Runcorn Linnets Under 21s men completed the group stages of the North West Under 21s Development League's Championship Division B Trophy on top of the table after a 6-0 victory over Warrington Rylands 1907.
The win was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline suggests with Linnets scoring four second-half goals to force home their overall suoeriority.
We will entertain City of Liverpool U21s in the semi final on Sunday, February 23rd in a noon kick-off.
Rylands began the game with 10 players before late arrivals brought them up to a full complement at 1-0 down.
Runcorn had taken an early lead through Macauley Clifton, having already hit the woodwork.
They struck it again before adding the second goal. Left back and captain Jay Lee (pictured above) curled a superb right-foot shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards, after combining with Harry Vernon ahead of him.
Rylands had scarcely got out of their own half, although it needed a timely intervention by holding midfielder Arty Benjamin, who bundled the ball away for a corner after a rare visiting breakaway.
After half-time, two quick goals made the win safe. Josh Elverstone, who had come into the side when top scorer Lewis Crane pulled up in the pre-match warm-up, made it 3-0 with Clifton promptly notching his second.
Lee, who had by now switched to the right of defence, headed the fifth from a corner and Asnafi Shamari''s adventurous midfield display was rewarded as Elverstone played him in to complete the scoring.
Later in the afternoon, Runcorn Linnets Ladies went down 5-1 at home to higher-ranked Crewe Alexandra Women in the North West Regional Development League's Alliance & Design Plate.
Linnets, holding fifth spot in Division One South, arguably had more of the chances in the first half with Mollie Bennett and Mollie Hewitt going close.
But finishing was the difference as Crewe, lying sixth in the Premier Division, went in 3-1 up.
The hosts felt aggrieved, believing that the second away goal should have been ruled offside. However, with no assistants on hand, referee Neil Rooney awarded the goal.
Alex Bellfield (pictured below) had made a brilliant double save but was beaten at the third attempt.
Linnets grabbed a lifeline when promptly awarded a penalty for a foul with stalwart midfielder Chelsea Gillies confidently converting - only for Crewe to restore the two-goal cushion with a sublime effort from outside the area.
They scored twice more after the break to seal their victory in the second-round tie.
Comments