The basement battle of the Hallmark Security League Division 1 saw FC Oswestry Town host St Helens Town at The Venue in a match that could prove season defining for one or both teams come the end of the campaign. St Helens were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Hemsworth Miners Welfare in the Buildbase FA Vase last weekend, and were looking to add to their encouraging 2nd half performance by collecting their 1st league victory of the season. It could be argued that Oswestry would be the Blues’ favoured opponents as they had lost all 7 of their league matches to date. Lee Jenkinson and Nick Robinson made 3 changes from that match, with 2 of them coming in the forward line. Shaun Brady and Neil Weaver, who both made substitute appearances 7 days ago, come in for Joel Douglas and Tom Potter respectively, with debutant Alex Ashby replacing Alex Hope-O’Connor in midfield who dropped to the bench.

St Helens produced the first dangerous opportunity of the match, with a quick thinking free kick from Ant Whelan finding new signing Alex Ashby in space, the right winger flashed a ball across goal but there was no player in red on hand to connect.

Some good pressing work from Ashby inside Oswestry half forced a corner for the away side, he took and found captain Liam Dodd with a free header but he could not get any direction on the effort as it went harmlessly over the bar. Oswestry responded immediately as Jacob Farleigh flashed a ball across goal only to find Andy Webster who made a vital clearance.

As Oswestry started to apply more territorial pressure, they were forcing Town into fouling their players in dangerous area. A trip from Owen Dursley provided Daniel Tinsley with an opportunity from just outside the area but his free-kick went just over the bar. St Helens transitioned play to the other end of the pitch and Danny Lomax produced a fine save from the Oswestry keeper Louis Mackin who somehow tipped his looping effort over the bar.

Lomax continued to threaten which culminated in giving St Helens the lead just after the half hour mark. The dangerous Alex Ashby wrongfooted Oswestry’s Brendon Price, his cross found Shaun Brady whose effort was blocked before Lomax stabbed the loose ball home.
HT: FC Oswestry Town 0 – 1 St Helens Town (Lomax, 33)

The away side come out for the 2nd half looking to continue where from where they left off in the 1st. They were handed the perfect start as an Ashby free-kick from the right found the head of Neil Weaver, the Oswestry keeper Mackin thought the ball was heading over the bar which resulted in a belated effort to claim. The ball eventually looped in off the post to put St Helens in control.

Oswestry looked to respond as Jacob Farleigh was played in down the left, he cut inside in the penalty area but was prevented by a terrific tackle by Andy Presho before he could get his shot away. Farleigh was presented with another chance minutes later, he skipped away from Dursley but his attempt could only strike the face of St Helens keeper Adam Fairchild in his “hi-vis esq” jersey.

The visitors afternoon got even better soon after, Shaun Brady, now playing on the left hand side, picked the ball up inside his own half, he burst his way past the Oswestry defence, before firing in at the near post to give St Helens a commanding lead. Town’s confidence was flowing, and even centre back Liam Dodd tried to get in on the act. Lomax pulled a ball back from the by-line but Dodd’s shot was agonisingly wide past the far post.

St Helens survived a few late chances from Oswestry to claim a first win of the season.

FT: FC Oswestry Town 0 – 3 St Helens Town (Lomax, 33) (Weaver, 48) (Brady, 59)