Beth Middleton equalised for Linnets in the dying seconds but the overall team display left much to be desired.
Runcorn Linnets Ladies 3 Liverpool Feds Women Reserves 3
By Jack Slater
Runcorn hosted a youthful and vibrant Liverpool Feds Reserves side in their opening midweek fixture and first APEC Taxis Stadium appearance of the season.
Linnets promised much from off, creating a number of chances in the opening 15-20 minutes and should have easily led after hitting a post and missing a number of gilt-edged chances.
Against the run of play, Runcorn were sucker punched when they lost the ball travelling out from the back, a quick transition sending through the Feds striker to finish with an audacious effort over the 'keeper.
Feds continued to press, gaining in confidence from early success, but it was Linnets who struck next with a Mollie Bennett goal levelling the scores.
The chances kept on coming for the Yellows, and good chances at that. But Bennett, Aisling Hart and Lile Ashley were all off target from the edge of the area.
Runcorn would ultimately be the manufacturers of their own downfall when being caught second best to the ball.
An awkward challenge resulted in Linnets conceding their second penalty in as many games. This was expertly dispatched by the Feds attacker for a 2-1 interval lead.
Damaged by the loss of Sophie Rotheram to a hamstring injury in the first half, Linnets' second-half performance could be described as lacklustre at best.
But Chelsea Gillies was ultimately rewarded for her industrious display with a fine individual effort, which saw her carry the ball 20 yards before finishing smartly past the 'keeper to level up the scores.
This was harsh on Liverpool Feds who had been creating more chances before the equaliser and continued to do so.
The main danger came down the left with their pacey winger causing Linnets issues.
But it was another goal of Runcorn's own making, which gifted the lead back to Liverpool Feds. They were good value for it.
Almost immediately after Linnets' equaliser, an aimless long ball into their box was misread and not dealt with, allowing the winger to tap into an empty net.
Linnets tried to forge a way back into the game but the better chances landed to Liverpool Feds until the ball fell to Ashley in the visiting penalty area. But she could only hit a post.
A few smart saves one on one kept Runcorn in with a chance.
With 90 minutes on the clock and hope appearing to be lost, a fantastic corner from Ashley appeared to go straight in.
But the referee remained unmoved before the most unlikely of scorers turned it home.
Centre back Beth Middleton sent Linnets fans and players alike into pandemonium.
With little or no time on the clock, the game would end in a 3-3 draw.
But this was a missed opportunity for Linnets, whose performance was certainly not up to standards which they set themselves.
With much to improve on, Runcorn will want to give a better account of themselves when the sides play each other again on Sunday (August 31) in the second of three meetings over the first month of the season.
Kick off at Jericho Lane Football Hub is at 2pm.