THERE was a international flavour to Runcorn Linnets Ladies’ first pre-season friendly against Three Lions United 98/99  - a touring team from Indiana, USA.

The 2015-16 Cheshire Women’s League double winners took up where they left off last season with a convincing victory to give new manager John Pickering a flying start.

The Linnets’ initial line-up was largely familiar but featured a couple of new faces – Ana Duran Anca at right back along with centre midfield player Frankie Valdez.

Megan Pickering, from a midfield position, released strike partner Marcia Jones Sacharewicz who beat guest keeper Nat Pinnington, Linnets’ regular No1, in the Three Lions goal for 1-0 after two minutes.

On 19 minutes, indecision in the tourists’ rearguard led to Pickering making it 2-0 - slotting home as the opposition ‘keeper was left exposed. Two minutes later, it was three as Pickering’s clever, diagonal cross behind the defence allowed Jones-Sacharewicz to slot home.

But as they did so often last season, Runcorn swiftly responded to the danger. Another Pickering strike on 32 minutes made it 4-0, after good approach play from Tempany Carlson and Jones-Sacharewicz had helped to work the opening.

With half-time looming, the Yellow and Green Ladies went forward with purpose once again. On 42 minutes. Jones-Sacharewicz’s delightful through ball provided Pickering with her hat-trick effort.

The Linnets made 10 changes at the start of the second half, but the scoring continued with Ashley making it 6-0 on 52 minutes.

The Linnets added their seventh on 78 minutes when Coppin made the most of an excellent through ball to slot past the advancing ‘keeper.

On this second-half display, the long-term future of Runcorn Linnets’ senior women’s side looks to be bright.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies (Starting XI): Charlotte Dumbebin, Ana Duran Anca, Sadie Bond, Tish Collins, Gabby Evans; Kim Roberts, Frankie Valdez, Mandy Kennedy, Tempany Carlson; Megan Pickering, Marcia Jones-Sacharewicz.