St Helens Town score five and book a semi final berth

On the same weekend that the Saints faced a potentially tricky cup tie away at West Hull, the footballing Saints playing in the red away colours that symbolise St.Helens Town's original kit from 1901 also faced another tricky cup tie. After the disappointment of last week's Cheshire league cup defeat away to Stretford Paddock, Paul Piert's men were determined to start well as they visited nearby Rainhill Town reserves in this Liverpool County Junior Cup quarter final. The 2025 Town vintage have designs on creating their own historic season and as Liam Diggle's diagonal ball set Charlie Leech free, the young speedster finished with a cracking volley on 6 minutes much to the delight of the 40 or so travelling Town fans. Diggle was dominant in the early exchanges and after Ethan Wetton had beaten two defenders on 30 minutes he laid the ball back for Diggle to score with a powerful low drive from 20 yards. Town were in the ascendency but Rainhill had other ideas and after hitting the woodwork twice inside a minute they were finally rewarded when Luke Edwards who had formerly played for Town at North West Counties level turned smartly and struck well inside the box. His shot was adjudged to have been handled and Rainhill had a penalty. The ensuing spot kick was saved excellently by Lewis Jenkinson at full stretch and Town had a two goal lead going into the break.

After the disappointment of last week's Cheshire league cup defeat away to Stretford Paddock, Paul Piert's men were determined to start well as they visited nearby Rainhill Town reserves in this Liverpool County Junior Cup quarter final. The 2025 Town vintage have designs on creating their own historic season and as Liam Diggle's diagonal ball set Charlie Leech free, the young speedster finished with a cracking volley on 6 minutes much to the delight of the 40 or so travelling Town fans. Diggle was dominant in the early exchanges and after Ethan Wetton had beaten two defenders on 30 minutes he laid the ball back for Diggle to score with a powerful low drive from 20 yards.

Town were in the ascendency but Rainhill had other ideas and after hitting the woodwork twice inside a minute they were finally rewarded when Luke Edwards who had formerly played for Town at North West Counties level turned smartly and struck well inside the box. His shot was adjudged to have been handled and Rainhill had a penalty. The ensuing spot kick was saved excellently by Lewis Jenkinson at full stretch and Town had a two goal lead going into the break.

Town then came out for the start of the second half with a bang. Ethan Wetton dribbled into the box and put Town three up to settle any early nerves before the crowd had chance to return from their half time cup of tea. Manager Paul Piert brought on Ellis Morris and Will Clapham and they would be heavily involved in Town's next goal.

Clapham beat two men on the edge of the box and slipped the ball to Wetton before he played in Morris whose well timed run allowed him to finish for his first senior Town goal. Town were four up but in almost a mirror image of the first half, Rainhill would rally again and this time would score with a tremendous goal as Reuben Edwards lobbed the advancing Jenkinson to pull one back for the home team. Town were able to allay any fightback by tightening up in defence with the performance of Chris Foster a particular highlight.

Foster seemed to be first to every loose ball and was a rock for Town in a game that at times was a physical affair. He would take the St.Helens Borough Food Pantry player of the match award just ahead of captain Liam Diggle who would score Town's fifth and his second of the day with a strong run and left foot finish after picking the ball up close to the sideline.

Town advance to the semi finals but the cup run will be put on the back burner for now as they return to league action next weekend. Newton Athletic of Chester will be the visitors in a 3pm kick off at the PSD Vehicle Rental Stadium, Ruskin. Entry is free courtesy of MCR Building Services.

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