Match Report. FC St Helens (H). 29/3/25

Stockport Town take all three points away from playoff chasing FC St Helens in a 3-1 win at Stockport Sports Village.

The Lions return to winning ways after a 3-1 win against The Stripes with goals from Keane Barugh and Harrison Lomakin-Rogers.

Before this match, Town were looking to return to winning ways after losing 2-0 at home against second in the table and title chasers Lower Breck. Meanwhile, FC St Helens were looking to take home all three points in a bid to keep themselves within the playoff race.

Not long into the match, FC St Helens had a chance as Connor Spires broke through Town’s left and had a shot on goal but it went wide of Schofields post.

Just 2 minutes later, Adam Owen put in a left footed cross into Darren Ehimamiegho but a Stripes defender was able to clear it away just as Darren was about to meet the ball and fire it goalwards.

In the seventh minute of the game, FC St Helens once again had a chance on goal but this time from long range. Just a few minutes later the away side had another chance as a well placed cross found the head of Spires but his shot went over the bar.

Town had their first proper chance in the 15th minute as Toby Green took a shot from a free kick but due to the heavy wind at Stockport Sports Village, the free kick drifted wide.

In the 20th minute, Town played some excellent passing Football, and the lively Keane Barugh had a shot on the FC St Helens goal, but it went just wide of the away sides goal.

In the 25th minute, Town once again had another great chance through Jack Atkinson as he had a shot on goal as Town started to apply the pressure, but Joe Mason in the FC St Helens goal, made a good save to deny Atkinson to keep to score at 0-0.

Just a minute later, Town had a corner, Sam Hare took it, Joe Mason in the St Helens goal spilled the ball and it landed on the feet of Harrison Lomakin-Rogers who volleyed and it went into the back of the net putting Town in the lead after 26 minutes. A great, positive start of the game for Town.

Town had another good chance to extend their lead as a mistake from the FC St Helens defence and Ehimamiegho narrowly missed his header. The referee brough the first half to an end, a really good half for Town against 9th placed FC St Helens.

FC St Helens equalised on the 61st minute from a free kick, Christopher Hill got on the end of the free kick and into the back of Schofields net.

Not long after the equaliser, Town decided to make a change this saw Atkinson come off and replaced by Harley Monaghan. In the 67th minute Town made another change with Captain Sam Hare coming off for Callum Gardner. FC St Helens also made a double sub. This saw Liam Houghton and Josh Hall come on for Tom McNamara and James Flight.

In the 71st minute, The Stripes had another chance as Joseph Barker attempted an overhead kick and it narrowly missed the far left post. After that FC St Helens made another change, this saw Louie Sharp replace Liam Cuthbert.

In the 74th minute another mistake by FC St Helens goalkeeper and Barugh got on the end of a cross and put the ball in to an empty net. Straight after the goal Ehimamiegho was replaced by Kylan Depeiaza.

The referee blew the full time whistle and with that result The Lions moved up into 10th in The NWCFL Premier Division. FC St Helens are now mathematically out the playoffs due to the lose and other results elsewhere.

Stockport Town’s next match is on the 5th of April against Ramsbottom United away from home. 

Lineups:

Stockport Town: Schofield, Padden, Owen (87’ Kilner), Turnbull, Lomakin-Rogers, Johnston, Green (81’ Kvaternik), Hare (67’ Gardner), Ehimamiegho (75’ Depeiaza), Atkinson (64’ Monaghan), Barugh

Subs not Used:

FC St Helens: Mason, Hagan (Carnell), Ball, Hill, Bell, Cuthbert (Sharp), Spiers, Flight (Houghton), Barker, McNamara (Hall), Van-Aston (Smith)

Subs not Used: