ON a day which saw over 500 fans turn up at Windleshaw, FC St Helens didn’t disappoint as they gained another three points on their march towards the title and go 14 points clear, writes Liam Grice.

The Stripes won 1-0 to do the double over Daisy Hill.

Mike Smith’s side started the faster as winger Thomas Scarborough used his blistering pace to get in behind The Daisies defence, but his cross didn’t hit the target.

It was FC’s turn to try again as striker Joe Barker beat the offside trap and rounded Morgan Newns, but he couldn’t quite take his chance as his effort were eventually smothered away.

In the 20th minute Barker’s partner in crime Josh Hall was fouled inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty, a chance he unfortunately could not convert.

Not to be deterred however, Hall once again battled in the box after Joe Barkers header looped in the air and Hall was in the right place at the right time to poke home and give the Stripes a deserved lead.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, but Joe Barker may feel like he could have extended his sides lead, but he couldn’t have expected Newns to produce a ‘Save of the season’ contender to keep the score at 1-0.

After the turn of the half, the game turned into a battle. Both sides created half chances but no side could quite find the cutting edge.

The best chance of the second half fell to the visitors just on the hour mark. Right-back Elliot Bradshaw’s back pass was a victim of the pitch which meant Ryan Talbot found himself bearing down on goal, but Joe Mason was on hand to bail his team out and keep The Stripes ahead.

As the game came to a close, FC proved why they are now 14 points clear as they showed their professionalism and grit to secure an important 1-0 win.

The striker proved again why he is so crucial to this Stripes side. Despite missing a penalty, he didn’t let it affect his performance and bagged the all important goal to take his tally to 23 for the season, and secure three more points.