RUNCORN Linnets Ladies secured a highly-creditable third-placed finish in Cheshire Women's & Youth League's Open Age Division, but without kicking a ball unfortunately on the final day of the regular season.

The end to the campaign was bitter sweet with Linnets Ladies left kicking their heels when scheduled visitors Witton Albion Ladies for the second time in recent weeks couldn't get a side together to play at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

This time the points were awarded to John Pickering's team but that was no real consolation for the manager, who had badly wanted to put his players through their paces one last time before an appearance in the League Challenge Cup final.

"Disappointing once again - not the way we wanted to end our league campaign but out of our hands," said Pickering on collecting the walkover win.

The final at Barnton FC on May 7th will see Runcorn Linnets Ladies defend a trophy they won last season.

Opponents this time are Crewe Alexandra Ladies who have already succeeded Linnets as league champions.

On a busy and largely successful weekend for Linnets' junior sides, the Under 15s won the Warrington Cup final while the U12s reached the Chester & District final.

Runcorn Linnets U15s Yellow did themselves proud meanwhile in Sunday's final of the Cheshire FA Junior Cup at Heswall.

Having negotiated five rounds to book their place in the decider, they were always in contention against highly-rated Dukinfield U15s Green, who sealed their 5-3 victory with the last kick of the tie.

Club chairman, Mark Buckley and assistant manager, Matt Cross were among those at pitchside to cheer the side on with the young players turning in a suprene effort for their manager, Dean Kennington.

Earlier in the competition, Linnets U15s Yellow had defeated Vauxhall Motors U15s Cav 5-1, Timperley Villa U15 Youth Pythons 7-0 and Sandbach United Falcons U15s 6-0.

Quarter-final success had come against Newton Athletic Youth U15s 6-2 before Linnets booked their passage to the final with a penalty shootout victory over Sandbach United U15s, this following a 2-2 draw after extra-time (1-1 at 90 mins).