Dream double only two games away for Under 21s
- dbettley
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Southport Academy 1 Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 2
Pictures by Kelly Jones
Linnets U21s men are on the brink of becoming champions after coming from behind for victory at Haig Avenue.
Hopes remain high of a league and cup double in the team's first season since relaunching last summer.
But there is still work to be done as Linnets compete with Kidsgrove Athletic for both trophies.
A win in their final league game of the season, at home to Northwich Victoria U21s on Wednesday week (May 7th), would confirm Runcorn as winners of North West U21s Development League's Championship Division B.
But prior to that, they have the small matter of a cup final against Kidsgrove, now the only team who can deny Linnets the championship.
APEC Taxis Stadium will host the Championship Division B Cup final on Sunday, May 4th to kick-start a big week for Linnets whose first team contests the Cheshire Senior Cup final against Stalybridge at Chester on Tuesday, May 6th.
Kidsgrove are three points behind leaders Runcorn after climbing into second place by winning 5-0 at Vulcan yesterday.
They would equal Runcorn's points tally should both win all remaining games.
It would then come down to head-to-head records and Linnets have won both league meetings between the two.
The Grove therefore need a victory from their last home game against second-from-bottom Warrington Rylands tomorrow (Tuesday, April 29th) to keep the championship race alive.
Their final match is away to Southport Academy on Sunday, May 11th.
The champions will go up to the NWU21DL Premier Division with the runners-up playing off for promotion against the team finishing second in Championship Division A.
Goals from Adam Moseley and Macauley Clifton secured the points against the Sandgrounders, although Linnets took time to get into their stride after losing at home to AFC Liverpool in midweek.
Starting the game slowly, Linnets looked nervous and unusually hesitant.
Zack Parker had their best early chance but they were restricted to long-range efforts.
Southport went ahead from a well-worked set piece.
Linnets began to pose more of a threat and should have been level but Clifton saw a shot blocked on the line by a team-mate.
It was only in the last ten minutes of rhe half, however, that Linnets began to really get into the game, even then still creating only half- chances.
Half-time was pivotal as manager Ste Ellams and his backroom staff worked on restoring the players' confidence. The instructions were to relax, play their football and take control.
The first 15 minutes after half-time were breathtaking, Linnets producing their best play of the season.
Moseley scored after great play by Sam Stephens but the second and ultimately winning goal was sublime, resulting from a five-man move.
It started with Cam Schofield being brave in possession, striding forward from defence to find Stephens, who played a great first-time pass to Moseley.
He in turn fed top scorer Crane to pull the ball back for Clifton to score.
Southport had one big chance, Alex Ellams saving well.
But Schofield, joint man-of-the-match with Stephens, was rock solid at the back as Linnets held on strongly.
They could have scored more themselves but getting the win was all that mattered.
Runcorn Linnets: Under 21s: Alex Ellams, Callum Prince, Ben Dobbie, Asnafi Shamari, Cameron Schofield, Jay Lee, Macauley Clifton, Sam Stephens, Lewis Crane, Eneil Gumbs, Zack Parker. Subs: Josh Elverstone, Billy McNay, Finlay Harwood, Adam Moseley. Not used: Harry Vernon.
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