WARRINGTON Town’s slim hopes of securing a play off place all but disappeared after a poor 2-1 defeat at home to Radcliffe Borough, when despite dominating proceedings for the majoity of the game, fell to a second half brace from the Bury outfit. 
The game started slowly with the visitors Dave Sherlock being the first to go close, shooting over when well placed. Town were soon dominating proceedings, with the majority of possession, winger Chris Gahgan shooting wide from the edge of the box after good work by striker Gavin Salmon. Salmon found himself bearing down on goal, only to see his square pass go behind the on-rushing Alan Collins, and just a minute later Collins forced Radcliffe’s ex Manchester United keeper Nick Culkin to make a fine save. The best chance of the half fell to Salmon, whose shot on the spin went narrowly wide of Culkin’s upright. Despite their dominance, Town had to be content to go in level at the break.
The second half started as the first half had ended, with Town controlling the game, Salmon seeing his header from six yards deflected behind for a corner, after an excellent Louis Corrigan cross, however, a minute later visiting striker Ben Wharton forced Paul Pritchard in the Town goal to make a crucial save to keep the game scoreless. Captain Mike Tomlinson saw his blast from the edge of the penalty area well saved by Culkin at full length. The game opened up, with both sides looking to score, what would be a crucial opening goal, Sherlock forcing Pritchard to make the save of the game, plunging low to his right, to claw away Sherlock’s close range effort.
Warrington winger Gahgan then shot narrowly over when well placed. Corrigan was next to shoot over for Town, this time from the edge of the penalty area. Town came close to scoring soon after when Salmon’s header went narrowly the wrong side of the upright, before debutant substitute Craig Davies saw his header strike the cross bar and rebound to safety.
Town went behind, as they fell victim to a sucker punch, striker Ben Wharton heading down a long ball to Sherlock who drove home into the far corner. Town pressed forward looking for an equalising goal, but were hit on the break soon after, substitute Osebi Abadaki getting on the end of a counter attack to chip the on rushing Pritchard and find the back of the net.
Town went close to pulling a goal back with four minutes left, when substitute Chris Thompson saw his overhead kick, saved brilliantly by Culkin. Town pulled a goal back from the resulting corner, when Tom Hardwick met Gahgan’s cross and planted a bullet header into the roof of the net.
But it was too little too late.
Pictures show Sam Finlay taking on the Radcliffe defence and goal scorer Tom Hardwick.
For more pictures CLICK HERE
Town: Pritchard, Humphreys, Corrigan, T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Wright (Thompson, 79), Hamid, Finley, Collins, Salmon (Craig Davies, (d) 66), Gahgan, subs not used: Heald, R Hardwick, Jukes
Play-off hopes fading fast for Town
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
