Nine goal thriller as Town extend unbeaten run

WARRINGTON Town celebrated Non-League day and the unveiling of their new club mascot the Legend with a nine goal thriller as they defeated Harrogate Railway Athletic 6-3 at ther Winner Recruitment Stadium.

The victory, in front of their biggest home crowd of the season of nearly 500, saw the Yellows consolidate third place in the league table, just one point off the top, as they extended their unbeaten league run to nine games, including eight wins.

But manager Shaun Reid would have been a little disappointed to see his side concede three soft goals as they led 5-0 with less than 15 minutes left on the clock, as the visitors pegged it back to 5-3 before Nathan Burke sent the home fans happy with a goal in stoppage time.

There was little sign of the goal fest to follow in the opening 15 minutes, with the biggest excitement coming as a Vulcan Bomber, making its last ever flight, flew over the stadium.

But with Warrington on top, they nearly took the lead on 17 minutes when a great ball into the box by full-back Alistair Brown was pushed the wrong side of the post by Burke.

But a minute later Warrington were in front as good work by Gahgan inside the box saw the ball hit from the cross bar and bounce out to Ben Deegan who had a tap in to make it 1-0.

The visitors had their first real shot in anger on 27 minutes but Karl Wills was able to deal with it and then Warrington went straight up field and scored as the Railway keeper Goodwin was unable to hold a shot which came out to Scott Metcalfe who fired left footed into the back of the net.

Although their chances were few and far between the visitors had a clear cut chance on 31 minutes when a swinging ball from Thirkell was headed wide by Barrett.

The last chance of the half fell to Warrington but Metcalfe sliced his shot wide with the score remaining 2-0 at the break.

The half-time break saw the introduction of Warrington Town’s new mascot, the Legend, who took part in a race with other mascots, including Viking from Widnes RL – but there was only going to be one winner – with the Legend showing a clean pair of heels to the chasing pack.

Warrington came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders scoring three quick fire goals in less than five minutes, through Kilheeney (49) Deegan with his second (50) and then Gahgan (53) which should have made the game dead and buried at 5-0.

Manager Reid rang the changes after Gahgan’s goal, bringing on Roberts for Ventre, Gillespie for Kilheeney and then on the hour Wharton for Deegan.

Gillespie saw an effort tipped over the bar on 66 minutes and a minute later Wharton set up Burke six yards out but he blasted the ball high over an open goal.

Then on 70 minutes Gillespie was hauled down in the box, picked himself up to take it but saw his shot well saved by the keeper diving low to his left.

The two gilt edged misses seemed to inspire the visitors who had offered little in attack and as Warrington took their foot off the gas, Railway hit three goals in a nine minute spell, two from substite Owen and a third from Clamp, before Burke scored in injury time to complete the scoring.

Next up for Warrington is the visit of Droylsden on Tuesday evening kick off 7.45pm.