Town let a two-goal lead slip (From St Helens Star)

Town let a two-goal lead slip

11:46am Monday 22nd October 2012 in Sport

St Helens Town 2 Alsager Town 2

FOR the second successive week Town threw away a lead as this time they succumbed to a late fight back from Alsager Town.

Town started very well and had Alsager on the back foot in the opening quarter.

The game’s first chance saw a Phil Williams cross from the left gathered well by ‘keeper Harrison in the visitor’s goal when under severe pressure from Carl Osman.

Osman did well on the left in beating a defender advancing into the area and hitting a curling effort which forced Harrison into a fine save.

The impressive Williams was involved again on 15 minutes when he combined with Osman and his back post header found Scott McNair who could only steer his effort narrowly wide of the upright.

Alsager hit back as the half unfolded as Broadhead sent a free header wide before Turner spurned a fine chance as he shot straight at the Town ‘keeper Novak.

The final chance of the half fell to Town as confusion in the Alsager defence saw Clarkson head past his own keeper when under pressure from Andy Newcombe.

However, the defender recovered to beat Newcombe to the ball as it sailed towards the open net.

Town dominated the vast majority of the second half and early opportunities fell to Williams and Osman, with the latter inches off target with Harrison rooted to the spot.

The two wide men were now running riot and Williams found space in the box after a cross from Osman but his effort was hit straight at Harrison and eventually cleared.

The deadlock was broken on 69 minutes when Osman sent a fine cross from the right wing and Ste Edwards timed his run to perfection to get between two defenders and slot home.

Just three minutes later Town doubled their advantage as Cole Ashton latched onto a poor kick from Harrison in the Alsager goal and he found Williams who got to the edge of the box and fired in an effort despite the fingertips of the visiting ‘keeper.

Williams could have made it three when his curling effort went narrowly wide.

With the game seemingly won Town made a couple of changes and the momentum was lost and allowed Alsager back into the game.

Substitute Marrow halved the deficit on 82 minutes when his glancing header from the edge of the box looped into the top corner and the comeback was complete on 86 minutes when a diagonal ball found Skellern and he advanced before firing home to level matters.

Town had two good chances to take all three points late in the contest as Ash Rimmer fired over the bar with only the ‘keeper to beat before a flowing move involving Howard and Williams saw Edwards head over when it seemed easier to score.

Town’s attentions turn to the League Cup as they host AFC Blackpool at Edge Green Street this Saturday with a 3pm kick off.