Congleton Town 1 St Helens Town 4

OF their ten league outings up to and including last Saturday, Town had lost just once and that was against Congleton Town at Knowsley Road in August but there was to be no 'double' for the 'Bears' as St Helens avenged that defeat in style.

Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs, Town used the long throw ins of Barnes to good effect early on and a couple of skirmishes were survived by Congleton prior to their first real chance on nine minutes when a rebound fell into Petrie's path but his shot sailed well over.

At the other end Town's Robinson and Cunningham latched onto poor clearances but couldn't hit the target with home keeper McMahon out of goal.

Generally Town were looking the most likely and on 21 minutes they took the lead in spectacular fashion when from Milson's free kick a defensive header only reached the area's edge where Chris Sheppard unleashed a horizontal volley which flew in.

On 34 minutes Town almost made it two when Congleton made a hash of a short corner kick and were left short at the back as Robinson and Gibiliru broke downfield but the latter's lob just cleared the bar.

A minute later however, the scores were level when Town conceded a throw in on their right and as the ball was fed inside, Brian Burns rifled a 'bender' inside Dahl's near post.

The scores only remained level for five minutes as close to the interval Town's Milson produced a defence splitting pass and Joe Gibiliru struck a sweet ground shot beyond McMahon's right hand.

The pivotal moment of the game came just two minutes into the second half when Town were awarded a free kick out on the left and as Milson's delivery skimmed across the rising heads and keepers fingertips, Congleton's Steve O'Hara had the misfortune to slice his attempted clearance into his own net.

The 'Bears' visibly wilted from this point and Town threatened further goals which only desperate defending denied but having survived, the hosts mounted a couple of useful raids one of which needed a decent Dahl save from Dolan.

Dolan was again involved minutes later but Burns couldn't keep his shot down.

But by the 70th minute, St Helens decided to press the pedal again and McMahon was at full stretch to tip Milson's cross shot around the post and from the resultant corner kick, Barnes twice came very close with Dolan defending solidly.

On 73 minutes Town's Robinson was replaced by Molyneux who was about to make an instant impression on the right when his run and perfect cross was volleyed home by Chris Sheppard for his second goal of the afternoon and at 4-1 St Helens were cruising.

On 77 minutes Congleton summed up a bad day when they were awarded a penalty for hands against Milson but Dahl read Burns intentions and saved the spot kick with the ball eventually going over in the scramble.

Captain

Late on the hosts had a trio of good shots but it was routine stuff for captain Paul Dahl as his St Helens side continue to march on.

This Saturday Town entertain Squiresgate at Knowsley Road with a 1pm kick off being negotiated but not yet confirmed.

Supporters are asked to ring the NWCL leagueline on 09066 555 944 for confirmation. On Monday October 11 Town meet Curzon Ashton at Stalybridge Celtic's 'Bower Fold' ground, kick off 7.45pm.