Runcorn Linnets Ladies 8 Stockport County HNR 2

IN a match switched to the opposition`s home ground at Stockport Grammar School, and littered with bizarre refereeing decisions, the Linnets secured an emphatic victory.

By so doing, the defending Cheshire Women's League champions climbed back to third in the table.

As early as the first minute, Megan Pickering released Tempany Carlson with a neat headed pass but nobody could reach the wide midfielder's enticing cross.

Stockport nearly took the lead in the third minute when their powerful forward, having looked way offside, was allowed to continue but the chance went begging.

On 13 minutes, the Linnets believed they should have had a penalty when striker Pickering was flattened but the referee deemed it to be shoulder to shoulder, the decision infuriating the Linnets bench.

Runcorn finally took the lead on 23 minutes from Carlson's right-sided corner, Barker pouncing at the far post to shoot past a static HNR defence.

Within a minute, the same scorer added a fine individual effort from Mary Rossiter-Gurrell's timely pass.

HNR were back in it at 2-1 on 29 minutes, Jade Bentley converting from a tight angle after getting past the despairing dive of Nat Pinnington and the best efforts of Sadie Bond and Gabby Evans.

The Linnets' failure to settle in the first half, allied to glaring missed chances and an inability to pick out correctly-weighted passes, meant they went in at half-time with a slender lead.

With manager John Pickering having spoken at half-time about the crucial next goal, what the Linnets didn't need was to concede again within 60 seconds.

Keeper Pinnington, opting to send a high ball upfield when both full backs had made space for an easy pass out to the wings, saw the ball come directly back towards the Linnets' goal.

The defence was caught flat footed by the unsighted Stockport forward Clare Lee, who ghosted in for 2-2.

The shock of being pegged back so early merely galvanised the Linnets, who regained the lead through a powerful Mandy Kennedy drive three minutes later.

The midfielder dispossessed the HNR defence on the edge of their penalty area to unleash a right-foot rocket.

After a couple more missed chances and a Carlson disallowed goal for a somewhat questionable offside decision, the Linnets were indebted to defender Gabby Evans - the elegant right back blocking at the near post, when it looked certain Stockport would score to level again.

Almost immediately, Linnets' Player of the Match Kennedy fed in Pickering to round the 'keeper to make it 4-2.

This two-goal cushion allowed Runcorn to settle and, on 65 minutes, they were rewarded with a penalty for a blatant push on Carlson.

Up stepped Pickering to despatch it past 'keeper Kelly Wilson for 5-2.

On 68 minutes, Pinnington was adjudged to have picked up a back pass from a Gillies interception.

The free-kick was saved by Pinnington and cleared by Bond.

Ashley, at the other end, brought a great save on 70 minutes.

Pickering, after beating the offside trap and rounding the 'keeper, somehow managed to miss an open goal.

She was played in again by Kennedy on 75 minutes, the striker this time being brought down 20 yards outside the area when running clear for a one v one with the 'keeper.

Carlson’s free-kick sailed over the bar.

Two minutes later, another Kennedy through ball released Pickering, the striker unselfishly passed the ball back for Carlson to score but the referee denied the goal, ruling offside against Carlson.

Ashley, excellent on her introduction as a sub, made a fine solo run down the left and, this time, ensured the lead was extended to 6-2 on 79 minutes - the young player cutting inside the full back to slot through the legs of the 'keeper.

The Linnets' midfield trio of Chelsea Gillies, Kennedy and Emma McLarney were now creating chances at will and a minute later, it was 7-2 as Pickering completed her hat-trick with a rebound to a parried shot.

McLarney, decisive throughout, played in Lile Ashley wide left, the youngster showing maturity beyond her years. When she could have shot herself, Ashley instead rolled the ball across the six-yard box for Ana Duran Anca to tap home the final Linnets goal.

This was the type of calm composure manager Pickering had been asking the Linnets Ladies to produce all game.

  Runcorn Linnets: Nat Pinnington, Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, Jo Finnegan, Sadie Bond, Gabby Evans (Ana Duran Anca 61) Chelsea Gillies (Steph Woods-Hughes 85) Mandy Kennedy, Emma McLarney, Becky Barker (Lile Ashley 56) Megan Pickering, Tempany Carlson (Nichola Hyland 82). Other sub: Lorna Cairns.