Mollly Hewitt's brace, either side of a Lile Ashley strike, secured victory in the weekend derby. Pictures by Neil Thornton.
Runcorn Linnets Ladies 3 Warrington Town Ladies 0
By Jack Slater
In a repeat of last year's August Bank Holiday fixture, Linnets Ladies hosted the WA Derby on Sunday, welcoming local rivals Warrington Town Women to APEC Taxis Stadium.
Victory completed a full set of results in the first week of the North West Women's League season after defeat and a draw in the first two Division One South games.
Linnets needed to see a much-improved performance from midweek and the message was clear from the off.
Despite key players being sidelined through injury or unavailability, Linnets were hot out of the blocks and ahead within two minutes.
Resolute defending from Roberts down the right set up an attack, firstly involving Lilly McCabe before a quick interchange with Chelsea Gillies set Lile Ashley free down the right.
Her pinpoint cross found Molly Hewitt, unmarked at back post, to finish emphatically for a great team goal.
It would take just three minutes for Lile Ashley to double the lead with Erin Roberts setting Ashley free down the middle. Her shot into the far corner gave 'keeper Donohue no chance.
Runcorn were winning the midfield battle and with Bellfield in the Linnets goal untested, they almost made it three. Ashley again split the defence, squaring beautifully but a last-ditch tackle form a Warrington defender prevented Molly Hewitt from tapping to an empty net.
Warrington were, however, gifted an opportunity back into the contest when Linnets found themselves on the wrong end of an offside call, a scrambling defence conceding a penalty.
The Warrington striker stepped up but was unable to convert, the ball going high into the advertising boards above the goal.
Linnets continued to press forward and smart play from McCabe in central midfield set Hewitt free again.
She tried to return the earlier favour to Ashley, who was unfortunately unable to convert before being denied from another opportunity by a smart Donohue save.
The game entered half-time at 2-0 to Linnets with only one more notable chance having fallen to Warrington. The effprt from outside the box comfortably cleared the bar.
Linnets, knowing there would be a Warrington reaction, lost the potent Lile Ashley at the interval through illness, the striker having caused Warrington all sorts of problems.
McCabe would take on the mantle up front as the hosts saw the reintroduction of long- term absentee Beth Graham, back from travelling the globe.
The first effort of the half fell l to Warrington, who had worked a chance neatly down the right but it was caught comfortably by Bellfield.
Jess Bazley raced through at the other end with a dangerous run from deep but was denied smartly one on one by the on-rushing 'keeper.
Chances would continue to fall for Molly Hewitt, hitting an effort wide from outside the box, and Aisling Hart, whose header from a corner was saved.
It wasn't until a Jess Bazley through ball was latched on to by Molly Hewitt that the second-half deadlock was broken, an audacious lob leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
Lile Ashley was reintroduced and almost had an instant impact but dragged her effort wide.
A late flurry of balls into the Linnets box were competently dealt with by Bellfield.
The sides will meet again on Wednesday in Warrington with Linnets hoping for more of the same.
A thunderous finish from Lile Ashley left Linnets two goals to the good after five minutes. Picture by Neil Thornton.