Match Report: Chester FC Women 3 - 2 Runcorn Linnets

Chester FC Women advanced to the Semi Finals of the Cheshire Cup with a dramatic victory over Runcorn Linnets in their first match action for a month.

Following the usual Christmas break and two January postponements, the Blues started quickly in their opening game of 2025 as Chenai Lefebvre fired home from just outside the box in the first minutes of the match.

Lefebvre almost doubled hers and the Blues’ tally on 16 minutes but the ‘keeper saved well. Chester’s constant pressing in the first half created some openings but they failed to add to their advantage.

However on 40 minutes they appeared to get that second goal as Erin Parr beat the offside trap to score, but the flag was controversially raised.

Parr though did make it two just after the break, racing through and then calmly sidefooting home beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.

Chloe Davis had a chance to make it 3-0 just moments after coming on but fired over the crossbar, before Runcorn set up a grandstand finish on 83 minutes when they pulled one back.

They then levelled from the spot late on after a penalty was awarded for an alleged foul.

Extra time beckoned, but the Chester response was immediate, as sub Davis raced into the area and was bundled over and the home side had a penalty of their own.

Emma Gray stepped up and was denied from the spot, but rolled home the rebound to spark jubilant scenes and ensure the Blues’ passage into the final four of the competition, where they will now host Stockport County.

CHESTER: Doherty, Owen, Bordessa, Sconce, Dowell, Redman, Williams, Bullock, Parr, Bradley, Lefebvre.

SUBS: Kelso, Morris, Gray, Davis, Lee.

SCORER: Lefebvre 2, Parr 49, Gray 90.

Picture Credit - Luke Reynolds Photography.