Helsby FC 3

Mersey Royal 2

AFTER a shocking midweek performance and defeat at General Chemicals, Helsby returned to winning ways with a 3-2 home victory against Mersey Royal.

Helsby manager Frank Cannon was forced to make a number of changes to his side due to injury, meaning debuts for Mark Slator and Dave Nethercott.

The home side started in determined mood and went 1-0 up through a classic goal from Gary Tyrell who beat three men and then dipped a surprised Mersey Royal keeper.

More good work from Mom Tyrell led to Helsby's second as he again dribbled past three visitors defenders, rounded the keeper but was brought down attempting to square the ball to Mike Smith.

Craig Dewhurst stepped up to slot home the ensuing spot kick.

Helsby went in at the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead but replacing Nethercott with Nicky Brookman seemed to disrupt their defensive stability.

Mersey Royal pulled goal back after 50 minutes and then a mix-up between Stuart Iddon and teenage keeper Slator saw the visitors equalise on the hour.

Helsby manager Cannon then made an inspired substitution replacing Kevin Leedon with John Hardman.

With just five minutes left, Hardman ran from his own box to pick out Kevin Patterson with a lovely cross and later did the rest with a clinical header to secure a 3-2 victory.

West Cheshire AFL Division Three

Aintree Villa Res 1

Helsby Res 1

AFTER a good draw at Maghull on Monday, Helsby Res picked up another hard earned point at Aintree Villa.

Helsby turned in a useful first half performance and went in 1-0 down at the break after Aintree scored from a 25 yard drive.

Helsby lost defender Graham Ramsden during the interval and were forced to introduce veterans Liam Furlong and John Buckley.

With 15 minutes left good work from Tony Prior and Steve Roughsedge created a chance for Peter Gobin who squeezed the ball in from eight yards for Helsby's equaliser.

The visitors were unlucky not to take all three points when the Aintree keeper pulled off a fine save from Geoff Tann's curling free-kick.

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