RUNCORN Linnets Ladies picked up their first league win of the new season in defeating Wallasey Wanderers 3–1 on Sunday at the Millbank Linnets Stadium - after a lacklustre display by their very high standards.

In the absence of key players Mandy Kennedy, Sadie Bond and Emma McLarney, this was a chance for some of the new signings to make their mark in the Cheshire Women's League.

Three Youth team graduates - Beth Coppin, Player of the Game Chelsea Gillies (pictured) and Frankie Valdez - scored the goals to maintain their promising transition into the senior ranks.

But overall, manager John Pickering was happier with the result than the performance.

“We clearly missed players, who for one reason or another were not available," he said.

“I didn't see enough fight today, we lacked that spark, But we have the three points, we remain unbeaten at home and sit third in the early table standings with four points from six. We go again next week.”

Runcorn had again started brightly, taking a lead inside two minutes. Striker Coppin chased down a Gillies pass to deceive Wallasey 'keeper, Seager - a cross-cum-shot from the right struck the left post before being carried over the line.

Missed chances could again have cost the Linnets, as they had in the draw against Chester FC Women. Last season’s top scorer Megan Pickering fired high and wide in the 23rd minute before her exquisite pass from midfield, with the outside of her right boot, released Tempany Carlson. The right winger fired the 'wrong' side of the far post.

Wallasey gained in confidence, Nat Pinnington producing a top-quality save from a long-range effort. The visitors found space to play balls into feet while the nervy-looking Linnets, not realising they had time in possession, relinquished it far too easily.

Even so, the hosts still created opportunities to increase their advantage. Carlson floated in a left-side corner to the back post, where Pickering leapt well but headed just wide when well positioned.

The Linnets lacked urgency, looking flat at times.

Mary Rossiter-Gurrell defended well but young midfielder Gillies was the stand-out player in the first half, closing down quickly while looking when ever possible to get her team moving forward.

At the start of the second half, Lucy Wieland came for midfielder Lile Ashley, taking up an advanced role. Pickering dropped to centre midfield, alongside Gillies, while Nicola Hyland replaced the unwell Gabby Evans at right back.

After early pressure on Wallasey, it came as no surprise when slick work by Pickering fed in Carlson, whose perfectly-weighted cross was emphatically finished by Gillies from 10 yards on 53 minutes.

Valdez was introduced for Rossiter-Gurrell, Ana Duran Anca slipping in at left back. Young and exciting Valdez added a new dimension on the wing.

Pickering and Coppin were in turn unlucky from one-on-ones but Runcorn were now finding much more room behind Wallasey’s full backs.

Their 75th-minute third goal was courtesy of a rasping drive from Valdez, set on her way by Pickering.

Wallasey are a team in transition but remained dangerous and caught the Linnets napping on 77 minutes. Runcorn had switched off, failing to clear despite several chances to do so.

Wallasey’s number 10, Baily produced a low, hard shot that Pinnington got a good hand to. Hyland was covering as the ball trickled towards goal but it stuck under her feet and somehow went in.

Pickering and Coppin were withdrawn for Evans and Ashley, under the roll on-off rule. The Linnets now had their most inexperienced XI in a long time.

The young players gained valuable experience while showing in spells what they can do. With a little more confidence and self-belief, they can start to mature and show their form over a sustained period.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies, Nat Pinnington, Gabby Evans, Jo Finnegan, Lorna Cairns, Mary Rossiter-Gurrell, Ana Duran Anca, Lile Ashley, Chelsea Gillies, Tempany Carlson, Megan Pickering, Beth Coppin. Subs Nichola Hyland, Lucy Wieland, Frankie Valdez, Beth Graham, Charlotte Thornhill.