Haslingden 1

St Helens Town 4

Vauxhall GM 3

St Helens Town 0 THE curtain came down on Town's season at Vauxhall GM on Saturday where a 3-0 defeat was sparse reward for a performance which merited better.

But, lacking punch, they were picked off by the Motormen in this private battle for fourth place in the NWCL top flight.

Despite this, Town can be proud of what has been achieved this term and 78 points from 42 games means a honourable fifth place finish behind Kidsgrove Athletic, Burscough, Newcastle Town and Vauxhall.

A measure of Town's pedigree is that with the exception of Newcastle Town against whom Town drew twice, all the others were beaten by Jimmy McBrides men in one of the meetings. So all augurs well for the future with the spirit at Hoghton Road as high as the glory days of the FA Vase success.

Steve Pennington was top scorer with a marvellous 47 haul and his season's swansong was at Haslingden last Thursday night when a 'brace' enabled an over-elaborate St Helens to take the points despite facing 10 men for most of the match. Despite always being the better Town found themselves behind at half time when Haslingden's Gardiner forced home following a corner and the hosts' loss of the red-carded Kelly meant little as half time was reached with Town a goal adrift.

All the time it seemed a St Helens goal must come but it didn't with home keeper Parrott doing very well and it was not until the sides were equalled out at 10 apiece that things began to happen. Mick Gilmore was Town's dismissal but the restructure bore fruit when Kirwan headed the equaliser on 79 minutes and when Pennington powered home a near post header two minutes later the show was over.

Pennington then volleyed a third before Chris Quirk ripped in for Town's fourth in the last minute and another 'double' was completed. On Saturday at Vauxhall, neither acting skipper Quirk or Pennington were available and it was the subtle difference between success and defeat and a relieved Vauxhall helped themselves to their first win in four games against Town this term to secure fourth place. For an hour Town were the better but lacking punch they fell behind to a superbly worked goal converted by Young in the 62 minute. Young was again the scorer four minutes later when a poorly defended free-kick bounced across the gaol face to be turned inside the far post and with Walmesley spurning Town's lifeline when blazing over it was never going to be St Helens day.

The final goal came with the game's last action when Langley netted from a complete miscue which spun in off the post and the season was over but despite the defeat Town need feel no remorse for a worthwhile effort.

Already, things are in place for next season with the entire squad pledged to the club for next season and Jimmy McBride has pulled a off a coup through John Dehan who has indicated that the entire Wigan Athletic first team squad will be on view in a pre-season friendly at Hoghton Road on Wednesday July 29. Town would like to thank main sponsors ICF Liftruck Services for their valued backing and also to all supporters and advertisers for their support.

An excellent season will be celebrated at the presentation dinner this Saturday at the Waterside Carr Mill.

Lottery numbers 1 4 5 6 9 14. No winners. This weeks jackpot £1420 on numbers 1-13.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.