Five show from Town

WITH five wins from five league outings under their belt, St Helens Town take a break this weekend as hundreds of clubs embark upon the road to Villa Park in the Carlsberg FA Vase.

Town's exploits in reaching the last 16 of the competition last term earns them an exemption until later rounds, so a free weekend allows time to reflect on their fine start to the current campaign.

Saturday's latest success came at Flixton where they took their goal tally to 19 and the pleasing thing is that the haul has been compiled by ten different scorers, evidence of free flowing teamwork.

The game began in squally showers and within seconds Town's Baker had wasted a decent chance from Morgan's free kick but probing down both flanks they did not have to wait long for their opener.

It came in the seventh minute when Flixton's Kempton completely miss-kicked an attempted clearance just inside the area and Tommy Baker nipped in to lob over stranded keeper Merrick.

Just two minutes later Flixton should have levelled when Baker made an error of judgement out wide enabling Williams to cross deep to the far post but Jackson headed over the bar when unmarked.

Generally, however, it was St Helens calling the tune with Cooper sending a teasing low cross across the goal face before Baker's control let him down as Langley's fine pass opened up the cover.

This fluency and invention was to cease in the 20th minutes when a double sending off disrupted the pattern and as Iveson (Flixton) and Morgan (St Helens) went for an early bath, the game became scrappy as both managers shuffled their systems.

One player who did maintain his earlier standards was Town's Mark Wilde and he was behind his side's best efforts when firstly his 30th minute header hit the post before, in the 36th minute, keeper Merrick produced a fine save from another Wilde header.

Approaching the break the Town front man was cynically chopped by Jones just outside the box earning the Flixton man a booking but it was Jones who had the half's last word when bursting from the centre circle to send a 30 yard 'dipper' narrowly over the St Helens bar.

The rain had become more incessant as the second half got under way with Town having withdrawn the injured Baker and Langley, with Farrell and Dunn deputising. Nestor at this point, became far more prominent as Town were to dominate second half proceedings and he had an early effort deflected wide by Williams in a scramble.

On 56 minutes Dunn completely miss-cued a virtual 'tap in' from Coopers low cross and as Wilde tried his luck from distance home keeper Merrick got down well to the skidding effort.

The half ebbed away with Flixton posing no threat but still only a goal down mainly thanks to a sterling performance by their centre back Anthony and it was not until the last ten minutes that Town emphasised their superiority.

Skipper Chris Quirk scored his sides second goal with a 30 yarder which skidded off the wet turf beneath the keepers dive and with Flixtons resistance now gone, Town threatened more.

Lee Dunn sprang the offside trap to go on unchallenged before slotting past Merrick to make it 3-0 on 84 minutes and it should have been four three minutes later but Reay allowed Wilde's low cross to run through his legs with the goal gaping.

Town's next match is at Knowsley Road on Wednesday, September 26 when Nantwich Town come for a league fixture. Kick off is 7.45pm.