Under 21s clinch top-three finish with convincing return to form

Runcorn Linnets U21s 4 UDA Soccer Cestrians 0

Linnets put defeats in their last two games firmly behind them to secure at least third place on debut in the North West Under 21s Development League's Premier Division.

They are currently second with leaders Warrington Town needing one point from their last two games to finish above Linnets. 

Stalybridge Celtic could yet overtake both as they work through a major fixture backlog.

The hosts were determined from the start to avoid a repeat of home losses in the last week to FC United of Manchester and Nantwich Town.

Full of energy, they raced into a three-goal lead inside 24 minutes and held off a spirited comeback from the Chester visitors in the second half.

Linnets had gone ahead in the ninth minute when Ben Dobbie, starting on the left of a home back five, rattled a low shot from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner.

It took an athletic save to deny the hosts a quick second after midfielder Tom Beswick had taken a return pass from right wing-back Callum Prince to instantly go for goal.

Runcorn were setting a high tempo and extended their lead in the 21st minute.

With the Chester-based visitors screaming for a foul in the build-up, Lewis Crane romped clear to finish low inside the left post.

That's 25 goals for Crane in his 15 Under-21s outings this season to supplement his eight at first-team level.

Before UDA could recover, Runcorn scored again. Macauley Clifton's right-wing corner bypassed players at the near post.

But Charlie Ratcliffe, one of Runcorn's three centre backs, forced the ball home from almost on the goal line.

Cestrians had their best spell just before half-time but were unable to breach Runcorn's defence and upon the restart, they enjoyed a bigger share of the play - with a similar result.

George Huyton kept the away side out with two great saves and in between, Joel Street stormed through to beat the visiting 'keeper one on one for the only goal of the second half.

After using all four outfield replacements at half-time and making further changes as substituted players rolled back on to the field, Linnets reverted to a back four.

They ought to have scored again when Street's fellow substitute Zack Parker beat the offside trap to run clear of the Cestrians' defence.

But having been forced wide, he could only find the side netting.

Manager Ste Ellams was delighted with the response from the players after a deflating week, which had seen Runcorn's title hopes disappear - barring a miracle.

He commented: "A much-needed clean sheet in a new shape with some great football played. We looked really compact out of possession."

The Thistledown Group man-of-the-match award went to centre midfielder Zack Kopanski, who his manager admitted had been "outstanding throughout" and "covered every blade of grass".

The only blemish was the sinbinning of Ben Crane for dissent. This saw him miss the last 10 minutes.

Linnets' U21s play their penultimate league fixture at Charnock Richard on Easter Sunday before welcoming Hyde United (Prem) on Sunday, April 12th.

On Sunday, April 19th, the team has a Premier Division Trophy semi-final against fourth-placed FC United, who cannot now catch Linnets in the league.

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s: George Huyton, Callum Prince, Ben Dobbie, Charlie Ratcliffe, Jay Lee, Cameron Schofield, Tom Beswick, Zack Kopanksi, Lewis Crane, Macauley Clifton, Ben Crane. Subs: Theo Papadopoulos, Zack Parker, Joel Street, Sam Hamling. Not used: Alex Ellams (GK).