Runcorn Linnets Ladies soared to a fourth consecutive pre-season win on Sunday, beating Airbus Ladies 5-0 in North Wales.

They were flying from the start and Mandy Kennedy opened the scoring within two minutes of the kick-off - midfield partner Chelsea Gillies having freed Kennedy, who sped away from a covering defender to convert past the advancing goalkeeper.

Runcorn increased their lead in the 18th minute. The energetic and lively Frankie Valdez scored a brilliant effort from a very acute angle, shooting above the ‘keeper into the far top corner for 2-0.

Credit goes to Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, the left full back, for releasing winger Kim Roberts to influence the scoring move. Roberts passed square to Beth Coppin on the edge of the area for the forward to tee up Valdez.

Three minutes later, Runcorn had a 3-0 advantage and at this stage, they threatened to run away with this game.

Coppin scored for the fourth match in a row, again the highly-influential Roberts instrumental in playing in the striker to finish.

The home side made six changes to their original starting 11 around the 25th-minute mark and gave the visitors something new to think about.

But a back four of Rossiter-Gurrell, Ana Duran Anca, Sadie Bond (skippering the side) and Nichola Hyland remained solid and played safe when needed, backed up by a stand-in ‘keeper - Linnets’ top goal scorer for the past two seasons, Megan Pickering.

Going forward, Runcorn had numerous chances to extend the lead. Coppin, Valdez and winger Lucy Wieland, who had an outstanding debut, all went close.

At the start of the second half, Beth Graham replaced the impressive Roberts on the left and Emma McLarney took up a central midfield position, alongside Kennedy - in place of the equally impressive Gillies, who is showing much promise for the senior Ladies side.

McLarney and Graham didn’t take long to make their mark. Graham timed her run down the left and McLarney’s perfectly-weighted pass sent the winger on a run into the box. This culminated in an early shot to beat the ‘keeper low to her right for 4-0.

Airbus threatened at times but poor finishing let them down. Pickering had to be alert for one effort, diving to her left to keep out a raking drive before getting up quickly to recover the loose ball.

Runcorn made another change on 60 minutes, Jade Green coming on at left back for Rossiter-Gurrell.

Chelsea Gillies returned in a forward role, for the Linnets pre-season top scorer Coppin. McLarney was twice unlucky not to score as Graham sent in a well-placed corner for the sub midfielder to head against the bar.

McLarney was later to also hit a post from a 15 yards.

Similarly, Beth Graham saw a fine effort come back off the bar, the ‘keeper making a good save from Gillies’ follow-up attempt in the 69th minute.

However, a minute later, Runcorn made it 5-0, Gillies again in the thick of the action.

The stand-in forward’s shot bounced back off a defender to the edge of the area from where Kennedy’s powerful, first-time effort brought her second goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, Steph Woods-Hughes entered the game in place of Wieland while Roberts returned for Valdez.

With time running out, Roberts hit a cross-cum-shot from the right, the ball evading the ‘keeper, bouncing up on to the underside of the bar and to safety.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Megan Pickering, Nichola Hyland, Sadie Bond (capt), Ana Duran Anca, Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, Lucy Wieland, Mandy Kennedy, Chelsea Gillies, Kim Roberts, Beth Coppin, Frankie Valdez. Subs: Emma McLarney, Beth Graham, Jade Green, Steph Woods-Hughes. Not used: Rebecca Woods-Hughes.