St Helens Town 3 Great Harwood Town 1 TOWN earned a trip to Northern League outfit Ryhope (Sunderland) with a fine second-half display following a disappointing goalless first half.

Town took the lead in this first qualifying round replay when Walmsley's downward header found the net on 73 minutes following a succession of corners.

On 77 minutes Walker's superb run and cross found Donlan at the far post who made it 2-0 with a stooping header.

Great Harwood pulled a goal back on 85 minutes as Baker scored from 10 yards. But Town made the game safe when Walmsley scored with a deflected shot for his second and Town's third.

Ramsbottom United 0 St Helens Town 5

TOWN continued their winning start to the season with a stunning performance away at last season's Division Two champions Ramsbottom United.

The Rams caused Town some early problems with Kirwan blocking an Orrell shot and Allison saving from Keegan.

Donlan went close for Town, left back Burke clearing off the line, but United could have taken the lead on 15 minutes when Langhorn, who had replaced the injured Hunter, fired wide when clear.

On 18 minutes, against the run of play, Town took the lead when Hill beat right-back Charlton and his cross was flicked on by Donlan for Walmsley to score with a low drive from eight yards.

Langhorn responded for the Rams, bringing an excellent one-handed save from Allison before Town made it 2-0 when a sweeping move involving Walmsley and Donlan resulted in Hill's shot being deflected past keeper Purvis on 32 minutes.

Town seemed to have too many attacking options for United and right back Walmsley's 60-yard run saw him evade several challenges before being hacked down on 40 minutes. Walker coolly despatched the penalty for a 3-0 half-time lead.

Town started the second half playing superb possession football and took total control with Lowe and Williams supporting the attack. And on 54 minutes Gilmour added a fourth with a powerful downward header from a Phoenix corner following good work by Hill and Gwyther.

St Helens were now causing United all sorts of problems with their attacking options and Walker fired over from a great move by Phoenix and Gwyther.

The Rams had not managed a single shot of note during this period and on 70 minutes Town introduced substitutes Vedmore, Ellis and Pennington for Walker, Williams and Gwyther.

Ellis was in action immediately with a fine tackle on Orrell and on 85 minutes his early ball found Hill in acres of space on the right and having rounded the keeper slipped the ball through to Pennington who had the simple task of sliding the ball into an empty net to complete a great day for Town.

Town: Mike Allison, Chris Walmsley, Stu Phoenix, Gary Lowes, Paul Gwyther, Paul Kirwan, Steve Williams, Mick Gilmour, Glen Walker, Phil Donlan, Francis Hill. Subs: Dave Vedmore, Dave Ellis, Steve Pennington.

Town are in FA Cup action again on Saturday, September 27 with an away tie at Ryhope (Sunderland). Coach leaves Hoghton Road 10.45am and should a replay be required this will be Wednesday, October 1. Otherwise Town are away to Holker for a league encounter on Tuesday, September 30.

WINNING numbers in the St Helens Town Lottery were 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. One winner, G. Brown of Sutton, wins £1,225.

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