Street builds on new-found strength in defence with U21s winner

Ashton Town Under 21s 0

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 1

Pictures by Kelly Jones

A seaaon's best defensive performance helped Linnets U21s climb out of the Premier Division drop zone in North West Under 21s Development League.

Keeping a first clean sheet, Linnets stretched their unbeaten run to three matches and came out on top thanks to a second-half goal from Joel Street.

Manager Ste Ellams said: "We needed thst big time and come away with three vital points.

"Alex (Ellams) in goal, along with Jay (Lee) and Charlie Ratcliffe as centre backs were umreal today."

Lee took.the McNamara's Sports Bar man-of-,the-match award.

The boss said,: 'It could have gone to a number of the defensive unit, such was the solidarity in defence.

Linnets grab the only goal of the game to avenge an opening-day defeat by Ashton.

"But in those last 10 minutes, as we were leading 1-0, one man stood strong and guided the team over the line with a colossal performance at the heart of the defence."

Runcorn are up to sixth in the 10-team division after Street's matchwining 65th-minute header.

They have won two and a drawn the other of their last three league games after a hat-trick of losses.

The hard-fought triumph at Edge Green Street saw Linnets settle a score for their 3-2 defeat by the same opponents on the opening day of the campaign.

This Sunday (November 8th), they head to Life Leisure Stockport Sports Village to face Cheadle Town Reds, a team they have already beaten at home by the odd goal in five.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: Alex Ellams, Callum Prince, Sam Hamling, Billy McNay, Jay Lee, Charlie Ratcliffe, Zack Kopanski, Tom Beswick,Josh Mather, Joel Street, Ben Crane. Subs (all used): Fin Ryan, Callum Dennett, Liam Taggart, Ole Croxton, Harry Huby.