ST HELENS Town returned to winning ways with a wonderful 3-0 win over Atherton LR on Saturday and returned only their second clean sheet of the season.

The back four worked together as a unit, following the example of Andy Webster, Andy Presho and Dom Whelan growing in confidence and Paul Cliff was a revelation at left back.

Carl Williams, back from injury, had an easy ride in the Town goal.

Up front, St Helens were the more eager of the two sides and much more positive than the team that took the field in the reverse fixture at Crilly Park at the end of August when Atherton scored at either end of the game to run out 2-0 winners.

This time around, Town had far more appetite, despite missing the influential Danny Greene and Luke Edwards.

The only surprise was that it took them 40 minutes to open the scoring, but what a goal it was.

A defence-splitting pass over to Jake Young, playing at number 11, was met first time and his classy finish managed to “nutmeg” both the last defender and goalkeeper Louis Murray.

Hardly had the second half begun than Town lain siege on LR’s goal and Murray was at fault again as he failed to hold the ball from Cliff’s shot and Shaun Brady was on hand to bury the rebound.

Town dominated the whole of the second half, but took until the third minute from time to score their third goal, which came in similar circumstances to the second, this time Brady’s shot rebounded off the keeper for Hal McHugh to net.

The win made no difference to Town’s position in the table, keeping them in 19th place ahead of a home game against leaders Litherland REMYCA on Saturday.

Two previous games this season have resulted in narrow defeats: 0-1 away in the league and 1-2 at home in the Liverpool Senior Cup.

Maybe this time it will be different.