Ladies ruin Chester’s chances of title triumph

CHESTER FC WOMEN................. 1 RUNCORN LINNETS LADIES..... 2 LINNETS Ladies celebrated a win in the final game of their NW Regional Women’s League season.

Chester FC Women had been in with a shot of the Division One South title, until the Linnets showed up to spoil the party.

Before kick-off, manager David Todd had asked the team to demonstrate the hard-working qualities of recent weeks, having come off the back of three straight wins.

The Linnets started on the front foot as Lile Ashley won a ball high in the opposition’s half to force an early save from the Chester ‘keeper.

Ashley was rewarded moments later as she magnificently curled home a long-distance effort via an upright.

Ellie Dyson following up for safe measure but Ashley was awarded the goal as the ball was deemed to have crossed the line.

The home side soon showed their qualities as a slick move down the left resulted in a fantastic effort from which they drew level as it flashed across ‘keeper Chloe Jordan.

This was a very important moment in the game as Chester began to dominate and use the ball to stretch the Linnets in defence.

Lucy Wieland and Beth Graham did an excellent job both on the wings and centrally to prevent Chester playing into their No.9, who was always a threat.

Moments later, Wieland found herself in on goal as Becky Barker’s switch ball landed at her feet but the ‘keeper dived to her right to take the ball.

Just before half-time, Ashley was bundled over and awarded a free-kick 20 yards out.

There was a very familiar outcome as she whipped a shot across the diving ‘keeper, her effort going in off a post to restore the Linnets advantage.

Chester totally dominated possession in the second 45 but the Linnets were content enough to allow the opposition the ball but without conceding chances.

Erin Roberts latched on to a throw-in to lash a shot over as Linnets threatened on the counter.

Marcia Jones-Sacharewicz was in on goal moments later as Beth Graham’s through ball set her away but her lobbed effort agonisingly going over the bar.

Within the last 10 minutes, the Linnets found a second wind, Jess Bazley and Wieland racing through as the away side looked to kill the game.

The full time whistle celebrated by all as the Linnets clinched a fourth win in a row to secure a sixth-placed finish in the 11-team division, Chester having to concede the league title to Curzon Ashton.