By Kevin Marriott

WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Ilfracombe Town 0 St Austell 3

JACK Crago scored twice as St Austell rode a first half onslaught from struggling Ilfracombe to win with something to spare at Marlborough Park on Saturday.

The prolific striker, on loan from Helston while he is suspended from playing in the Southern League, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

Neil Slateford doubled the Lillywhites’ lead from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half and Crago wrapped up the points with his second goal after 66 minutes.

Crago, who had also scored twice on his St Austell debut in the 4-0 win over Welton Rovers at the start of the month, has been an astute acquisition, albeit only for the short term.

Manager Chris Knight said: “It was a long old trip up and back to a really difficult place to get a result but the drive home was much better after a great win.

“We know they are scrapping for their lives, we’ve been there this season, so we know they’d start fast and they did.

“The pitch made it impossible to play any football so it became a game of second balls and set plays really, not a great watch.

“We always looked a threat on the break and were solid as a rock defensively, so it was great to get one on half-time, Jack has been great for us.

“Second half was night and day, we were energetic aggressive and much better and we go and win the game easily, a great win and a clean sheet.”

Knight paid tribute to veteran clubmen Tom Whipp and Olly Brokenshire.

He said: “The whole squad played its part but I must mention the old boys. Tom was fantastic again and when you go to places like that you need your captain and vice-captain and they were both fantastic.

“It’s their club, it means a lot to them and their performance showed that, both of them were brilliant.

“Olly’s had the hump with me and rightly so. I haven’t been picking him, but he was magnificent.

“I think he would have headed a breeze block if I asked him to, what a leader and what a great pair they are. I only wish we had a ‘time machine’ for them, but sadly we don’t.

“On to another big game on Saturday and a run of home games that we are really looking forward to.”

Ilfracombe remain third from bottom, one place above the relegation zone having played a game more than St Blazey, whose fixture at Oldland Abbotonians was a victim of the wet weather.

St Austell sit 11th in the table and are just goal difference away from being in the top half after Ivybridge Town’s clash at Nailsea and Tickenham was postponed.

Nailsea make their first-ever visit to Poltair Park on Saturday (3pm) to take on the Saints who would move level on points with the Somerset outfit with victory.

St Blazey will look to get their campaign restarted when they visit Bridgwater United (3pm).

ST AUSTELL: Andy Collings, Jake Shaw (Bradley Hoskin), Martyn Duff (Josh Penrose), Tom Whipp, Olly Brokenshire, Henry Wilson, Neil Slateford (capt), Matt Searle (Callum Watson), Adam Carter (Kieron Bishop), Jack Crago, Ryan Downing (George Marris).

St Austell man-of-the-match: Olly Brokenshire.