Match Report: Longridge Town 5-1 St Helens Town

An injury hit Longridge side welcomed St Helens Town to The MRG yesterday looking to get back to winning ways following the midweek draw with AFC Blackpool.

With Hart, Ince, Doughty and Murphy all out through injury, Ashey welcomed back Gary Basterfield and Joe Melling with Paul Turner starting up front alongside Richie Allen.

On a freezing, but sunny Ribble Valley afternoon, captain Michael Morrison led the way finishing from close range after a Brad Wicks corner with just seven minutes on the clock. 1-0 and Town settled well with Turner in particular looking sharp.

Danny Gardner was enjoying plenty of space down the right-hand side and almost added to the scoreline with a quarter of an hour gone.

Joe Melling, playing wide left beat his man and put in a glorious cross to the far post, with Gardner's header flashing just wide.

The Home crowd didn't have long to wait however as Wicks drove in a second goal with 17 minutes gone.

The ball broke loose from another Town raid down the left and the midfielder 'pinged' a superb right footed shot past the St Helens keeper to make it 2-0.

The lead was almost increased moments later as Morrison produced a spectacular overhead kick from the edge of the box that cannoned off the crossbar to the despair of the crowd.

At this point you couldn't see a way back into the game for the visitors as Town looked confident in possession and untroubled at the back.

However, a defensive mix up after 37 minutes allowed Andrew Webster to finish past Dovey and put the visitors back in with a chance. 2-1 Town as half time approached.

Thankfully Paul Turner scored a third with two minutes of the half remaining to give the scoreline a fairer reflection of the half, the youngster volleying home from close range at the far post to make it 3-1 as the whistle blew for half time.

Conor Linighan was replaced by Gary Basterfield as the second half got underway, with Town continuing to spray the ball around at will and dominating possession of the ball.

The game went through a 'flat' period as Town moved the ball around without creating too many clear cut chances.

Harvey Close was introduced in place of George Melling, and skipper Morrison was rested with Tuesday night’s game at Carlisle City in mind, youngster Charlie Egan replacing the Captain.

Both lads made an impact before Danny Gardner got the goal that his recent performances have been threatening, arriving late at the far post again to finish with a right footed effort from six yards. 4-1 Town with 12 minutes remaining.

Six minutes later the goal of the game put the icing on the cake for Town, Turner's superb through ball finding Joe Melling whose low cross was again met by Gardner who fired home for his second goal of the game.

5-1 Town, who were applauded from the field at the end of the game by the 122 in attendance.

This win puts Town two points clear at the top of the Hallmark Securities NWCFL Division One North, with second placed Carlisle having played a game fewer, and Tuesday night sees the first meeting of the two clubs with a 7.45 Kick Off scheduled at The Don Marks Carpets Stadium.