WARRINGTON Town followed up their cup win in midweek with a return to winning ways in the league, beating Halesowen Town 1-0.
Striker Danny Hattersley ensured there was no hangover from the departure of last season’s top goalscorer, Ciaran Kilheeney, to Droylsden in the week as his goal on the stroke of half time was enough to decide this game.
It leaves Warrington still with an outside chance of the play-offs, if only they can build a run of wins in what is an increasingly competitive division.
The first half was virtually a non-event, with very little of note happening until Hattersley broke the deadlock in injury time.
He showed good strength to hold off a couple of defenders and kept his cool when it looked like he had held on to the ball for too long, poking the ball past a wrong footed goalkeeper.
Prior to that, the Yellows had the better of the play without creating anything in the form of a clear cut chance, the main threat coming from a dangerous Sean Williams corner which was cleared from the six-yard box.
The goal coming barely seconds before the half-time team talks did seem to fire the hosts in to action.
They almost doubled the lead within a minute of the second half starting, Michael Monaghan releasing Connor McCarthy through the middle and when the ball broke loose, Josh Askew’s driven shot was deflected just wide of the far post.
McCarthy then almost had his first goal for the club as he turned wonderfully in the box and got a shot away, which didn’t quite curl in enough and clipped the outside of the goalkeeper’s right hand post.
The impressive Williams came close with a 20-yard free kick which he whizzed just past the post and it looked like a second goal was just a matter of time.
Hattersley was the next man to have a go, Scott Harries’ direct run from right back ended with a clipped ball in to the box and the striker turned and shot wide.
Halesowen almost made Warrington pay for their wastefulness on 72 minutes, when a ball from the right fell nicely for Lee Chilton, who hit a sweetly struck left-foot volley that brought the best out of Tony McMillan to his right.
The Yellows continued to search for a second goal and a comfortable ending without success, though the final few minutes were made a little easier when Ethan Delaney saw red for a studs up challenge on Billy Smart.
Warrington are in league action again on Monday, with a trip to Stourbridge, before Coalville visit Cantilever Park next Saturday.
Warrington Town: McMillan, Harries, Askew, Ventre, McCarten, Gumbs, Williams, Smart, Hattersley (Jerome), McCarthy (Codling), Monaghan. Unused subs: Vassallo, Carden, Shaw.
Halesowen Town: Platt, Morrison, Taylor (Lewis), Denny, Slade, Charlton, Birley (O’Neill-Martin), Clarke, Dunkley (Wallace), Delaney, Chilton. Unused subs: Wheatley, Oday.
Hattersley takes ont he Halesowen defence – Picture John Hopkins
Hattersley scores – picture John Hopkins
Hattersley is congratulated – Picture John Hopkins
