Linnets Ladies prove they can stand the heat
RUNCORN Linnets Ladies came through an energysapping double header under the sun at APEC Taxis Stadium with flying colours.
Although beaten 1-0 and 3-1, visiting Didsbury are to be commended after battling through holiday Sunday traffic with just nine available players for an early kick-off to the first game at noon.
Well organised defensively, the visitors kept the Linnets at bay until the second half when a forceful run by Lile Ashley saw her brought down by the Didsbury ‘keeper.
Up stepped Chelsea Gillies to smash the penalty home.
The second game had been scheduled to kick off at 1.45pm but was delayed while Didsbury reenforced with a tenth player.
The Linnets made an electric start with a goal in the first 60 seconds, Gillies feeding Ashley to score.
The visitors quickly equalised before Gillies set up Jess Bazley to restore the Runcorn lead.
The pass of the game came from Gabby Evans, who found Ashley for her second of the match.
So a successful six-point return for Runcorn Linnets Ladies.
Manager Dave Todd commended his team for racking up three straight victories for the first time in the North West Regional League.
The Linnets’ turnaround has been outstanding with seven wins being added to the one they achieved before Christmas.
They stand sixth in Division One South table and only the top two, Curzon Ashton and Chester, can boast better recent form than the Linnets.
Runcorn used a squad of 14 across the two games, the players being Jordan, Gibbons, Graham, Barker, Middleton, Wieland, Gillies, Bazley, McLarney, Dyson, Ashley, Roberts, Cawley and Evans.