Quick-firing St Mary’s up to fourth

WEST LANCS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE DALTON UNITED ......... 2 HAS ST MARY’S ........... 4 STEVE BAYES HASLINGDEN St Mary’s were back in league action when they travelled to Cumbria for an away fixture against Dalton United.

And they met with stubborn opposition, but a great all-round team performance that brought a 4-2 victory and another hardearned three points.

Once more St Mary’s made a rapid start to the match going ahead on seven minutes when a Scott Wylie corner was forced home by Tom Hulme.

The game turned scrappy as Dalton broke up St Mary’s passing football, and on the half hour came a close call for St Mary’s as a Dalton corner was met at the back post with a point blank header that was brilliantly tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Danny Bell to preserve the one-goal advantage.

Three goals in as many minutes came as half time approached, on 40 minutes a great move from St Mary’s doubled their lead as Darryl Holland broke up a Dalton attack and played the ball to Hulme who helped it on to captain Mickey Saunders his first time cross was taken in his stride by Wylie who went past a defender and fired into the corner for a great team goal.

Two minutes later on 42 minutes Dalton pulled a goal back when St Mary’s failed to clear the ball and Balm fired home, but straight from the kick off St Mary’s regained their two-goal advantage when Paul Wadsworth got to the byline he crossed hard and low and the ball was turned home by a defender, so St Mary’s went in at the break with a 3-1 lead.

The second half started well with St Mary’s midfield of Hilton, White, and Cartwright controlling the game with veteran Lee Cartwright in ●● Scott Wylie outstanding form. But St Mary’s were caught on the hop on 60 minutes when Jones scored Dalton’s second goal,

But back came St Mary’s and on 68 minutes Saunders was brought down in the area but the referee waved away appeals and Wylie, following up, fired the ball against the post and away to safety.

But two minutes later St Mary’s pressure told as Dalton failed to clear the ball in the area and Wylie picked up the loose ball, evaded a tackle and fired the ball into the corner to restore their two goal advantage.

Another scare for St Mary’s as a ferocious Dalton free kick from 30 yards was heading for the bottom corner but another outstanding save from the reliable Bell diving low to his left to tip the ball round the post.

St Mary’s saw out the remaining minutes of an entertaining game for a well-earned three points, which takes them up a place to fourth and nicely placed with games in hand on two of the three teams above them.

Their next match is this Saturday when they entertain Wyre Villa with a 2pm kick off.

St Mary’s reserves are also in fourth place in the table after their top of the table clash at home to leaders Lostock St Gerrards Reserves.

St Mary’s scored the only goal of the game on 48 minutes with Johnny Heap on target.