RUNCORN Linnets Ladies have started their pre-season work early for the forthcoming Cheshire Women's League Division Two campaign by entering a women's Summer League organised by The Liverpool County FA.

Linnets Ladies coach John Pickering explained: "The reason we entered the team into this league was seen as a great opportunity to watch potential new players in match conditions and provide the opportunity for all the players to improve on both physical and mental fitness in a competitive environment as part of our preparations for the new season."

The 9v9 sommer games are played on a half pitch over 60 minutes.

The opening week's league games took place on Sunday (June 14), Linnets Ladies suffering a 2-1 stoppage-time defeat to Southport Athletic at Walton Hall Park, Liverpool. This was a game from which the Linnets should have taken all three points after creating a hatful of unfinished chances in the first half.

Southport had opened the scoring on 18 minutes from a through ball that found their centre forward unmarked six yards out with time to turn and slot past Dunbebin in the Linnets' goal. The scorer looked to be at least a yard

offside but the decision went against the Linnets side.

In the second half, the Linnets came out to pass the ball well and with Kennedy in the thick of the midfield action, the equaliser came on 40 minutes.

Kennedy found 16-year-old Casey Vibrans, playing her first competitive match and her through ball to Marcia Jones-Sacharewicz, also making her competitive debut, provided a neat finish.

The game opened up after this, with both sides going for the win, Linnets Ladies made a number of changes, giving every player in the 13-strong squad at least 30 minutes of game time.

Southport won the game in injury time - a long and hopeful ball over the top was not cleared first time by the defence and fell kindly to an on-rushing midfielder, who had time and space to shoot past the Linnets 'keeper.

John Pickering added: "It was disappointing to lose the game through a defensive error, but we take away a lot of positives. We had some very young and new players on the pitch today and this will stand them in good stead going forward."

Linnets Ladies: Dunbebin, Riley, Hyland, Kennedy (Capt), Evans,Hymas, Johnston, Underdown, Jones-Sacharewicz. Subs Swash, Vibrans, Konewecka, Mahamud.