Guardian Sport

Blues savour a success close to three months after their previous victory

8:53am Thursday 12th January 2012

Winsford United 1 St Helens Town 0

ANDY Hurst came off the bench to end Winsford’s near three-months wait for a win.

His lofted finish, after racing onto Ryan Broadhead’s long ball, displayed a confidence that has been lacking in Blues’ play as they slipped into the Premier Division’s bottom half.

Their reaction was one of relief.

They survived a scare too; Jack McKay almost putting through his own goal in the last minute as the visitors attacked in search of an equaliser.

Winsford, a paltry haul of two points from the past 24 on offer, created enough chances to have won more than one game.

Daley Woods was denied by goalkeeper Richard Cowderoy early on, then Jamie Henders fired off target after captain Adam Foy had served an assist.

Foy’s next effort was blocked, Woods forcing Cowderoy to claw his shot from the rebound around an upright.

Danny Thomas headed inches wide from the resulting corner.

St Helen’s shot-stopper tipped Rick Bailey’s rocket to safety after he had surged forward, while at the other end Matt Conkie reacted brilliantly to block Michael Burns’ close range attempt.

Cowderoy continued to thwart the hosts, his save after Henders headed McKay’s cross goalwards the pick of the bunch.

The custodian rode his luck too, diverting Henders’ next effort to safety after the interval with his leg.

Conkie kept his sheet clean as a double save prevented Colin Quirk and Ian Frazer putting the visitors ahead, Hurst instead having that honour with ten minutes left.

Winsford Conkie (GK), Jack McKay, Thomas, Broadhead, Duckworth, Woods (Warburton 67), Foy, Bailey, Stewart, Henders (Hurst 80), Shannon. Subs not used Andrew Jones (GK), Lee Jones. Attendance 88.

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