thistledown Group man-of-the-match for Linnets.