Daniel O’Connor continued his fine goal scoring run with a brace as Bootle continued their pre-season preparations with a fine win over St Helens Town.

The Bucks veteran, currently preparing for his eleventh season at the club, scored in either half to take his tally to four in three games and help maintain his sides unbeaten start to pre-season.

O’Connor collected his first of the evening after just five minutes. Robert Madine released the forward who caught St Helens goalkeeper Adam Fairchild out with a first-time effort that found the bottom corner of the net.

The Bucks continued to pile on the pressure with a two trialists going close before O’Connor headed Michael Ordish’s cross over from close range. Ordish himself then went close but his half-volley went well over.

However, mid-way through the half, the Bucks would collect a second when a trialist finished from close range after the St Helens defence failed to clear Josh Hamilton’s corner.

Nine minutes into the second half and the Bucks added a third through the trialist who scored the Bucks second of the evening. Paul Woolcott ushered Ordish forward who whipped in a first-time cross that the trialist confidently fired home.

Ordish then added a fourth for his side when he curled a free-kick into the bottom corner of Adam Fairchild’s net.

Before St Helens got a goal back when a through ball split the Bucks defence allowing the St Helens attacker to fire past Jordan Gidley.

Minutes later though, the Bucks restored their four-goal advantage when O’Connor collected his second of the game. The influential Ordish crossed from the left and O’Connor rose highest to head the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

St Helens did manage to find the net two more times before the ninety minutes were up, but they were no more than mere consolations.

Elsewhere on the same night, another Bootle XI had a fine win at Hesketh Bank. Last season’s top goal scorer, Ryan Cox, fired a hat-trick before strikes from Ste Jones and a trialist, and an own goal handed the side managed by Phil Stafford victory.