ST HELENS Town bowed out of the FA Vase at the Third Round stage on Saturday, going down 4-2 to Northern Counties East Premier Division leaders Tadcaster Albion.

Without the suspended Hamish Falconer at the back, they struggled to cope with a first half onslaught which left the home side three goals down by half-time.

The early exchanges showed very little difference between the sides, but repeated failures to clear their own penalty box gifted the visitors an easy goal, tucked away by captain Nick Thompson in the ninth minute.

Town went on the attack in response and Kris Bell was agonisingly wide of the post with a wonderful strike after 15 minutes.

But the visitors stretched their lead seven minutes later when Dennie Ingram, left unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, had the easiest of headers, to give Albion a 2-0 advantage.

And, from that point on, it was difficult to see how Town could recover against a team with a reported playing budget of £1500 a week and, by some distance, favourites for promotion.

Ex-Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jonathon Greening controlled the game in the middle and just before the half-hour mark, his younger brother, Josh, leading scorer in the NCE Premier Division, let fly from 30 yards with a wonderful strike which gave Rory Crowther no chance and Tadcaster were home and dry.

They were stroking the ball about almost unchallenged for long periods and even after centre-forward Josh Barrett was stretchered off with a serious leg injury just before the break, there was no indication Town could ever turn the tie around.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, the referee somewhat harshly penalised Town just on the edge of their box and Josh Greening added his second with a curling free-kick, exquisitely delivered to stretch the lead to 4-0.

As on so many occasions this season, St. Helens have had to set out to outscore the opposition, rather than rely on defensive capabilities, but this is essentially a very young side, assembled from scratch over the summer break, who are gradually learning their trade but, by the time speed merchants Marcus Perry and Chad Whyte were introduced from the bench, the game was over.

However, the two strikers livened up the attack for the final quarter and Town restored some pride through a wonderful strike from captain Andy Gillespie, who shot from the corner of the box after a 30 yard burst on 75 minutes.

And, shortly before the final whistle, Perry scored in decisive manner after several ricochets in and around the visitors’ 18-yard box.

Town’s FA Vase campaign is over for another year, but they can look back with pride on four good wins and a very useful £3500 from sponsors Carlsberg.

To adopt an old football cliché, they can now concentrate on their league form and look to learn from this valuable experience turning their sights towards moving up the NW Counties Premier Division table.

Weather permitting, another big crowd is expected at Brocstedes Park on Saturday when promotion contenders 1874 Northwich meet St Helens Town for the first time.

Like Town, Northwich were disappointed to exit the FA Vase last weekend, having suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Glossop, so they will be looking to make up ground on Runcorn Linnets in their own push for promotion.

Formed by disgruntled Northwich Victoria fans a couple of years ago, they have been attracting crowds of 300-400 so a big following is anticipated, so spectators should get there early.