A DISAPPOINTINGLY flat performance at Litherland Sports Park last Wednesday night left St Helens Town on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline, of which former Town wingman Karl Bergqvist was the chief architect with two goals and a corner kick which led directly to the opening goal.

This was the first meeting between Town and Litherland REMYCA, who finished last season in ninth position in their debut campaign. St Helens, without several of their early season regulars, began in sluggish fashion, going behind to a 13th minute strike from Chris Tyson, who gave Graham McLoughlin no chance with a daisy cutter of a shot from Bergqvist’s corner.

Town reduced the arrears to 2-1 three minutes later when Warren Twist met an Andy Gillespie cross and his shot was deflected past Dave Potter in the home goal by one of his own defenders.

REMYCA wrapped up the points in the 63rd minute when substitute Connor Murphy shot along the Town goal-line and although McLoughlin made contact with the ball, it spun back to Bergqvist, who tapped it into the empty net.

In complete contrast, a 3-3 draw against league leaders Barnton had St. Helens Town and their spectators reeling in disbelief.

On the face of it, this was a great result, but Town should have wrapped up the points long before the visitors scored twice in the last few minutes.

An early penalty from Gillespie gave St. Helens a second minute lead and, although Barnton were on top for almost the next hour of play, Town defended resolutely before the Northwich side equalised in bizarre fashion on 63 minutes.

A long punt upfield was held at full stretch by McLoughlin in the home goal, but the ball squirmed out of his grasp and another former St. Helens player, Chris Lomax, could not believe his luck as he dispatched the leather into the empty net.

The introduction of three substitutes by each side turned the game. Marcus Perry scored two unbelievable goals in the 78th and 79th minutes, the first one after an audacious one-two with Gillespie, to put Town 3-1 ahead then, having the game of his young life, he ghosted past three defenders and played a perfect ball across the goal-line, which Matty Lennon only had to touch to put his side 4-1 up, but he failed to react in time.

Back roared Barnton, as they threw the proverbial kitchen sink at St Helens and Lomax scored his second in the 89th minute, then with a wave of attackers besieging the home goal, substitute Robert Kinsella got the all-important last touch as the ball ricocheted back and forth amid the legs of the defence.

St Helens were in action again at Rochdale Town on Tuesday and they are at home again on Saturday at Brocstedes Park, when Cheadle Town will provide another stiff test for the exiles.