Barker's goal puts FC St Helens back to winning ways

The Stripes came into this one in dire need of a win and a desire to restore some normal service and momentum — having lost two consecutive league fixtures, for the first time in the campaign.

Likewise, the visiting outfit arrived at SMS Pro Soccer Park on the back of an uncharacteristic defeat — having succumbed to FC Isle of Man, last time out.

And it looked like the outcome of the encounter would turn in the visitors’ favour, with them having the better of the earlier proceedings.

However, Joe Mason in the FC St Helens goal was on hand — in every sense — to ensure that they were restrained as much as possible.

Having initially been forced into an amazing save from point-blank range, he was called into action again — to ensure that Robert Flynn’s stinging strike from distance was kept at bay.

But, if those saves were of an exceptional standard, his next was of an even higher calibre.

Lewis-Simon Byrne has been the outlet for the majority of the high-flying visitors’ goals, this season, and his eyes must have lit up — when bearing down on goal.

However, with confidence and quality in abundance, Mason was there once more to get down and execute brilliant reflexes.

That proved to be the wake-up call that Michael Smith’s side needed.

Having carefully crafted their first opening of the evening, James Flight volleyed marginally wide.

That came just before one of the evening’s more contentious moments.

Barker was clattered in the penalty area in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Irlam and history would repeat itself, with the outcome remaining the same — spot-kick appeals not coming to any avail.

Not disheartened by that, however, The Stripes would go for goal again.

Tom Scarborough was making his first start since a long injury lay-off — his cutback fortuitously deflected into the path of Tom McNamara, whose goal-bound effort was superbly blocked.

Barker would be in the thick of the action once again, as is so often the case.

His lobbed attempt caused problems for the opposing goalkeeper — before Jack Ball’s volleyed follow-up was somehow cleared off the line.

There would be further frustration for FC St Helens, who were cursing their luck — when Josh Hall’s effort somehow rebounded into play, via the inside of the post.

However, the SMS Pro Soccer Park side were well within the ascendancy, continuing to be so on the other side of the break and were thoroughly rewarded for their endeavours.

Flight produced a stupendously good pass to pick Scarborough out and his cross was met by that man again, Barker, who continued his rich vein of scoring form with a header that he buried.

With that, the hosts were fearless and were involved in another potentially decisive moment.

Scarborough chased a seemingly lost cause, before drawing a foul from goalkeeper Morgan Bacon.

On this occasion, a spot-kick was awarded and Ball had the opportunity to double his side’s lead.

However, Bacon would make amends with an impressive save to deny the FC St Helens legend.

But, the home side weren’t set on resting on a one-goal lead and threw caution to the wind.

Hall’s desire and determination was there for all to see, throughout the encounter’s entirety — but, having linked up well with strike partner Barker, his certain goal was kept at bay by a last-ditch challenge.

The visiting outfit most certainly weren’t out of the contest, however, and with a final roll of the dice, they thought that they’d found their highly sought after equaliser.

Nathan Carnell was on the field of play, having replaced the injured Harry Hagan, and produced an amazing challenge to slide in and deny an inevitable goal.

That concluded what was a phenomenal performance for an FC St Helens side that looked much like their better selves — claiming all three points on an evening when they did all associated with the club proud.