Hanna Chlodek’s third goal for the club proved only to be a consolation with the Merseyside outfit running out 2-1 winners.
Dale intended to start on the front foot, which showed when Sophie Coates played a lovely through ball into the path of Katie King, who’s powerful strike evaded the target.
St Helens grew into the game and mustered their first opportunity, working the ball into a dangerous position, that was squandered, putting the ball wide of the post.
Moments later, a beautifully weighted pass, which broke Dale’s high line, left a one-on-one with goalkeeper Leah Jackson doing well to deny the forward and claim the ball.
After 18 minutes, St Helens grabbed the lead. A free-kick floated to the back-post, with a commanding header converted for an early setback for Dale.
Dale tried to hit back promptly, Gracie Smith played an excellent through ball to King, who just couldn’t get on the end of the pass.
Halfway inside the opening period, St Helens were awarded a penalty. The attacker found herself through on goal with Ellie Jones adjudged to have caught her marker.
The penalty was slotted into the bottom-right corner to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
Daisy Mason returned from injury off the bench in an attempt to claw back the game.
Phoebe Duckworth made a burst forward and almost netted, however the ball dragged the wrong side of the post.
St Helens countered Dale but, a brilliant piece of defending from Nicole Malpus, denied the chance for St Helens to go three in front.
Dale kept probing at the away side’s defence and a brilliant pass from Isabelle Hunt sendt Mason running down the wing. The forward then played a simple pass to Chlodek who cut inside and placed the ball into the bottom right corner for a goal back.
That would be the final chance of the game with St Helens taking all three points to go six points clear of Dale in the standings.
Lee Atkinson spoke on his team’s desire to try and get something from the game.
“It’s a tough defeat, we played some good football and we was in for the battle.
“We said at half time, let’s try exploit the wide areas instead of going through the middle.
“St Helens were compact when defending and there was space to be attacked on the wing.
“Our players have the ability to take on defenders and Hanna’s goal came from running at the full-backs.
“We just fell slightly short in a performance to be proud of.”
Lee spoke on the upcoming league fixture away to Ashton next weekend.
“We need to go there with aggression and start well on the front foot and I think we can get something from the game.”
Dale XI | Jackson, E. Jones, Malpus, Whyte, Smith, Moran, Coates, Barnett (c), Duckworth, King, Burke
Subs | Nash, Hunt, Hayden, Mason, Chlodek
