Saints travelled away this morning to take on Winwick who are lying low in the league.Going into the game confidence was high with everyone expecting lots of goals.However one look at the pitch which had a massive slope on it and was in pretty poor condition,all expectations of a Saints masterclass were put on hold,couple this with a very strict referee who had already told Saints manager Gary off for checking if the match ball was fully inflated we knew this match would be one of those days !!!

The 1st half began with Saints playing up the slope with a 4-4-2 formation and the lads began really well,playing some nice football in all positions.However you could just feel that Winwick were really fired up for this game and they made it difficult early on for Saints to find any clear cut oppourtunities.But after 7-8mins Liam opened up the scoring with a nice finish after a defence splitting pass from Thomas Lyon.Soon Saints found the goal again..Ryan Derbyshire with a powerful and well placed strike high into the roof of the Winwick goal.With Saints really on-top they pinned Winwick into their own half for long periods,with shots flying in from everywhere Winwick did well to keep the scorline to only 2-0.Winwick did come back into the game towards the end of the first half and managed to pull a goal back with a finish from a tight angle.

Half time Winwick 1-2 Saints 

At the interval we asked the lads to revert to a 3-5-2 because we were playing down the slope in the 2nd half,a couple of changes were made and the lads went back on the pitch for the 2nd half.

2nd half began and it was all Saints,Winwick found themselves facing an on-slaught from the Saints as they went in search of more goals.After a few shots that went close Saints found the net as they piled forward,Liam again with the goal,placing a lovely shot high into the corner of the Winwick goal.With Saints 3-1 up the lads started to up the tempo soon Liam got his Hatrick with another wonderful solo effort that beat the Winwick keeper at the near post.At 4-1 the lads were comfortable,but as we all know as coach`s we are never happy and for a 10 min period the lads lost their way a little with some very sloppy play in the middle and wide positions.With some stern words from the touchline the Saints lads found their game again and went in search of more goals.But they ran into the man in black !!! the referee was if I`m honest very very strict and he was alittle harsh on the Saints lads as the game progressed.I dont think he gave us anything and was badly positioned for many tackles that warranted freekicks to Saints.

However the Saints lads carried on and went on to score two more goals...Elliott Kirwin with a strong run and finish from the left and finally Saints goal machine Liam netted his 4th goal.Saints had Winwick under pressure for very long periods in this 2nd half as Winwick`s sloping pitch did the home team no favours.!!!..As the game was approaching the final whistle the man in black finally grabbed all the attention that he was craving as he some how found the need to YELLOW CARD Saints central midfield play-maker Sean Doyle...for apparently elbowing a Winwick player from behind whilst he was trying to win the ball back.If I know Sean....this lad would never and HAS NEVER done this before in any match that he has played for St Hellens Town.....so I think it was a very harsh booking indeed.

Final score Winwick 1-6 Saints  

Summary;

Winwick have improved alot since we played them last and that coupled with their determination and the poor pitch did Saints no favours and they had to work hard to win the game.The scorline should have been more but as I said before the Saints lads didnt have their shoting boots on today and lots of good scoring chances were missed.This will be talked about in training on Wednesday and we will work to put this right.

On a positive note..a good away win and six goals scored to keep our Goal difference in the league table high.Also some very good performances today from Thomas Lyon at the back who again is showing week after week good reading of the game and picking his passes very well,one of which sent Liam clean through to open the scoring,so well done T-Bone.Sam Mitchell was back to his best in the heart of midfield and put in a great display.Ryan Derbyshire was again rock-solid at the back and dealt with everything that came his way,also scoring for the second week in a row in the league and taking his total for the season 13 not bad for a Centre Half !!! Finally Liam Lane.....what can you say about this lad...apart from goals,goals,goals.....another 4 for Liam today taking his tally for the season SO FAR to 31 from 15 games WOW !!! well done Liam and keep it up mate.

Last but not least and personnal word from me........to all the Saints team,just remember that ALL of you are a TEAM and it will not be tolerated from any player who blames or gives another team mate a hard time,weather it be on the pitch or at school..you have been warned !!!

WELL DONE LADS............ONWARDS AND UPWARDS..........COME ON THE SAINTS

Next week we are playing Bruche at Sutton Leisure 10.30 am