A MUCH-changed St Helens Town Youth side lined up to face Rainhill Town in the Liverpool County u18 Sunday Youth Cup semi-final on a very impressive 4G facility at Rainhill High with numerous players missing through being cup tied, injured and holidays.

The game saw welcome returns to action for James Bradbury and Tyler Kilbride after lengthy injury lay-offs.

Town settled very quickly into a new line up and started off very brightly with a couple of early half chances falling to Matty Maddox down the left and with Ben McKenna always looking dangerous exploiting space down the centre and Connor Sanderson always threatening down left it seemed only a matter of time before Town went ahead.

A long range Jack Dougherty strike flew just over the bar, Connor Sanderson struck a blistering half volley just wide and crashed another effort against the bar with Ben just failing to convert the follow up a goal seemed inevitable.

The opening goal finally came on 28 minutes after a mazy Ben McKenna dribble through the centre of the Rainhill defence.

The second goal followed nineminutes later with Tyler Kilbride climbing above the Rainhill defence at the far post to head home and give Town a 2-0 lead at half time.

Second half saw Rainhill switch formation and they quickly got very much on top with Town pinned back for long periods as they repelled attack after attack.

However, Town went three ahead after 67 minutes after another amazing Ben McKenna run when he slotted home after running half the length of the pitch beating player after player - an unbelievable goal fit to win any game.

To Rainhill's great credit they never gave up and continued to press forward and were rewarded with a consolation goal with six minutes to go after a free kick from the right was headed home.

Man of the Match for Town was Ben McKenna for two great goals Town Youth will now contest the final with old friends Skelmersdale United Youth, who triumphed over Marine 6-5 in the other semi final, at the County FA ground on 1 May.