HOLDERS Runcorn Linnets Ladies marched through to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Women's Football League Challenge Cup on Sunday, after emphatically beating Chester Women FC 4-1 at Boughton Hall Cricket Club.

This win ended the hoodoo that the Deva side had held over the Linnets Ladies throughout this current campaign, although manager John Pickering always knew his side was more than capable of such a devastating performance.

Runcorn were by far the more confident team in the opening 10 minutes, defender Nichola Hyland getting forward to unleash a tremendous long-range goalbound effort which took a deflection for a corner. The same player headed the set-piece wide.

With three minutes gone and after an innocuous "50-50" challenge with Linnets midfielder Becky Barker, Chester's game plan was thrown into turmoil when Billie Gifford could take no further part through injury.

After a couple of early Linnets chances, in the ninth minute tall Chester forward Katy Beattie's strike had Nat Pinnington rooted to the spot. Fortunately for Runcorn, the ball struck a post and reboubded into the relieved 'keeper's hands.

The Linnets continued to press forward but wasted a couple of good chances. Yet this was Chester`s best spell of the first half and led ably in midfield by Rebecca Tebb, twice the home side went close before the same player won a 22nd-minute penalty.

Tebb rode two challenges before going to ground on the third.Referee Anthony Smith had no option but to point to the spot.

Nat Pinnington`s determined double save must rank as one of the best.

The game was a real cup-tie now, ebbing and flowing. The Linnets found plenty of space through the productive Tempany Carlson on the right.

Butm just as you thought the half would end goalless, Chester took a 43rd-minute lead. Tebb, once again involved, ghosted through unchallenged to score.

Carlson brought out the best out of Chester 'keeper Nicola Burns, and then Megan Pickering mishit a glorious opportunity from a Carlson cross.

Manager John Pickering at half-time asked for a big effort as the Linnets would have the advantage of the considerable slope. Above all, Runcorn needed to relax in the final third.

The second half started with Runcorn still searching for that killer touch while Pinnington had to be alert to save well low at her right post.

Lucy Wieland and Frankie Valdez replaced Carlson and Pickering, respectively before on the hour, Kim Roberts came on for the immaculate Jo Finnegan because of illness.

Striker Beth Coppin took up the centre half position alongside the impressive Sadie Bond.

Within five minutes Valdez, with shades of an inspired substitution, capitalised as the hosts failed to clear from a free kick. The energetic young striker hit a right-foot effort past Burns to level.

The visiting front three of Wieland, Valdez and the all-action Roberts were, with their combjbed pace, creating problems for Chester.

As the hosts tired, gaps appeared and latching on to a superb ball from midfield general Mandy Kennedy, Barker beat the offside trap, coolly rounded the 'keeper and slotted in number two on 67 minutes.

Pickering resumed after 76 minutes for Barker, the midfielder struggling with cramp, and made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute by getting on the end of Wieland`s sublime pass.

Pickering, looking more like her old self, nearly made it four a minute later.

Runcorn were certainly not settling for a 3-1 score. Valdez hit the bar before soon after sealing the victory. The scorer has reinvented herself in recent weeks and begun to fulfil her potential.

Pinnington was Linnets PoM for heroic goalkeeping but special praise goes to the engine room of Kennedy, Chelsea Gillies and Barker, who must be one of the best combinations in the league.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Pinnington (capt), Duran Anca, Finnegan (Roberts 60) Bond, Hyland, Gillies, Kennedy, Carlson, (Wieland 57) Barker (Pickering 76) Coppin, Pickering (Valdez 57). Subs (not used): Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, Beth Graham.