Town taste first league defeat

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WARRINGTON Town surrendered their unbeaten league record on the unusually sloping Clitheroe pitch to a side managed by former Town manager Paul Moore, who were also unbeaten in the league.
Town started brightly, matching their hosts, who started the day higher in the league table, the first chance of the game came in the 14th minute, when Clitheroe midfielder Daley Woods saw his shot from almost 30 yards rattle off the crossbar and bounced down and away to safety, before, at the other hand, John Miles shot wide after good play by debutant Luke Holden. Town once again went close soon afterwards, captain Peter Dogan saw his cross cum shot well saved by Clitheroe keeper Hakan Burton. Just after the half hour, the home side had a great chance to go ahead, striker Alex Johnson being denied by Town keeper Adam Judge, only to see his shot from the rebound cleared off the line by Lee McEvilly. Just a minute later, Clitheroe striker Glodi Kuba Kuba failed to capitalise on a mistakle by Judge, and allowed the keeper to re-gather his poor clearance.
Shortly before half time, Clitheroe went close to scoring once again, Woods seeing his header at the far post headed off the line by defender Phil Davies. All the pressure from the home side was bound to lead to a goal, and it did three minutes before half time, Judge parrying winger Simon Nangle’s cross and striker Johnson was on hand to slam home from close range. There was still time for Woods to go close once again before half time, shooting wide when well placed.
Two minutes into the second half, and Clitheroe were awarded a penalty, for a challenge by Zac Aley that appeared to be outside of the penalty area, full back Lee Pugh stepping up to double the lead for the home side, sending Judge the wrong way from the spot.
Just a minute later, Town were reduced to 10 men, Holden shown a second yellow card for simulation in the penalty area after a poor challenge by Clitheroe defender Rob Boden, despite the assistant referee, who was close to the incident, appearing to flag for a penalty award to Town. With Town down to 10 men, manager Shaun Reid introduced pacy front man Ashley Ruane and three minutes later, he went close to bringing Town into the game, his drive forcing a fine low save from Burton, who slipped in the process of making the save.
With only 10 men on the field, Town came more into the game, but it was Clitheroe winger who went close to scoring soon after, Nangle shooting narrowly over from distance before midfielder Will James shot wide from distance.
With just less than a quarter of an hour left, Clitheroe went close once again, Judge saving well from Johnson, only for James to see his shot cleared off the line by Davies once again. Just a minute later Clitheroe substitute Connor Smith saw his angled shot rebound back into play when through on Judge. Town went close soon afterwards, substitute midfielder Phil Mooney shooting wide when well placed.
The home sides final chance fell once again to Woods, who saw his header acrobatically saved by Judge. There was still time for substitute Liam Shipton to go close, a fine one two with Mooney, only to see his shot deflected behind by a fine last gasp challenge by Boden.
Things don’t get any easier for Town who now travel to table topping Mossley next Saturday, looking to put a halt to a run of three defeats on the bounce.

Town: Judge, Davies, Aley, Doran (c), Flynn, Douglas, Reid (Shipton, 35), Luke Holden (d), Townson, McEvilly (Mooney, 64), Miles (Ruane, 56), subs not used: McCarten, Ablett


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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.

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