Alsager Town 0 St Helens Town 2

TOWN'S impressive pre-season build up was given the acid test on Saturday, when their new season began in earnest at Alsager and they passed the examination with flying colours and but for home keeper Rob Powner, would have won by five or six.

It was a display of total teamwork and crisp inter-passing which had the Cheshire side on the rack but ironically it was they who had the first chance on five minutes, when Town's Maguire dummied a low cross only for Peter Hewer to anticipate but waste a great chance with Paul Dahl stranded.

This was the only lapse of the afternoon as Town got their flowing football going and Powner made two flying interceptions as Fairbrother and Milson rained in crosses.

On the half hour Powner produced a wonder save from Gibiliru's power header then scrambled to his feet to save McAllister's follow up.

Town were flying and Andy Flood who had previously blazed a great chance over, atoned for his error by rifling home Town's first goal following a left wing corner in the 35th minute.

The quality of the St Helens football at this point was first class as one touch passing ripped open the home cover and Powner had to clutch Fairbrother's attempted lob before swooping bravely at McAllisters feet.

Alsager's only reprieve was the odd burst by right wingman Peter Hewer and Dahl had to be smartly off his line in the 41st minute, but the half concluded with total St Helens dominance with Powner producing another top drawer save to deny Jordan Milson.

By the turnaround it was clear that if Town struck early they could go on to swamp Alsager but that second goal couldn't come as Powner saved comfortably from McAllister before producing a great save to tip Cliff's screamer over.

Header

By the 65th minute Alsager, grateful to still be in the game began to enjoy a good spell but Hewer couldn't keep his header down and for a short spell Town had some defending to do but they remained disciplined to a man.

On 71 minutes Town's Joe Gibiliru tried an audacious lob from the centre circle but Powner retreated to shepherd the ball over his crossbar.

At last Town got the goal which emphasised their superiority and it came in the 76th minute when Paul Cliff beat the keeper in a chase onto Flood's superb diagonal pass and a side footer rolled into the unguarded net from 18 yards.

Basically it was game over as Town settled back and allowed Alsager a hint of a consolation but Dahl was equal to Parkinson's 25 yard dipper and by the final whistle St Helens were happy with their fine start whilst Alsager were happy that they hadn't been mauled.

This Saturday Town entertain Abbey Hey at Knowsley Road (3pm) before travelling to Colne on Wednesday, August 25 (kick off 7.45pm).