St Helens Town 3 Atherton LR 0

ST HELENS Town made it two wins from three games in the North West Counties First Division as they brushed aside struggling Atherton Laburnum Rovers.

Liam Dodd and Andrew Gillespie were on the scoresheet to give Town an element of control before the break, with Dale Korie-Butler adding a third goal late on.

Town had been beaten in the reverse fixture in September, but that never looked like happening here as they took command of proceedings early on.

They were in front after just 15 minutes when Andy Presho's free kick hung in the air long enough for the unmarked Dodd to rise and head Town into the lead.

The hosts peppered the Atherton goal after that, with visiting keeper Danny Havern being forced into a number of impressive saves in order to keep his side in the game.

It was becoming a question of how big Town's margin of victory would be and that was aided five minutes before the break with a contender for goal of the season.

Skipper Gillespie, returning from a three-match ban, found himself in space 25 yards from goal and let fly with an effort which gave Havern no chance as it soared into the top corner.

After the break, Town played the game in second gear in order to conserve energy for the remaining eight games of the season.

The visitors posed no threat and were duly put out of their misery in the final ten minutes.

After a neat passing move involving Gillespie and Paul Carney, the ball was fired across from the left touchline and found Korie-Butler, who struck his 10th goal of the season.

Although promotion seems out of reach, Town can still play a big role in who reaches the Premier Division.

They entertain fourth-placed Whitchurch Alport tonight, Thursday, kick off 7.45pm, before travelling to Widnes, who sit fifth, on Saturday, kick off 3pm. They then host Chadderton on Tuesday.