A hat-trick by young Alsager Town midfielder Ryan Wintle was the highlight of an entertaining Bullets victory against St Helens Town on a bitterly cold afternoon at Wood Park on Saturday. The pitch survived a morning inspection following sub zero overnight temperatures and the 110 spectators certainly weren't disappointed as both teams played their part in an enthralling game.

The match got off to a dramatic start in the opening seconds when Alsager midfielder Tom Brown, collected a yellow card for a rash and unnecessary tackle in the centre circle. The visitors made the early running but on the quarter hour mark it was the Bullets who opened the scoring when Wintle side-footed the ball home from close range after Dave Harry's initial effort had been blocked. Ten minutes later and with the home team in a dominant mood, Wintle scored his second after a fine pass from Pete Heler. However, from a position of some comfort, the ball was needlessly given away in the 39th minute and St Helens number 9 Chad Whyte powered forward unchallenged to pull a well-taken goal back for the visitors.

The second-half started much like the first and it was no surprise when Andrew Gillespie equalised in the 53rd minute, reacting quickly to score from an angle after Alsager keeper Steve Dryden had pushed the ball away from a well struck free-kick from the edge of the box. At that point the match was in the balance, but it was that man Wintle who headed the ball into the net on the hour to complete his hat-trick, the first by a Bullets player this season. Both teams had further chances and opportunities, but Alsager put the result beyond doubt, when substitute Jordan Elcock scored in the 90th minute, turning his marker and shooting home after controlling a long free kick which had found him on the edge of the area.

This was another good victory by the Bullets, although the game was closer than the score-line suggests. They have scored 11 goals in the past three games but having conceded 9 the propensity for needlessly giving the ball away in key areas remains.

Man of the Match: Ryan Wintle. A classy and accomplished performance from the youngster who has spent the past week on trial at Crewe Alexandra.

Next at Wood Park: Saturday 24th January 2015 v Winsford United. Kick off 3.00pm. All support most welcome.

Leading Alsager Town goal-scorers: Michael Blundell 17, Ryan Wintle 9, Shane Reaney 8, Josh Gordon 7,

Ian Woodward