HONOURS ended even as Warrington Town drew 1-1 with early pacesetters, Trafford FC at the Abacus Solicitors Community Stadium, as they suffered the setback of losing a player with a dislocated shoulder for the second time in 48 hours.
Influential skipper Peter Dogan (pictured right) was taken to hospital by ambulance following the injury early in the second half when Town were leading 1-0 and comfortably in control for much of the game and now joins Kevin Townson on the sidlines, after the striker suffered a similar injury in Saturday’s FA Cup victory.
The departure of Dogan unsettled the balance of the team as Trafford, who had scored 15 goals in their first two matches, battled back into the game.
Despite being in fantastic form, Trafford started slowly and found themsleves behind in the fifth minute, Town midfielder Phil Mooney (pictured top) latching onto an excellent Lee McEvilly pass to slot home beyond Trafford goalkeeper Tom Reed.
Town went close ten minutes later, when McEvilly’s header across the box was met by the head of Dogan which was well saved by the Trafford keeper Reed. After these early scares, the visitors got into the game, and were unlucky not to equalise, when striker Will Ahern charged down a clearance from Town goalkeeper Adam Judge, only for the rebound gathered by the retreating Judge. Town continued to control the game, and went close soon after a mazy run and pass by Frazer Ablett was collected by Michael Reid,
who saw his powerful drive well saved by Reed. Just before half time, the visitors had their best chance to equaliser, a quick counter attack saw winger Kamahl Wight cross into the path of midfield colleague Paul Ashton, who inexplicably managed to shoot over from eight yards with only Judge to beat.
Town suffered a blow at half time, with the forced withdrawal of full back Colin Flood, who was replaced by Rob Hardwick, as Town re-jigged their playing style. This was a boost for the visitors, who could havce equalised soon afterwards, Wight shooting wide when through on goal. Town’s control of the game, was weakened further with the loss of their influential skipper.
Despite this set back, Reid went close shortly afterwards, seeing his effort deflected wide of the target. Trafford began to take control of the game.
Town’s main threat came from veteran striker McEvilly, (pictured left) who saw his shot well saved by Reed. Trafford continued to press forward, but a mixture of fine defending and a wasteful last pass, meant that Trafford had to wait until the 81st minute to equalise, defender Steve Mason stealing in unmarked at the far post to slam home a free kick from close range past a helpless Judge. With time running out, Town had a great chance to win the game, McEvilly finding a yard of space to fire a shot goalwards, only to see a fingertip save by Reed deny him, and both sides had to settle for a hard earned point.
Fraser Ablett takes on the Trafford defence
