Runcorn Linnets Ladies 5 Cheadle Town Ladies 0 (match played at Cheadle Town).

RUNCORN Linnets Ladies returned to winning ways on Sunday in reaching the Cheshire Women’s League Challenge Cup semi-finals with a polished, professional performance against a good, industrious and at times aggressive team.

In a tie switched from the Millbank Linnets Stadium to Cheadle Town’s Park Road Stadium, Linnets’ player of the match, Steph Hamel (weaving magically on the left wing) scored one and made two.

Marcia Jones-Sacharewicz, with clinical if not sublime finishing, scored a well-deserved hat-trick and was backed up by the guile and tenacity of Megan Pickering, who also got back on the scoresheet - making it a long afternoon for Cheadle’s defenders.

The Linnets took a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes, both goals coming from Jones-Sacharewicz. The first goal, on seven minutes, was assisted by captain Nat Pinnington in the Linnets goal with a huge clearance up field.

Cheadle, opting to defend with a high line, were caught out as the alert Jones-Sacharewicz easily beat the offside trap.

The 19-year-old striker, full of confidence, allowed the ball to bounce once before volleying with the outside of the boot from 18 yards, finding the bottom left corner. The ‘keeper made no attempt to save due to the quality of the finish.

Linnets pressed well, creating opportunities to increase the lead, Jones-Sacharewicz had another effort saved as did Hamel with a header from a Tempany Carlson corner.

The “visitors” doubled the lead. Hamel, working hard down the left, cut in and crossed to the far side where Jones-Sacharewicz, after controlling the ball, sidestepped a defender to power a superb shot across the ‘keeper into the top corner.

Linnets’ midfield had the measure of the “home” side, Mandy Kennedy and debutant Charlotte Kingham, a recent acquisition from Wigan Athletic, were not allowing Cheadle time to settle on the ball.

Cheadle, playing up the slope, created some dangerous situations but the Linnets held firm and Pinnington was not called upon too often. Tish Collins and Sadie Bouind coped comfortably as Town resorted to long balls.

The Linnets were more than happy to play from the back, the two aforementioned centre halves well supported by full backs Nichola Hyland and Lorna Bratt.

Jones-Sacharewicz hit the bar when well placed while Pickering, Hamel and Carlson all fired wide. On 40 minutes, Jones-Sacharewic went off with a foot injury, Hamel moving up top and substitute Mary Rossiter-Gurrell dropping in on the left wing.

The young player made an immediate impact by winning a corner, Carlson’s set piece being headed against the bar by Hamel.

With Cheadle attacking down the slope in the second half, backed by their somewhat boisterous coaching staff, the Linnets needed to dig deep and not concede early.

As Cheadle began to tire, more gaps appeared, Kennedy and Kingham both seeing shots go wide. It was no surprise when the third goal came on 71 minutes.

Hamel’s delightful through ball left scorer Pickering with time to place her shot past the advancing ‘keeper.

Carlson was now becoming more of a threat going forward although she along with Kennedy, Kingham and Rossiter-Gurrell worked endlessly in the midfield to prevent Cheadle getting a foothold.

The Linnets were now creating chances at will. On 75 minutes, under the league’s roll-on/roll-off rule, Jones-Sacharewicz returned for hard-working Pickering and the pattern continued as Runcorn pushed forward.

The Linnets made a couple more changes with Gabby Evans replacing right back Hyland and Evelin Zalavari coming on for Kingham in centre midfield. Both substituted players came off to a standing ovation from the Linnets contingent.

The long-threatened fourth goal came in the 90th minute. After progressing down the right, Carlson crossed to the far side from where Hamel collected, cut inside one defender, flatfooted another and unleashed a shot across the ‘keeper.

A minute into stoppage time, Jones-Sacharewicz forced a Cheadle back pass which carried no weight and the quick-reacting striker beat the ‘keeper to the ball before firing her hat-trick goal.

Linnets Ladies have a home draw in the semi-final, the tie versus Wallasey Wanderers on Sunday April 3rd taking place at Cheshire FA HQ, Moss Farm Recreation Ground, Northwich (2pm).

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Pinnington (capt), Bratt, Bond, Collins, Hyland (Evans), Hamel, Kennedy, Kingham (Zalavari), Carlson, Jones-Sacharewicz (Rossiter-Gurrell), Pickering.