Linnets Ladies made to battle before booking last-eight place in cup

Runcorn Linnets Ladies 4 Wallasey Wand Ladies 1 RUNCORN Linnets Ladies progressed into the quarterfinals of the Cheshire FA Ladies Cup for the first time but their passage was far from comfortable.

Team manager John Pickering, although delighted the fledgling club has now gone further than ever before in the county’s premier women’s knockout competition, described the performance as “huff and puff”.

Wallasey had of late produced some very encouraging performances in league encounters while also even eliminating top side Chester Women FC in the previous round of this competition and confidence gained showed in their early play.

Linnets, hoping to wipe away the memory of a defeat two weeks ago, started tentatively.

But they did force the first corner in the second minute when Mandy Kennedy, who would go on to win the player-of-the-match award, put Tempany Carlson through on the right.

At the other end, a timely tackle by Sadie Bond averted danger before good approach play by Frankie Valdez allowed Becky Barker to shoot wide from outside the box.

In the 13th minute, Jo Finnegan ventured forward to strike the bar with a tremendous effort from 22 yards. A minute later, from Carlson’s corner, Ana Duran Anca opened the scoring for Linnets with a free header.

During the middle period of the half, Runcorn could and should have extended the lead before Wallasey equalised on 27 minutes.

Runcorn were caught ball watching instead of tracking a run by Wallasey No 10, Rachael Bailey who nipped in to lob the ball over goalkeeper Nat Pinnington.

On 33 minutes, Beth Coppin, who had the visitors’ central defensive pairing beaten for pace all game, raced clear from a perfect Duran Anca pass and rounded the keeper to restore the hosts’ lead.

The first half ended with Wallasey pressurising the Runcorn goal, winning a succession of corners with attractive approach play.

But Linnets defended with a resolve not seen in the last few games – particularly at set-pieces – to keep the visitors out.

The Runcorn players admitted at half-time that the opposition had played the better football.

Boss Pickering talked about the trouble the team had been having in keeping its shape and how he wanted them to react to certain situations, especially the second ball.

The visitors had an early effort on 49 minutes but the chance was blazed high and wide over the bar.

Seven minutes later, a now more confident Carlson was played through down the right. Racing into the box, she picked out Valdez at the far post where the youngster coolly sidefooted in the third Linnets’ goal.

On 64 minutes, a double substitution by Linnets saw Kim Roberts make her first appearance of the season in place of Valdez while Lucy Wieland came on for Barker.

Runcorn began to exploit the weaknesses of a Wallasey side, which had just a bare starting XI, as tiredness crept in. Lile Ashley replaced Carlson on 71 minutes.

Several chances went begging before Wieland’s exquisite flick allowed Linnets to break out of defence, after an outstanding and perfectlytimed Chelsea Gillies tackle.

The move finished with Ashley calmly slotting the ball under the advancing Wallasey Wanderers goalkeeper for the fourth and final Linnets goal.

Manager Pickering said he was pleased with the result and some of the positives gained from the game, but admitted his team still have a lot more to give on the pitch.

He added: “This was only the second game in eight weeks for the Ladies and it feels like we are starting our season all over again.

“We need to get match fit and build up a momentum. Today gives us that first step and also gives the players a lift ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup game and the start of our defence of the trophy won last season.”