Rollercoaster start to the season for Ladies

Chester Ladies 5, Runcorn Linnets Ladies 3

In Sunday’s North West Women's League opener, Runcorn Linnets Ladies travelled to old foes Chester Ladies, a team which they met on numerous occasions last season.

In front of a healthy Division One South crowd of 155 at Deva Stadium, the game served up its usual rollercoaster of emotions with a troubling end for the visitors, who saw a 3-1 lead disappear.

Linnets had made a promising start, a number of opportunities falling the way of Molly Hewitt and Mollie Bennett.

The breakthrough came in the ninth minute from a finely shot from Bennett (pictured) above).

Linnets had a couple of chances to double the lead.

Chester also pushed for a leveller and following a flurry of corners and quick play down the Linnets left, they were awarded a dubious penalty.

Goalkeeper Alex Bellfield was adjudged to have fouled her opponent when punching the ball clear. The penalty was dispatched well to level the scores.

Chester threatened largely from set-pieces, putting a header over the bar on 30 minutes.

Tenacious play from Lile Ashley saw her smash and effort against the bar from 25 yards.

It didn’t take long for Ashley to create further havoc, capitalising on a handling error by the 'keeper, who then dragged her down in front of goal.

Chelsea Gillies converted from the spot for a 2-1 half-time lead.

The second half started brightly again for Linnets, despite a few efforts from Chester Ladies being thwarted by Bellfield in the goal and smart defending.

Linnets eventually made the second-half breakthrough.

An audacious 35-yard lob saw Mollie Bennett bag her brace.

Linnets could have increased the lead, Jess Bazley going through twice one on one but being thwarted both times by the Chester 'keeper.

In the 83rd minute, things started to go horribly wrong for Linnets as Chester took advantage of some uncharacteristic mistakes.

The visitors switched off as firstly, a speculative cross found its way directly into their goal before conceding the game's third penalty kick from which Chester levelled on 86 minutes.

Linnets found themselves struggling to stem the tide and despite new signing Sophie Rotheram (pictured above) having a half chance late on, they were stung again.

A 30-yard strike that seemed to wrong foot the goalkeeper to enter the goal near side before a fifth Chester goal killed the game off.

A defensive header played the hosts through, their striker getting to the ball before the on- rushing Bellfield.

It had been a last 10 minutes to forget for Linnets, who until that point had been resolute and fairly comfortable.

They will be determined that this early slip-up does not derail their high ambitions for the season.

Linnets had played well for 80 minutes and need to reproduce that level of performance consistently, while keeping together a fully-fit squad, to achieve their targets.

Linnets will look to bounce back at home against Liverpool Feds Reserves tomorrow (Wednesday) to get their season on a positive trajectory.

Kick off at APEC Taxis Stadium is at 7.30pm.