New kit is lucky in victory at Crewe
Sunday's game saw a first appearance for Linnets Ladies in the team's new away kit, thanks to the continued backing of CLAN Contracting, who had already sponsored their training kit.
AFC Crewe Women 0 Runcorn Linnets Ladies 1
Report by Jack Slater
Linnets started 2026 against the North West Regional League opponents they had faced in the final match of 2025 in Diviision One South.
In search of revenge after a 2-1 deficit against AFC Crewe at APEC Taxis Stadium in December, Runcorn prevailed thanks to a late Mollie Bennett goal.
Bolsrered by the return of Sophie Rotheram, Lile Ashley and Gabby Evans, Linnets switched to three at the back - a hitherto unfamiliar system.
Following their long lay-off, Linnets were keen to return to winning ways after an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak.
They started strongly, asserting dominance by moving the ball with fluidity and pace - creating attacking opportunities by playing in the home third of the pitch.
AFC Crewe were struggling to get any possession of note and early chances would fall to Rotheram, Bennett and Ashley.
All were thwarted smartly by the Crewe 'keeper.
Eva Whimperley had the beating of AFC Crewe's defence
Eva Whimperley, on the left, was able to beat the opposing full back on multiple occassions, delivering dangerous balls that were causing mayhem in the Crewe penalty box.
On 20 minutes, Bennett was unlucky for Linnets when attempting to catch out the 'keeper with a effort from halfway.
Not long after this, a ball in from the left found Caitlin Gibbons in a threatening position inside the box but she couldn't convert at close range.
Gibbons, employed in a more offensive role, was posing constant problem for the Crewe defence.
Linnets couldn't capitalise on pinpoint corner kicks by Bennett - goalmouth scrambles not ending in favour of the away side, who were wearing a new black and white change strip.
Mollie Bennett rewarded Runcorn's perseverance with an 82nd-minute winner. File picture by Neil Thornton
There was a feeling that Linnets may rue these missed chances.
That was almost the case when, on 30 minutes, the tide changed.
For the first time, Crewe began to stamp their authority on the game, bossing in midfield.
A defence-splitting pass on 32 minutes saw Crewe go through unopposed but despite rounding outrunning 'keeper Alex Bellfield, the Crewe player was unable to find the open goal.
After this huge let off, an almost carbon-copy situation unfolded when Crewe again attacked through the middle.
But as the defence closed in, the striker shot wide.
Linnets had begun to drop deeper as the first half unfolded - this allowing Crewe's midfield three more space and time to dictate the game for the final portion.
Gabby Evans was one of a trio of players returning to the Linnets Ladies line-up.
Linnets stood firm, however, and the game reached its midway point in stalemate.
The visitors came out in buoyant mood after the break.
They controlled the play and were extremely unlucky not to take the lead.
Chelsea Gillies went through but was denied by an exquisite save from the Crewe goalkeeper.
Bennett continued to produce accurate corner kicks, which Linnets were somehow unable to convert with the goal often gaping at the back post.
With the Crewe 'keeper making smart saves from efforts in open play, frustration began to grow.
But as Crewe struggled to muster any chances of note, Linnets continued to push for the vital opener.
The introduction of Lily Shakeshaft and Saffron Tilston brought new energy for Linnets in the midfield and up front.
However, Shakeshaft, Ashley and then Tilston were all unable to convert.
Crewe mustered their solitary second-half attempt on 74 minutes, this being comfortably saved by Bellfield.
Linnets left it late, but got their rewards for their perseverance and determination.
On 82 minutes, the mercurial Bennett delivered another troubling delivery to the back post from the corner flag.
The difference was it didn't need the finishing touch Linnets had been missing.
It went straight in for a deserved lead.
With time ticking by, Runcorn pushed hard to extend their advantage.
Sophie Rotheram engineered chances for Linnets to extend the late lead.
Rotheram's skill twice created time for herself to fire quality balls into the box but again without an end product.
Two Tilston efforts from the edge of the box were off target.
Difficult, cold conditions and a strong wind had hindered the players.
But Linnets had started the year as they mean to go on with three points and a dominant display, showing much promise in attack.
On another day, they would have scored more.