WARRINGTON Town extended their unbeaten start to the season in a five goal thriller as they beat one of the title favourites curzon Ashton 3-2 at the Abacus Solicitors’ Community Stadium.
An excellent home debut performance from John Miles (pictured above scoring on his home debut) helped the Wire to their second victory in four days and extended their unbeaten run to five games.
The former Macclesfield and MK Dons striker was signed last week and his clever play yielded his first goal in front a vocal crowd.
After a relatively quiet opening half hour, the game burst into life after 33 minutes. In-form winger, Liam Shipton evaded three challenges to find a cross, only for Phil Mooney to nod over.Miles was at the heart of everything good from the home side and there was much of it – his mazy run and clever ball across the box found the waiting Mooney, who dragged his effort wide.
But it was first blood to visitors Curzon Ashton; Kristian Dennis wormed his way into some space within a crowded penalty area to stab beyond Adam Judge to put the Reds in front. Curzon’s lead lasted just over a minute before Miles deceived the away defence to slide the ball home from a tight angle. Warrington deservedly level.
Just five minutes later, it got better for Shaun Reid’s men. Combative Lee McEvilly was felled in the area and the referee had no choice but to award a spot kick. Impressive McEvilly picked himself up to slot the penalty home. Reid may have been happy to head into the interval with a goal advantage but there was still time for Shipton (pictured) to add a third for the Yellows; with what what appeared to be a mishit cross alluding Curzon keeper Joshua Ollerenshaw to nestle into the net via the post.
The second half began the way the first half ended – Warrington had an effort headed off the line but a severe knee injury to Warrington full back Colin Flood brought a somewhat extensive stoppage to proceedings and for the second home game in succession, an ambulance was called.
The loss of Flood seemed to unsettle the Wire defence as Tony Evans struck to half the Curzon arrears with little under ten minutes remaining and this was a signal of things to come. The Curzon Ashton onslaught began; Warrington relying on the pace of Shipton on counter attacks.
Warrington’s fans vocal support was a persistent as McEvilly’s all action performance – his aerial strength coming in useful as Warrington withstood a barrage of attacks to hold on to their goal advantage. The loudest cheer of the night was by far, the roar that cascaded from the stands as the referee blew the final whistle, confirming that Warrington had held on for a tight but deserved 3-2 victory.
Liam Shipton is congratulated by manager Shaun Reid
Town: Judge, Davis, Flood (Ruane, 69), Dogan (c), Flynn, McCarten, Shipton,
Mooney, McEvilly, Miles, Reid, subs not used: Driscoll, Anderson, Glass,
Wells
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