Speedy start helps Hassy close the gap

WEST LANCS LEAGUE DIVISION 1 HAS ST MARY’S .......... 4 LYTHAM TOWN ........... 1 STEVE BAYES FIFTH-PLACED Haslingden St Mary’s played hosts to fourth-placed Lytham Town knowing a victory would take them to within a point of their visitors with two games in hand.

St Mary’s were out of the blocks right from the start, going ahead on only two minutes when a Nick Clemons free kick caused chaos in the Lytham six yard box and Tom Hulme forced the ball over the line.

Two minutes later St Mary’s doubled their lead when captain Mickey Saunders laid the ball square to Scott Wylie in space and he fired across the keeper into the corner.

St Mary’s were playing good football, and after going close on a couple of occasions they scored their third when a Paul Wadsworth headed the ball forward, it was picked up by Tom Hulme who laid a perfect pass into the path of Wylie, who took the ball forward and fired under the keeper for his second of the match.

St Mary’s continued to dominate the half, with their defenders in control of any Lytham breakaways, and the midfield controlling the game it looked like they were going to rack up a big score with Lytham struggling to cope with the lively St Mary’s forwards, but there was to be no more goals in the first period.

St Mary’s couldn’t be expected to keep up the pressure for the whole match and the second period started well for the visitors, they reduced the arrears in the 49th minute when St Mary’s failed to clear a Lytham corner and Hanslip fired home at the back post.

The goal lifted Lytham and they took control of the play and forced St Mary’s back.

But they failed to convert their pressure into goals and on 82 minutes the game was made safe with a great goal.

Some brilliant passing in midfield saw the ball played to Saunders who burst into the area, he drew the defender and then squared the ball to unmarked Wylie who had time to control the ball and fire home to complete his hat-trick,

A great all-round performance and result gives them a boost when they start the defence of the President’s Cup in two weeks against Lytham again at home.

St Mary’s reserves also returned to winning ways with a great 6-4 away win over Chew Moor Brook Reserves. The St Mary’s scorers were Craig Watts, Paul Hooper (3) Zak Simpson, and Wayne Duxbury.