Words Erin Carroll | Pictures Maisy Green

Altrincham 1 Runcorn Linnets 6

Altrincham FC Women suffered defeat in their last game of the season against Runcorn Linnets after a second-half fightback from the visitors.

The Robins started the first half brightly when skipper Natalie Lowe dealt the first blow of the game. The midfielder picked up the ball and unleashed a fierce shot from just inside the eighteen-yard box, which sailed past the Linnets keeper, giving Altrincham the lead inside the opening five minutes.

Despite pressure from Runcorn, the Robins held firm, but unfortunately, their strong
defence was unlocked with a neat set-piece routine from the visitors. A corner from the right-hand side flew above everyone’s head, and the Linnets centre-back rose highest to net the equaliser past Olivia Kaleta.

Going into the break, Altrincham looked the stronger of the two sides on the final day.
However, the Linnets struck early into the second half to get themselves ahead. The blustery winds took hold of the shot, and it flew high into the roof of the net out of reach of Kaleta, who had pulled off some incredible saves just moments earlier.

The visitors quickly extended their advantage with a second goal in a matter of minutes to stretch the game away from Altrincham but not quite out of reach.

However, it would be put out of reach at the hour mark, as another shot sailed in, carried by the wind high above the reach of Kaleta, who threw herself high into the air to stop the shot.

Altrincham nearly had a route back into the game when Carmen Culbert struck a ferocious free kick from twenty-five yards away which looked destined for the top right-hand corner but just grazed onto the crossbar.

As the second half drew to a close, the visitors showed no mercy and secured themselves another two goals in what was a frustrating afternoon for the Robins as they rounded off their record-breaking season.