Town gift Granite a debut victory (From St Helens Star)

Colne 1 St Helens Town 2

12:55pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Sport

NEW Town boss Ian Granite started his tenure with a battling victory in the North West Counties season opener at Colne’s XLCR Stadium.

Early pressure told when the impressive Ash Rimmer did well down the right wing.

He found Stephen Edwards, who jinked past a defender before curling his shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Edwards went close to extending Town’s lead when his header smashed against the crossbar and away to safety, while Andy Mawdsley forced a fine save from the home stopper.

Colne rallied late in the first half and Craig hit a thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty box which gave Town keeper Newbrook no chance.

Newbrook kept Town in the game early in the second period as he twice outfoxed Fildes in one-on-one situations.

Late in the game the home side should have taken the lead when Coote headed over after a pin-point cross from Fildes.

At the other end Scott McNair went close for Town and Rimmer was denied a clear penalty when he was pulled back in the box.

Town were not to be denied and three minutes from time man-of-the-match Craig Fitzjohn chested down a free kick before turning and unleashing a strike which left Thompson grasping thin air.

Edwards was on target again for Town as they recorded a second successive Premier Division success on Tuesday.

He scored the winner for the hosts against AFC Liverpool after Francis Barry had cancelled out Lee Crompton’s early opener.

A 2-1 success leaves Ian Granite’s men sharing an early lead at the league table’s summit with fellow fast-starters Bootle and Winsford United.

Bootle proved too strong for top tier newcomers Wigan Robin Park in midweek, while Winsford came from behind to beat Norton United at Barton Stadium.

Town host Abbey Hey on Saturday in the FA Cup, kick off 3pm, before welcoming Norton United to Edge Green Street on Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm.