Spirited Linnets fight back to share spoils
CHESTER FC WOMEN.............................. 3 RUNCORN LINNETS LADIES.................. 3
RUNCORN LINNETS LADIES finally got some kind of reward for their recent efforts as they fought back from a 3-1 deficit on Sunday to claim a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw at table-topping Chester FC Women.
Linnets’ play over the last few weeks had not brought the results it deserved.
But if this game had been five minutes longer, Runcorn might well have taken all three Cheshire Women’s League points as the division pacesetters looked very nervous indeed in the closing stages.
Chester’s early pressure saw them earn two early corners and they looked particularly dangerous throughout from set-pieces.
Chances were at a premium for both sides in the first half so it was no surprise that the opening goal came from a set play.
Tempany Carlson scored direct from a free-kick, needlessly conceded by the hosts just outside their box.
Runcorn’s lead was short-lived as Chester equalised from a free-kick of their own just four minutes later.
Chester lost a player through serious injury and as the game was interrupted, the heavens opened to unleash a furious hailstorm.
Linnets goalkeeper Rebekah Durr had to be alert in the 32nd minute, tipping a long-range effort on to her crossbar as the home side looked to get their noses in front.
Chester exerted more pressure on the Linnets’ defence with a string of corners but the sides went into the break all square at 1-1. ●
Just after half-time, Tish Collins was denied by a goalline clearence after another Carlson free-kick.
The home side began to have their best spell in the game, resulting in them going ahead in the 67th minute as Runcorn failed to clear the ball quickly enough.
Three minutes later, half-time Linnets substitute Megan Pickering was taken off injured after a debatable challenge on the byeline. Cracks in Chester’s discipline were beginning to appear.
Carlson struck the home bar before Chester increased their lead in the 78th minute, a static Linnets’ rearguard appealing in vain for offside.
At this stage, the points looked in the bag for Chester but, in the 81st minute, the home goalkeeper pulled off a miraculous save at the near post to deny a Carlson effort.
Whether the goalkeeper knew anything about it is open to question.
But, seconds later, after dancing delightfully through the defence, Carlson found the net to make it game on again – with nine minutes to go.
Five minutes from time, Pickering (having returned to the field in a roll on, roll off change) evaded the home defence before being taken down by the advancing goalkeeper. Pickering picked herself up to convert the spot-kick low to the left, making it 3-3.
It now looked like only one team was going to win but in an entertaining game which was a credit to both sides, honours ended even.