Under 21s lose 100 % record but stay unbeaten

Man of the match Owen Cushion. Picture by KELLY JONES

Runcorn Linnets dropped their first points of the season in the North West Under 21s Development League in a 3-3 draw at Stalybridge Celtic.

The Crane boys scored all the visiting goals in a topsy-turvy affair at Bower Fold, top scorer Lewis with two more to his ever-growing tally on 50 and 53 minutes.

Ben, no relation, struck the goal of the game in the 65th to make the scoresheet for a second successive Sunday.

Linnets were guilty of missed chances and sloppy defending in a poor first-half display.

They could have no complaints at Celtic taking a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Runcorn showed great character in their response after the restart, surging into a 3-1 lead.

But the last 15 minutes were again disappointing from Linnets, as the Tamesiders got back on level terms.

Their goals came from Nathal Fontaine (2) and substitute John Joel Sutton.

The result leaves Linnets still unbeaten in their debut top-flight campaign with 13 points from five games.

The Yellow & Greens lie in third spot with a better goal difference than fourth-placed Stalybridge on whom they have a game in hand.

Runcorn trail Kidsgrove in second by two points but have played two games fewer.

Leaders Warrington Town have a maximum 21 points from their seven games and are currently six points clear of the rest.

Warrington are Linnets' next opponents in a league match this Sunday at APEC TAXIS Stadium. Kick off is at 2pm and admission free.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: Huyton, Prince, Hamling, Cushion, Lee, Dobbie, Ben Crane, McNay (Benjamin), Lewis Crane (Vernon), Kopanski (Parker), Street. Subs (not used): Wright, Ratcliffe.

Linnets man of the match: Owen Cushion.