ST Helens Town gained two more impressive wins in their latest pre-season games last week, in different circumstances.

On Tuesday evening at Lostock St. Gerard’s near Preston, in unforgiving heat, Town adopted a defensive formation for the first three quarters of the match, soaking up all the West Lancashire League side could throw at them, before seizing control late on to run out 3-0 winners, thanks to two goals from youngsters Will Threlkeld and one from Danny Brady, two of which were assists from captain Andy Gillespie.

Gillespie did not turn out at Lytham Town on Saturday and Matt Hodge deputised for Lee Novak in goal and St. Helens took the game by the scruff of the neck, going three goals up in the first 20 minutes.

Threlkeld netted the first, his fourth in three games and Cole Ashton scored the second.

Hodge pulled off four or five excellent saves, but he had no chance with the penalty that gave Lytham a foothold in the game, but Town scored again before half-time, going in 4-1 ahead. Lytham pulled back another goal before Chris Lomax completed his hat-trick, although brother George claimed one of the three. Lytham netted again near the end, but Town still ran out comfortable 5-3 winners.

Town are in action again tonight (Thursday), at Prescot Cables’ ground in a “home” friendly against last season’s Premier Division runners-up Runcorn Linnets, kick-off at 7pm.

There are two friendlies on Saturday, both away, at Lincoln Moorlands Railway and, more locally, at Billinge, then final pre-season games take place on Tuesday evening, with the squad again split into two, with evening kick-offs at Atherton Town (6.45) and Hesketh Bank (7pm).

he League campaign begins in earnest a week on Saturday at Carlisle City.

Don’t forget the St. Helens Town exhibition at Central Library, running from Monday 1 to Friday 5 August.

The George Mahon Trophy (won in 1949), the former Lancashire Combination Trophy (won in 1972) and a replica of the FA Vase (won by Town in 1987) will be on display, along with the kit Barry Lowe wore in the Wembley final, along with a large amount of memorabilia and a film of the FA Vase Final.

Club officials will be available on Wednesday afternoon to assist visitors and reminisce about their memories and celebrate 70 years since the club was re-born, 30 years this season since the FA Vase was won and the impending move to Ruskin Drive, including the move back to the traditional blue and white colours.