Match Reports: August 2009
Saturday 29th AugustFA Cup, Preliminary RoundColwyn Bay 2-4 St Helens Town0-1; Rob Hanley 42 Minutes, 0-2; Karl Ledsham 52 Minutes, 0-3; Iain Dyson 59 Minutes, 1-3; Tom McGill 71 Minutes, 2-3; James Dunn 79 Minutes, 2-4; Rob Hanley 90+4 Minutes. Town advanced to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with an excellent victory over their higher ranking hosts but they made hard work of what looked like an unassailable lead. The visitors came thundering out of the blocks and Rob Hanley was in the action early holding the ball up well and laying the ball off to Graeme Mitchell whose shot come cross deflected towards Phil Mitchell but Chris Sanna claimed well. Moments later Hanley and Graeme Mitchell linked with the latter shooting wide of the target. Hanley then linked onto a though ball beat his defender and with the keeper off his line he tried his luck but the ball went just over. At the other end Graeme McCall had been a virtual spectator until the 17th minute when Tony Sheehan played the ball to Kevin Holsgrove and his header was well held by the Town stopper. Sheehan again provided the ball into the box this time it was Rob Hopley met his cross with his head but the result was the same as McCall held the effort. Karl Ledsham linked with Hanley on 20 minutes the former playing Hanley through but a poor first touch saw the chance lost as Sanna collected the loose ball. At the other end a well worked corner saw McCall claim from Hopley. Further chances came for the visitors when Hanley’s right wing cross was dummied for Iain Dyson to shot just over the bar with the keeper beaten. On 36 minutes Phil Mitchell had a curled effort from the left hand edge of the box which Sanna held with Hanley in attendance. Colwyn Bay almost took the lead on 39 minutes when Alex Hay unleashed an excellent shot that was heading for the bottom right hand corner of the net but McCall somehow managed to turn the shot around the post at full stretch. Town responded well to this wake-up call and Ledsham had an effort stopped by Sanna before Phil Mitchell’s lobbed shot went just wide of the left hand upright. Town deservedly took the lead on 42 minutes when Ledsham found Graeme Mitchell who did well and played the ball to Hanley who beat his defender and slotted his effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.Town netted twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half but only after Matty Hurdman missed a golden chance from close range after a pull back from Eddie Jebb and Hanley had beaten the offside trap but was foiled by the legs of Sanna. Ledsham made it 2-0 on 52 minutes when he profited from good pressure high up the pitch collected the loose ball and after an excellent first touch slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Just before the hour it was 3-0 as a well worked set-piece saw Phil Mitchell take a short corner to Mark Evans who delivered an excellent cross which skipper Dyson volley home from 12 yards out. Town disease struck again as they relaxed and though the job was done, thus letting the home side back into the game. Bay netted on 71 minutes when a cross from the right saw Tom McGill acrobatically over head kick the ball home. Matters got worse on 79 minutes when Colwyn Bay pulled another goal back, a ball into the box looked to have struck a Town defender on the hand and the referee played an excellent advantage with his assistant flagging for a penalty and Town stopped expecting a spot kick to be awarded but play continued and Jamie Dunn sent the ball home to set up a grandstand finish. Town were now hanging on and Colwyn Bay were throwing everything at them. Dave Challinor’s famous long throws were causing plenty of problems in the visitors box and it was nail biting viewing for the Town fans as the ball appeared to be continuously in the possession of the hosts. Keeper McCall excelled himself in this period calmly dealing with everything that came his way. Deep in added on time with Town doing all they could to run the clock Hanley seized an opening and with Sanna off his line tried his luck from the left hand angle of the area lobbing a shot over the stranded keeper into the net and to set off celebrations among the Town fans who had been through the mill in the final 20 minutes of the match. Colwyn Bay; Sanna, Denson, Scott, Jarrett(Brandreth 44), Challinor(C), Sheehan, Jebb, Hurdman, Hopley, Holsgrove(Dunn 53), Hay(McGill 53). Subs Not Used; Davey, Sheridan, Jackson. St Helens Town; McCall, Pitts, Evans, Kay, Burke, Stephens, Dyson(C)(Frazer 72), Ledsham, Hanley, G.Mitchell(Burns 80), P.Mitchell. Subs Not Used; Anders, J.Foster, C.Foster, Riley, Woods.
Tuesday 25th AugustVodkat League Premier DivisionSt Helens Town 1-3 Newcastle Town0-1; Jordan Johnson 16 Minutes, 0-2; Jonathon Sheldon 56 Minutes, 1-2; Mike Scully 71 Minutes, 1-3; Michael Douglas 76 Minutes. St Helens Town felt the sting of defeat for the first time this season against title contenders Newcastle Town but will feel that they played a big part in their own downfall. The hosts started off brightly and took the game to their big spending visitors. A free kick on 5 minutes from the left hand edge of the box was struck by Phil Mitchell beating the visiting goal keeper but being diverted over by the top of the crossbar. Moments later Phil Mitchell played a short corner to Mark Evans who sent a cross into the box towards Rob Hanley but the dangerous ball was nicked away by a Newcastle defender. Another corner from the wing was sent into the box this time and got to Mike Scully on the far post but his effort nestled into the side netting. Phil Mitchell was again involved on 14 minutes when he battled well on the edge of the Newcastle box won the ball and his effort was well held by Daniel Read. The visitors were to enjoy a rather generous gift on 16 minutes when they took the lead against the run of play. Defender Stephen Kay had ample opportunity to clear the ball after Paul Anders had failed to head clear but Kay & Woods ended up conspiring to gift an open goal to Jordan Johnson and the striker rolled the ball into the empty net. Just before the half hour mark Karl Ledsham latched onto a ball down the right wing which saw the keeper come out into a “no man’s land” position and Ledsham sent a cross towards Scully centrally but he was beat in the air by the Newcastle centre back to spare the blushes of his keeper. Phil Mitchell hand the next chance for the hosts when he ran from midfield and tried to link with Iain Dyson, the ball was deflected back to Mitchell and he tried his luck from 20 yards but the shot went wide of the right hand post. St Helens spurned another good chance on 38 minutes when a left wing corner was sent into the box and broke to Paul Anders on the penalty spot but the defender spooned his effort over the bar. Newcastle ended the half when Chris Boast spurned a golden opportunity by heading a left wing free kick over the bar. The visitors started the second period better than the hosts and called Woods into action on 49 minutes an attack saw the ball break to Dan Skelton on the edge of the area and his effort on the half volley saw the keeper at full stretch to push the shot wide. On 56 minutes Newcastle doubled their lead a free kick from the right wing was curled into the box by Jonathon Sheldon and went into the net without a touch much to the chagrin of the Town faithful. Rob Hanley almost pulled one back as he broke through the visitors back line and advanced on goal but another excellent challenge saw the danger averted. The hosts pulled one back on 71 minutes when Marc Stephens played a quick free kick out to Phil Mitchell on the right wing and he sent a ball into the box which Hanley flicked on and Scully arrived to send the loose ball home. This could have been in catalyst to a St Helens comeback but the visitors quickly restored their two goal advantage. Another set piece saw the hosts look frail as this time Woods came for the corner but did not arrive in time and Michael Douglas took advantage of his free header to send the ball home. This took the wind out of St Helens sails and the visitors had a couple of good chances in the dying stages of the game. Substitute Neville Thompson tried his luck from the edge of the box and Woods pushed his effort away, the loose ball was collected by Sheldon but his effort was also kept out by Woods with this time completed the double save by pushing the effort around the post. Deep in added on time Skelton beat his defender and pulled back for Andy Bourne 10 yards out but he shot over and the golden opportunity was lost. So St Helens found themselves on the wrong end of a scoreline for the first time this season and will need to bounce back as they take a trip to Unibond Division 1 North outfit Colwyn Bay for the FA Cup tie on Saturday. St Helens Town; Woods, Elias, McLoughlin(Stephens 46), Kay, Anders(Pitts 46), Dyson(C), P.Mitchell, Ledsham, Hanley, Scully, Evans(G.Mitchell 80). Subs Not Used; Frazer, Burns. Newcastle Town; Read, Espley, Sheldon, Donnelly(C), Dicker, Douglas, Morton, Boast(Bourne 88), Burdrys, Johnson(Thompson 68), Skelton. Subs Not Used; Taylor, Willis, Sutton.
Saturday 22nd AugustVodkat League Premier Division0-1; Karl Ledsham 53 Minutes, 0-2; Phil Mitchell 60 Minutes, 1-2; Mark Threlfall 69 Minutes. Town retained top spot in the Vodkat League, Premier Division with a victory at Colne that should have been more emphatic. Town skipper Iain Dyson won the toss and decided the best tactic was to attack up the hill in the first half. The visitors then proceeded to take the game to the hosts despite the gradient being in the hosts favour. An early attack saw Town’s Karl Ledsham stopped by foul means and Phil Mitchell’s free kick was well held by James Kenyon in the home goal. A warning was given to Town as Colne countered and almost scored on 9 minutes Liam Garbutt latched onto a through ball that was allowed to bounce and hios shot was touched over the bar. The visitors recovered from this shock and a nasty looking injury to Mike Fargher and a fine passing move saw Mitchell, Rob Hanley and Dyson link with the latter 1 on 1 with the keeper but he trod on the ball and the chance was lost. Mitchell linked with Marc Stephens and the former shot wide of the left hand post. At the other end another spot of poor defending as Paul Anders miskick allowed Mark Threlfall a sight on goal and his effort from wide right went just wide of the left hand upright. Town created more chances but Dyson, Stephens and Mitchell all failed to test Kenyon in the Colne goal. With the clock running down towards half time Colne’s James Crorken had a free header which he failed to hit the target with and it was a similar story when Threlfall found space in the Town box but his headed effort failed to test Kevin Woods. The second half saw Town start off down the hill and on fire, pressing home to advantage of the slope. Ledsham latched onto a through ball, beat the offside trap and found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper he drew the stopper and unselfishly squared towards Dyson, when he possibly should have had a shot and the ball evaded the skipper and went behind. Next it was Hanley’s turn to get 1 on 1 with Kenyon but the home custodian did well to hold his effort. Ledsham did not repeat his earlier error when he again beat the offside trap on 53 minutes, this time he drew the keeper and curled a left footed effort just inside the upright. Dyson headed a corner wide on the hour mark, before Phil Mitchell ended an excellent move in which he linked with Hanley receiving a back heel off the striker which opened up the space to allow him to shoot past the keeper. A speculative effort when Ledsham stretched to get a touch on a loose ball and Kenyon had to be alert to recover and tip the goalbound effort wide. Town were looking good but again without killing a team off the game was still in the balance. A Colne attack saw Michael Cruz turn and shoot from 25 yards out and Woods needed to apply a fingertip to turn the ball behind. From the resultant set-piece the ball was not cleared and Threlfall took advantage of the pinball in the box to poke home and give the hosts a way back into the game. A couple of minutes later substitute Andrew Tinkler sent a free header wide of the target when he should have tested Woods. With time running out and with an element of end to end action to the game Town carved out a good chance when Paul Monteith crossed towards Hanley who chested the ball down to Dyson and he shot wide of the left hand post. Hanley almost put the result beyond doubt in the last minute of normal time as he beat the offside trap he beat the keeper with his shot but it went just wide of the right hand post. In added on time Monteith made some space on the edge of the box and unleashed an effort that beat the keeper but not the crossbar and after four long minutes of added on time the final whistle blew and Town had collected another three points. Colne; Kenyon, Cockett, Hargreaves, Wright, Hayes, Britton, Brodrick, Cruz(C), Threlfall, Garbutt, Crorken. Subs Not Used; Priestley, Whittaker, Goggin. St Helens Town; Woods, Elias, McLoughlin, Kay, Anders, Dyson(C), Fargher(Frazer 10), Ledsham, Hanley, Stephens, P.Mitchell(Monteith 79). Subs Not Used; Pitts, Scully, McCall.
Tuesday 18th AugustVodkat League Premier DivisionSt Helens Town 2-0 Ashton Athletic1-0; Mark Evans 75 Minutes, 2-0; Rob Hanley 90 + 3 Minutes. St Helens Town regained top spot in the Vodkat League, Premier Division with a hard fought victory at Knowsley Road, when the performance wasn’t awe-inspiring but the three points were collected. A set play could have put Town into an early lead as Mark Evans’ quick throw released Rob Hanley centrally but his shot went wide of the left hand post. Hanley was again in the action moments later when his first touch was excellent and he followed this with an exquisite turn and shot which flashed across the face of goal. Town continued to dominate possession and created further chances when Iain Dyson received the ball on the edge of the box, turned and shot but this effort was held by the visiting stopper. Karl Ledsham was next to try his luck when his free kick from 30 yards was well held with Town men in attendance. The hosts rattled the crossbar on 22 minutes when Hanley won possession and broke before linking with Evans who crossed from the left, Phil Mitchell took the ball down on his chest before unleashing a shot that cannoned off the crossbar and broke towards Hanley but Phil Hardman stole in behind him and put the ball behind for a corner. Just before the half hour Ashton Atheltic almost took the lead Gareth Peet went on a surging run from his own half before laying the ball off to Neil Davies on the left wing who in turn crossed the ball back towards the full back, Kevin Woods was the saviour as he got down low and cut the ball out low. Woods was again to thank for keeping the scores level as a corner broke to Richard Sharpe 18 yards out on the angle of the right post and his well struck effort was pushed behind by the home custodian. Both sides had a chance each before the interval arrived. Town’s came from a virtually identical quick throw in as Evans fed Hanley but this time the striker’s lob went just over the bar. The visitors broke forward through Davies who got into the box his first effort was going wide but deflected off an outstretched Town leg and broke back to him, his effort on the volley went just over the bar. The second half did not come to life until the hour mark when Mitchell collected the ball, turned well and advanced into the box he fed Hanley but the chance was lost when an Ashton man disposed him to the tune of a corner. When the set piece was delivered Stephen Kay rose highest but headed the ball wide. Phil Mitchell was again left cursing the woodwork on 66 minutes when he received the ball after a surging run from John Elias and inside the box sent a curling shot goalwards it took a slight deflection and that was enough to carry it onto the right hand upright and the loose ball was cleared. On 70 minutes Town were awarded a penalty after Peet could not cope with the pace of Mike Fargher and pulled him back. Dyson stepped up and struck the spot kick to the keepers’ right but King guessed the right way and pushed the ball away. It was not long until the hosts did take the lead, Town were awarded a free kick after Fargher was fouled on the right and Evans stepped up to deliver the ball curling it left footed towards the six yard box, Kay ran across the flight of the ball possibly unsighting the keeper and the ball ended up in the corner of the net without a touch. With time running out Ashton created a couple chances, a dangerous ball was sent into the box and Woods came into the crowd to punch the ball clear and the loose ball was cleared. Substitute Kevin Kynaston created some space and shot wide of the right hand post when well placed. In the third minute of added on time Town put the result beyond doubt. Marc Stephens sent a good ball down the left wing which Ledsham collected and picked out Hanley with a well weighted pass, the hitman then executed a well positioned shot that drilled into the bottom left hand corner of the net to take his tally to four goals in three appearances and send Town to the summit of the table for 24 hours at least! St Helens Town; Woods, Elias, McLoughlin(Stephens 67), Kay, Anders, Dyson(C), Fargher(Frazer 84), Ledsham, Hanley, P.Mitchell(Monteith 87) Evans. Subs Not Used; Foster, Burns. Ashton Atheltic; King, Hardman, Peet, Halpin, Pickup(C)(Hynes 84), Winer, Sharpe(Kynaston 55), Bodie, Johnstone, Prescott, Davies. Subs Not Used; Nolan, Novak, Hitchen.
Saturday 15th AugustFA Cup, Extra Preliminary RoundParkgate 1-3 St Helens Town0-1; Rob Hanley 17 Minutes, 0-2; Karl Ledsham 31 Minutes, 0-3 Iain Dyson 66 Minutes, 1-3; Luke Fletcher 72 Minutes. Town advanced to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at the first time of asking with a convincing victory in Rotherham over Parkgate FC of the Northern Counties East League, Premier Division. The returning Rob Hanley was quickly in the action as his turn and shot after 5 minutes was scuffed and Daniel Tollerfield held the effort. Strike partner Graeme Mitchell was next to try his luck after he turned well 25 yards from goal but his effort failed to find the target. More good work saw Phil Mitchell advance down the right wing beat his defender and sent a dangerous cross into the box which James Mitchell had to head behind. Parkgate threatened the Town goal when good work by Ian Gee down the right saw him cut inside and his effort was well held by Kevin Woods in the Town goal. A set piece saw the ball worked to Kieran Gallagher on the right hand post and he looked certain to open the scoring but a brave challenge by Paul Anders saw the ball behind for a corner. Town were to score from Parkgate’s corner. Woods collected the centre and a quick throw out found Karl Ledsham on the right he beat Gee and found Hanley with an excellent ball, a great first touch set up the shot as he curled the ball just inside the left hand post. It was 2-0 after 31 minutes when Graeme Mitchell did well before finding Hanley who beat his marker before playing Ledsham in, he made no mistake composing himself before shooting past the exposed keeper. Six minutes later and it looked to be 3-0, John Elias sent a free kick towards Mark Evans who headed it down and Graeme Mitchell’s shot was well saved by the keeper but he should not hold it and Hanley slotted the rebound home only to be denied by the offside flag when he looked to be onside. The hosts made a double substitution at half time in an attempt to get back into the game but it was Town who would make the next impact on the scoresheet as they appeared to put the result beyond doubt. Graeme Mitchell linked with Hanley on the left of the penalty area who played the ball into Dyson’s stride and the skipper shot past Tollerfield into the bottom right hand corner of the net. With nothing to lose Parkgate pressed forward and the game became end to end. The hosts reduced the deficit on 72 minutes when Luke Fletcher worked his way in from the right wing before unleashing a great shot past Woods giving the stopper no chance. Town were enjoying the extra space and it looked like the scoring was not finished. Evans hit a thunderbolt on 78 minutes which looked to be arrowing into the top right hand corner of the net but went just over the bar. At the other end Chris Spencer spurned a fantastic chance to make it a grandstand finish as he shot tamely at Woods when 1on1 with the keeper. Hanley almost added to his tally when Phil Mitchell and Ledsham worked a short corner on the right back to Elias who whipped a cross into the box, Tollerfield left it as it appeared to be going out but the striker was loitering on the back post and his header struck the post from a tight angle. The last chance of the game fell to substitute Dave Burns who almost opened his account on his debut when he latched onto a through ball beat his defender and shot goalwards, Tollerfield got a glove on it and took some power off the shot which was on target when it was cleared off the line by Jamie Jones. So Town advance and will visit UniBond Division One North outfit Colwyn Bay in the next round, only 12 more wins to Wembley! Parkgate; Tollerfield, Hemsley(Caine 46), Jones, L.Kay, Kippax, J.Mitchell(C), Spooner, Gee, Johnson(Simmonite 84), Gallagher(Stancex 46), Fletcher. Subs Not Used; Ibbotson, Hamstead, Wood, Beech. St Helens Town; Woods, Elias, McLoughlin(Stephens 81), S.Kay, Anders, Dyson(C)(Frazer 75), P.Mitchell, Ledsham, Hanley(Burns 84), G.Mitchell, Evans. Subs Not Used; Monteith, Faragher, Foster, McCall.
Tuesday 11th AugustVodkat League Premier DivisionSt Helens Town 0-0 Bootle The first home match of the season saw Town earn a hard fought point against neighbours Bootle in a typical derby match which both sides could have won. The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and dominated the first quarter of an hour but failed to break through the Bootle ranks as the visitors using a 4-5-1 formation had plenty of bodies between the ball and the goal. The opening chance of any note saw Nick McLoughlin send a left wing free kick into the box which Ben Kay rose highest to meet but sent his effort wide of the left hand upright. On the half hour Marc Stephens and Karl Ledsham linked on the right with the latter sending a dangerous cross across the face of goal which evaded the massed ranks in the box. Bootle threatened soon afterwards when a quick free kick by Dan O’Connor which was on target but deflected over the bar for a corner. At the other end Town had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Phil Mitchell got into the box and was caught by a defender. Ledsham was denied on 40 minutes when he latched onto a flick by Stephen Edwards and looked to be in on goal but a last ditch tackle by former Town man Mark Kilroy averted the danger. The half ended with Bootle’s skipper Neil McQueen heading over when unmarked from a corner. The second half saw the visitors looking dangerous as Carl Dale advanced and was only halted by a great challenge from McLoughlin the ball broke to Andy Fowler and his effort was cleared off the line. A corner saw a scramble in the Town box and a great point blank save from Kevin Woods kept the scores level. Just after the hour mark a quick throw saw Phil Mitchell collect the ball and drop his shoulder leaving his marker for dead before his shot from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot left the keeper as a spectator but struck the outside of the post and went behind. Woods had to be alert again as he tipped a quick free kick over the bar before Jamie Hay linked with Fowler on the right who curled an effort that saw the Town stopper push his effort behind at full stretch. Another effort from Fowler this time from a 25 yard free kick was again met by a Woods save to keep parity in the scores. In added on time both sides had chances to claim all three points, first up Town saw Adam Gilchrist and John Elias link on the right hand edge of the box with the full back sending a cross hard and low along the six yard box and this ball just evaded Iain Dyson’s lunge on the far post with the goal gaping. The final chance saw O’Connor and Kevin Black link for the visitors with the latter trying his luck from the edge of the box but failing to hit the target, so the spoils were shared and the sides rose to 1st and 2nd in the Premier Division table respectively. St Helens Town; Woods, Elias, McLoughlin, Kay, Burke, Dyson(C), Stephens, Ledsham, Edwards(Evans 59), G.Mitchell(Gilchrist 70), P.Mitchell. Subs Not Used; McCall, Frazer, Anders. Bootle; Mawdsley, Kilroy, Dale(Obasi 67), McQueen(C), Carberry, Johnson, Tyson, Hay(Black 73), O’Connor, Fowler, Hickey(Parkes 73). Subs Not Used; Coulton, Doran.
Saturday 8th August
Vodkat League Premier DivisionAbbey Hey 1-5 St Helens Town0-1; Chris Burke 27 Minutes, 0-2; Karl Ledsham 45 + 1 Minutes, 0-3; Rob Hanley 57 Minutes, 0-4; lain Dyson (Penalty) 59 Minutes, 1-4; Wayne Welbeck 76 Minutes, 1-5; Rob Hanley 90 + 1 Minutes. St Helens Town started the season off in emphatic style with a comfortable victory over Abbey Hey on a sunny afternoon in Manchester. The visitors created the first chance of the match on five minutes when Karl Ledsham broke forward down the right wing and cut into the box and he got a lucky break off the defender before curling a left footed shot just wide of the left hand upright. The hosts almost took the lead when Mike Brown sent a left wing free kick into the box and found Daniel Doherty unmarked but his header struck the crossbar with Graeme McCall beaten and went harmlessly behind for a goal kick. Town then dominated possession and created numerous chances. Iain Dyson was found by a John Elias cross and he beat a defender before unleashing a shot that broke off the keepers legs and was cleared off the line by Grant McElroy. Further chances fell to Dyson and Mark Evans who shot over and were denied by keeper Jones’ legs respectively. Town spurned more chances when Evans shot over the bar from 20 yards and a great passing move saw Ledsham shot over. The visitors were almost made to pay for their wastefulness when Doherty did well to pull a ball back towards Ottis Thomas but the striker was leaning backwards and could only turn the ball over the bar. Town broke the Abbey Hey resistance with a double salvo before the break. A right wing corner from Evans evaded the collected players at the front post and found its way to Chris Burke who stooped to head it home. Rob Hanley and Ledsham linked for the second goal as the former flicked on for the latter to beat his defender and rifle a right footed effort into the net from just inside the box. A quick start to the second half saw Town put the result beyond doubt by the hour mark. After Mike Faragher and Hanley had spurned good chances, Ledsham returned the favour from the end of the first half by flicking on a goal kick to Hanley who beat a defender and slotted home. On 58 minutes a slick turn my Ledsham saw him fouled by McElroy and Mr Salisbury pointed to the spot. Skipper Dyson stepped up and slotted the penalty to the keepers right and the stopper went the right way but could not keep the strike out. The visitors then took their foot off the gas with the game in the bag and Abbey Hey pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when Wayne Welbeck cut inside from the right and shot past McCall from 16 yards. In the closing stages Dyson linked with Ledsham with the skipper thundering a shot off the base of the post and behind for a goal kick. As the game entered added on time Town added a fifth. Man of the match Ledsham advanced down the left wing and cut into the box before beating a defender and squaring towards Hanley the cross deflected off the defender and goalkeeper before Hanley poked the loose ball home to crown an excellent debut. So Town go into Tuesday’s home match against Bootle in a lofty second position but will be in for a more stern test of their credentials at the hands of their neighbours. Abbey Hey; Jones, Sinclair(D.Davies 52), Mike, Donnelly, McElroy(C), Massey, M.Brown(Braithwaite 60), Dicks(Welbeck 60), Thomas, Doherty, A.Brown. Subs Not Used; Riley, S.Davies. St Helens Town; McCall, Elias, McLoughlin, Kay(Anders 90), Burke, Dyson(C), Stephens, Ledsham, Hanley, Faragher(Frazer 77), Evans(Monteith 82). Subs Not Used; Scully, Woods.
