LEAGUE leaders Northwich Victoria were held to a draw as Warrington Town started the New Year with a hard-earned point.
The local rivals exchanged first half penalties and neither could find a breakthrough after the interval in the swirling wind and rain at Cantilever Park, which was a major factor in a scrappy game.
Town’s top scorer Scott Metcalfe had the hosts in front inside five minutes, with a superbly taken penalty which came after Ben Wharton (pictured right) had been fouled in the box while challenging for a 50-50 ball.
But Northwich were back level by the half hour mark, when Karl Wills rushed out of his goal and brought down a flying Aboubacar Sanogo, who had just managed to get a toe to the ball before the goalkeeper reached it. Michael Roddy stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for 1-1.
Prior to that, neither side had created a clear cut opening. Wharton had a snapshot fall just wide for Warrington, while the closest Northwich came was when Michael Clarke headed wide when free in the box from a corner.
Roddy had a chance to put the visitors in front before half time, his low drive well fielded by Wills after some brilliant trickery down the right by Godwin Abadaki.
The second half was largely a scrappy affair as the conditions and slippery surface took its toll.
A lovely cross by Robbie Booth created an opening for Wharton, who again hit wide with a snap shot, but it was Northwich who looked more likely to create something.
Sanogo poked wide from a dangerous free kick on 65 minutes, before Brian Summerskill’s low right-footed drive was smartly saved by Wills.
As it was, neither side could find a breakthrough and they were forced to settle for a point – Town’s first over the festive period.
Warrington’s next game is a trip to Burscough on Saturday (1.30pm).
Prior to kick off there was a minutes silence in memory of former Warrington Town Chairman Bob Smith who died on Christmas Day after a short illness.
Nathan Burke in action
Warrington: Wills, Field, Hardwick, Mannix, McCarten, Robinson, Booth, Burke, Wharton, Tames (Ruane), Metcalfe (Gahgan). Unused subs: Beesley, Corrigan, Collins.
Northwich: Deasy, Smalley, Ali, Clarke, Henry, Cook, Summerskill, Roddy, Abadaki, Bennett (Amis), Sanogo. Unused subs: Meadowcroft, Gorman, Sharratt, Smith.
