Salford C 3 St Helens Town 0

THE desertion of last season's squad and staff just four weeks prior to the new campaign meant new boss Paul Lodge had to rely solely on youth for Saturday's opener and his St Helens Town side took the field with an average age of barely 21.

Not surprisingly the youngsters found it tough going against some seasoned ex pros in the Salford ranks but for an hour they gave as good as they got until heads went down after a calamitous second goal was conceded.

Town opened brightly and forced a couple of skirmishes but bodies blocked on target efforts whilst at the other end a glancing header by the unmarked Wilcock served notice of things to come as it flashed wide.

Following the early flurries the St Helens youngsters looked quite settled until suffering a setback in the 13th minute when Salford's Scott Weir put his side ahead despite a valiant effort by Town keeper Robertson.

Town's response was encouraging and they enjoyed a good spell with Peagram firing narrowly wide on the turn before home keeper McVey made a scrambling low save as Varn's effort took a wicked bounce.

On 34 minutes Town's skipper Gary Kenny stuck out an instinctive boot to divert Milson's low drive just wide.

The interval arrived with Town only having one more scare when home centre back Duffy got above everyone from a corner but his header lacked direction and signs were encouraging for the second half.

Within three minutes of the resumption Salford had Porter booked for a reckless lunge at Town's Kelly and home keeper McVey got a vital fingertip to the resultant free kick to send the ball skimming above the inrushing heads.

From this point it began to go wrong for Town as a Wilcock inspired Salford began to dominate and on 51 minutes a superb move ended with Weir heading Vaughn's cross against the crossbar.

However, a minute later the hosts doubled their lead when Town full back Dunne sliced his clearance enabling Graham Vaughan to race down the left and embarrass keeper Robertson by hammering inside the near post.

Dummy

Town now had a mountain which they never threatened to climb despite subs being introduced in the heat and on 61 minutes they went three down when Wilcock's outlandish dummy sent the Town defenders the wrong way leaving peter Smith free to pick his spot with a simple header.

Damage limitation was now the only agenda and keeper Ian Robertson played his part with two decent saves from Denning and Weir while Town's only chance of a consolation fell to Smith who saw the ball cannon off his knee on the six yard line.

The Town youngsters will be hoping for a good public response on Friday night, August 22 when most of them play their first ever FA Cup tie when Trafford come to Knowsley Road for a 7.45pm kick off.

Providing no replay is needed Town will be home again on Tuesday night, August 26 when newly promoted Stone Dominos are the visitors, 7.45pm kick off.