Barnoldswick Town 4 St Helens Town 1

IT was a day for the new boys as Barnoldswick Town secured a victory which lifted them out of the relegation zone at the Silentnight Beds Stadium on Saturday.

Pride of place went to former Silsden striker Tom Henderson who scored a hat-trick on his debut, while Town's opening goal was fired home from the penalty spot by 16-year-old Jack Tinning, who was playing his first home game since joining the club from FC United of Manchester.

The Town starting line-up also included a third new signing, Zachary Cooper from FC United of Manchester, while a fourth recruit, Gareth Hill, was on the bench.

Town started well and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Tinning raced into the penalty area where he was brought down by Aaron Morris as he went past him. The youngster picked himself up and sent keeper Rory Crowther the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Town continued to press and a Joel Melia cross on the St Helens left saw Chris Ridehalgh head just over at the near post. Melia was a constant threat and forced Crowther to dive to his left to make a save at full stretch after 22 minutes.

Crowther’s clearance resulted in the ball being swept down the middle of the Town defence to Andrew Gillespie who rolled the ball past Scott Reid in the Town goal.

The home side continued to dominate the game, Tinning sent a left-foot shot just wide of the target before Town regained the lead.

Melia ran into the St Helens penalty area and unleashed a fierce shot that Crowther tipped onto the underside of his crossbar. Henderson was the first to react and slid the rebound home from three yards out.

The Town defence were coping well with the St Helens attack. Reid's only save came when Marcus Perry shot straight at him.

St Helens had their best spell just after the half-time interval. A good run and cross by Gillespie to the far post saw Thomas Moore heading over after 50 minutes. A minute later Jake McEneaney hacked the ball clear at the far post from a Jack Hont cross, with Moore closing in menacingly.

Town made their first substitution after 65 minutes, Tinning, who had taken a heavy tackle in the first half, limped off to be replaced by Harry Thompson.

A further Town substitution saw Mark Threlfall replace Cooper and he was instrumental in his side's third goal. He headed the ball into the path of Henderson who applied the finish.

The match was finally put to bed after 81 minutes when Crowther brought Threlfall down to concede a penalty. Henderson immediately picked up the ball and slotted the spot kick into the net to complete his hat-trick.

St Helens substitute Paul Cool-Hannah was sent off five minutes from time for persistent dissent.

Threlfall went close before the final whistle as Town secured a victory which takes them out of the relegation positions at the expense of AFC Blackpool.