RUNCORN Linnets Ladies returned from Wirral Oval with a comfortable 4-1 Cheshire Women's League victory over Wallasey Wanderers, writes Neil Philip Thornton.

The visitors were on the front foot from the first whistle - Becky Barker, with less than a minute on the clock. putting in a cross from the left touchline which striker Megan Pickering couldn`t quite strike on the full.

In the fourth minute Tempany Carlson was freed to come inside by Pickering`s exquisite back heel and the winger coolly curled the ball beyond the home 'keeper into the bottom left corner for the Linnets' first goal.

As in the corresponding fixture at the Millbank in September, Runcorn couldn`t quite capitalise (initially at least) on this early opening, despite having several good chances and holding the territorial dominance.

Emma McLarney and Jo Finnegan came closest to adding to Wallasey`s woes.

Lile Ashley replaced the injured Barker in the 19th minute and had a rasping effort well held by the home 'keeper on 38 minutes. Beth Coppin returned after suspension to replace Pickering on 44 minutes.

Up to sustaining her injury Barker had been having a fine game on the left of the Linnets' front three.

Giving too much possession away and going for balls over the top, rather than through the Wallasey defence, were the one negatives from the Linnets' first-half performance.

What Runcorn needed was early second-half goal and it came on 49 minutes when Mandy Kennedy played a fine ball through for Coppin to chase. Pressuring a defender and the advancing 'keeper, the striker came off best, passing the ball into an empty net to double the lead.

Carlson hit the corner of the crossbar and post two minutes later and this was followed by great movement in the box by Coppin, whose shot also struck the bar with the 'keeper stranded.

On 63 minutes, Beth Graham (also returning from suspension) replaced the hard -working and energetic Chelsea Gillies.

Runcorn were now creating better chances, working the ball shorter and looking to take advantage of any openings that came their way.

The younger players seemed to have added a new dimension to the Linnets' play Ashley was at her most consistent while after her three-game absence, Beth Coppin picked up as if she had never been away.

On 70 minutes, Runcorn replaced full backs Ana Duran Anca and Mary Rossiter- Gurrell with Nichola Hyland and Lorna Cairns. respectively.

Almost immediately, Coppin further extended the lead with a fine shot high into the Wallasey goal, from just inside the area.

The home side pulled a goal back on 83 minutes from a corner, a moment’s lack of concentration spoiling what should have been a clean sheet for the Linnets Ladies - much to the annoyance of 'keeper Nat Pinnington.

On 84 minutes, the final goal of the afternoon was scored by Player of the Match McLarney, who had been threatening to hit the net in previous games. She scored from a sweet volley inside the 18-yard box, leaving the home 'keeper with no chance.

The assist went to the hard-working Ashley, who raided down the right wing to deliver the cross.

So an ultimately emphatic victory for the Linnets but commiserations to Wallasey Wanderers, who had played some very good football to belie their position in the league.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Nat Pinnington, Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, (Lorna Cairns 70) Jo Finnegan, Sadie Bond, Ana Duran Anca (Nichola Hyland 70) Chelsea Gillies (Beth Graham 63) Mandy Kennedy, Emma McLarney, Becky Barker (Lile Ashley 19) Megan Pickering (Beth Coppin 44) Tempany Carlson.