Shell 3 Helsby FC 4

HELSBY made it three wins out of three on Saturday and continued to set the pace at the top of the West Cheshire League Division One.

Helsby opened brightly and took the lead on the quarter hour mark.

A curling free kick from libero Nick Brookman was met swiftly by the head of Kevin Patterson, and the ball flew into the top corner past a stunned Shell keeper.

Helsby proceeded to take control during the first period, with Patterson, Peter Crane and Gary Jacques dictating the midfield play.

Helsby went further ahead before the break when Craig Dewhurst ran onto a through ball from Gary Tyrrell and cooly lobbed the advancing keeper.

Shell pulled a goal back early in the second half but almost immediately the visitors scored their third.

Mike Smith played an astute ball to midfielder Dewhurst who struck a thunderous shot past the Shell keeper for his second of the game.

With Nick Brookman hampered by injury, Helsby's defence was a little shaky and they allowed Shell back into the game at 3-2.

A piece of magic by Kevin Leech gave Helsby a two goal cushion once more, as he hit a 40 yard crossfield ball into the path of Tyrell.

The Helsby striker, and man-of-the-match, made no mistake with a powerful finish.

Shell scored at the death to make it 4-3, making the scoreline somewhat closer than Helsby's dominance deserved.

Helsby Res 0 Newton Res 3

HELSBY Reserves, still adjusting to life in the West Cheshire League, slumped to their second consecutive defeat.

The early exchanges saw the sides evenly matched, though Helsby were having to work hard against a young visiting team.

Poor defending saw Helsby concede a goal from a corner, and despite being driven on by man-of-the-match Peter Gobin, Helsby went 2-0 down on 40 minutes after a good Newton move.

A half time roasting from manager Brian McNamara lifted the home side, but they struggled to create any clear opportunities.

With several players out through injury, Helsby had an unbalanced shape and little cutting edge.

Even the second half introduction of last season's top scorer Steve Roughsedge had little effect.

Newton scored a third late on via a dubious penalty decision, leaving Helsby disheartened and in need of a victory to lift their spirits.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.