Billinge New Street got back to winning ways on Saturday with an excellent 3-2 victory over Styal at Barrows Farm.

On another day it could have finished 8-7 with the number of chances both teams created on a sweltering day in Billinge.

As it was Styal made the early running and went ahead on 11 minutes when Rob Black lost his defender and slotted home.

This woke up The Storks and they took the game to the visitors with Jimmy Howard creating havoc in the Styal defence but unfortunately, he couldn’t quite score going close on three occasions.

Scott Maher produced a great run before seeing his shot saved before an almighty scramble almost produced an equaliser as Warren Gerrard and Jordan Pilling both had attempts cleared. However, on 35 minutes Gerrard found Pilling with a neat pass and this time Pilling's shot evaded several defenders before nestling in the back of the net.

Whilst Billinge were now in the ascendancy they didn't have it all their way as Joe Simms had a great chance to put Styal back ahead but fired well wide.

New Street manager made a couple of tactical changes at the break as players were flagging in the heat and it was one of those substitutions - Colin Stephen - that put his side ahead on 50 minutes.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the area he curled a lovely shot into the corner of the net to make it 2-1.

With Connor Simpson and Gerrard controlling the midfield Billinge gained control of the game and went 3-1 ahead on 70 minutes with a goal as good as you'll see all season.

Keeper Danny Still showed Jordan Pickford-like accuracy with a lovely pass to Howard out wide, who brought the ball down with one touch and crossed to Jamie Cardwell who in turn chested the ball down and passed it to Gerrard who volleyed home from 18 yards.

Styal responded well and Still had to be at his best with his hands producing a wonder save to deny the visitors a second goal while Simms had two more glorious chances to reduce the deficit.

As it was Styal did get their second well into added time when Ben Lawson headed home from a corner but there was no time left and Billinge collected the points with a well-deserved victory.

After the game Hallwood was pleased with aspects of the performance saying, "We needed the win after losing the last two and I thought we were excellent in patches.

“The midfield worked well, and we created plenty of chances, but I felt we were slow out of the blocks, and we need to start games better.

"However, in that heat you just have to pace yourself and I'm absolutely made up with a win against a very good side."

It was a member of that midfield Gerrard who picked up the SC Renewables man-of-the-match accolade for an excellent all-round performance that was crowned by an excellent goal.

On Sunday Billinge New Street's Under-18s started their season in the Warrington Junior Football League Premier Division with a 1-1 draw with Lymm Piranhas JFC.