Successive 2-1 victories for Under 21s
Manager Ste Ellams oversees another impressive performance. Picture by Kelly Jones
UDA Soccer Cestrians 1 Runcorn Linnets U21s 2
Linnets made it eight wins from 10 with just the one defeat in the North West Under 21s Development League.
Victory increased the pressure on five-point leaders Warrington Town, who they would overtake by winning the two games in hand.
With manager Ste Ellams happy to be able to name an unchanged XI for the first time this season, the focus was to control the game by retaining possession and not allowing UDA any chances.
After a fairly slow opening 15 minutes, Linnets got on top, dictating the tempo while staying patient in their build-up play.
There were a couple of Runcorn half chances before long-range efforts from Macauley Clifton and Theo Papadopoulos both hit the bar, reflecting the visitors' momentum and dominance.
Centre back Cameron Schofield found himself high up the pitch to force a top save from the UDA 'keeper with a great header.
From the resulting 39th-minute corner, Cushion found Schofield who finished superbly to give the Yellow & Greens a deserved half-time lead.
There were no changes at the break, the call being for more of the same.
Nine minutes in, an excellent link-up with Lewis Crane brought Cushion a goal, expertly finished from 18 yards.
UDA were forced into going long with every ball being dealt with by skipper Jay Lee or Cushion.
Anything in behind was covered by 'keeper George Huyton, whose positioning was superb all night.
UDA won a soft free-kick in the final third and after a couple of attempts at clearing, the ball fell for one of the home players to convert well.
Linnets continued to create half chances while ensuring UDA had no opportunities to deny the away side successive 2-1 victories in the space of four days - the first having come at the table toppers.
The result never felt in danger.
Player of the Match Jay Lee. Picture byKelly Jones
Skipper Lee was acclaimed as Thistledown Group Player of the Match after what boss Ellams described as a "colossal" display.
The manager said: “Jay was outstanding from the first whistle.
"He organised the team well, gave good instruction, encouraged patience and dealt with UDA’s counter and long balls extremely well alongside Cam (Cameron Schofield)
"In the second half he stood up really strongly, kept the team confident and positive and ensured along with his back line and goalkeeper that UDA had no chance of getting anything from the game.”
Linnets play Kidsgrove Athletic on Sunday at Alsager Leisure Centre (ko 1pm) in a fifth consecutive away game while Warrington visit FC United of Manchester, who inflicted Runcorn's only defeat the weekend before last.
Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Callum Prince, Sam Hamling, Owen Cushion, Jay Lee, Cameron Schofield, Theo Papadopoulos (Tom Beswick),Eneil Gunbs (Zack Kopanski), Lewis Crane, Macauley Clifton (Zack Parker), Ben Crane (Joel Street). Sub (not used): Alex Ellams (GK).