Squires Gate 3-0 St Helens Town (From St Helens Star)

Squires Gate 3-0 St Helens Town

7:12pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in Sport

St. Helens Town lost again on Saturday, going down 3-0 to next-to-bottom Squires Gate, in a disappointing defeat which meant the two clubs changed places in the table, putting Town back in the relegation zone.

Following a series of encouraging displays, St. Helens had been favourites to win this battle and, with the two clubs due to meet again at Edge Green Street a fortnight on Saturday, Town have put themselves under pressure at a crucial stage of the season.

The game started well for Town and they must have thought the result was theirs for the taking, but Squires Gate, fresh from a 2-2 draw at high-flying Bootle and the appointment of a new manager, had other ideas. Phil Williams and Ste Edwards were lively in the opening exchanges, both having early chances, before the Blackpool outfit laid siege to the St. Helens goal.

The best chances of the half fell to the visitors and, on 27 minutes, Town should have gone ahead through Charlie Stoker, who turned the defence and hit a great shot, which goalkeeper Rogerson just saved.

Lee Crompton then had a header saved on the half hour, following Phil Williams’ free kick and with the game approaching half-time, with the score-sheet blank, Squires Gate failed narrowly with a shot from Bamba, which should have been a wake-up call for Town.

The second half performance from St. Helens was poor. Crompton got his head to a corner, only for Chris Williams to hit the rebound directly at the keeper on 48 minutes but, within 4 minutes, Gate took the lead, Bamba putting the ball into an empty net after Lee Novak had come out to close down substitute Walker.

Town’s Harrison saw his shot saved by Rogerson two minutes later and as time wore on, Town failed frustratingly to capitalise on a number of errors from the home keeper, before Walker scored a second for the home side on 70 minutes. Nine minutes later, the game was snatched out of Town’s reach, when Rothwell lobbed Novak from 20 yards.

With the score at 3-0, St. Helens were awarded a penalty, when Crompton was pushed in the back in the box, but Shaun Judge, just on as a substitute, saw his shot saved by Rogerson. Looking at the positives, Town are only a point behind Squires Gate, with three games in hand. With 10 home games – including matches against Squires Gate and Stone Dominoes - and only four away games remaining.

Another trip to the Fylde coast on Saturday to face AFC Blackpool is next on the agenda, with no midweek game scheduled before Congleton’s visit to Edge Green Street on 16th March.