Ashley’s trick confounds Altrincham as Linnets fly off with points

Altrincham Ladies Res 1 Runcorn Linnets Ladies 3 A TREBLE from striker Lile Ashley spurred a well-earned Linnets Ladies victory, ending second-placed Altrincham Ladies Reserves’ unbeaten run in the Cheshire Women’s League Premier Division.

Linnets manager John Pickering’s first job was to put the decision of whether to play the game in the players’ hands as the home boss announced there was no referee.

To have pulled out of the game would only have led to the home side claiming the points. So the game kicked-off with an Altrincham Reserves official taking the whistle.

In the first minute, Runcorn were penalised on the edge of their area as the ball struck a Linnets hand as it reared up off the uneven surface.

The free-kick beat Megan Pickering high in the centre of goal.

The Linnets’ response was almost immediate.

Ashley rattled the bar with a rasping shot before striking twice in as many minutes, after being played in by Tempany Carlson and Mandy Kennedy, for a 2-1 lead after 12 minutes.

The home side’s first real shot from open play came on 19 minutes.

As Runcorn players appealed for offside, the referee had waved play on, but the Altrincham forward blazed high and wide of the target.

Minutes later, again with a Robins forward clearly offside, the referee allowed an attack to continue. Tish Edwards made up ground to make a brilliant tackle inside the penalty area.

Marcia Jones-Sacharewicz skimmed the top of the Altincham bar, the last meaningful action of a half in which Runcorn had produced some great passing moves despite the bumpy surface.

At half-time, Linnets boss Pickering urged his players to remain calm and try to finish the game before it reached the latter stages.

Early in the second half Linnets players were incensed as Becky Barker appeared to be pushed to the ground in the home penalty area, but no award for a spot-kick followed.

Megan Pickering produced a superb one-handed save to deny Altrincham on 62 minutes.

At the other end of the field, a Lucy Wieland cross struck an Altrincham hand in the box but the benefit of the doubt went with the home side.

Ashley, well placed to seal victory on 69 minutes, shot over the top.

However, she made no mistake with her next chance, capitalising on a mistake in the home defence on 78 minutes to find the corner of the home side’s goal to confirm the destiny of the points.

This was an excellent win all things considered – the Linnets’ defence deserve particular praise with substitutes Mary RossiterGurrell and Jade Walton – the latter having replacing injured Jo Finnegan – aiding their efforts. ● Linnets Ladies entertain Chester City Ladies at the Millbank Linnets Stadium this Sunday (kick-off 2pm).