Beesley makes his mark for Wire

A WONDER goal from on loan striker Mark Beesley helped set Warrington

Town on their way to a 4-0 victory over Harrogate Railway Athletic at

the Abacus Solicitors’ Community Stadium.
The victory saw Warrington extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
Manager Shaun Reid made three changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Ramsbottom four days previously, Peter Dogan, Michael Douglas and John Miles (pictured right) replacing Adam Flynn, Ash Ruane and Kevin Townson in the starting line up.
Town started brightly, with a through ball finding both Allan Collins and Mark Beesley (pictured top) bearing down on goal, only for indecision allowing the visitors defence to recover.
Town almost opened the scoring on 11 minutes, Allan Collins getting onto the end of some great build up play, only to see his flick cleared off the line by Harrogate defender Simon Wood.
Town took the lead their play deserved in the 15th minute, Beesley picking up a ball on the edge of the area, and curling his effort beyond Harrogate keeper Sam Dobbs, and into the net. Less than 60 seconds later, and Town almost doubled their lead, Phil Mooney bearing down on goal, only to see Dobbs save his powerful effort.
Warrington were now going forward and shooting at will, Collins shooting over when well placed before Mooney shot too close to Dobbs, who made a fine save.
The visitors had a shock chance to equalise, winger Alex Hallam, forcing Town keeper Andy Robertson to save the effort. Town extended their lead, in the 25th minute, John Miles getting to the byline, only to see his low centre put into his own net by Harrogate captain Jonathan Maloney. Almost immediately, Harrogate had an opportunity to strike back, striker Nathan Cartman being played through, only to see his effort blocked by the retreating Michael Douglas. Town controlled the rest of the half, but a combintaion of the linesmans raising his flag and good defending meant Town went in two goals to the good.
The half time substitution of Michael Reid, to be replaced by Lee McEvilly, meant a change of formation for Town, but had no effect on the overall flow of the game, despite this, it was Harrogate who went close to opening the scoring early on, striker Patrick McGuire picking up on a poor clearance by Robertson, only to see his first time effort from the half way line, sail narrowly over the crossbar.
Town had a great chance to further their lead on 56 minutes, when Dogan played McEvilly through, only to see the former Northern Ireland international shoot over the bar with only Dobbs to beat.
Harrogate’s best chance of the half came and went just before the hour McGuire reaching a cross from winger Rob Youhill, only to shoot into the side netting when well placed. With time in the game running down, Town continued to create chances to extend their lead, with Mooney shooting wide before Dogan saw his audacious chipped effort well saved by Dobbs.
Two minutes later, and the same player opened his account for the club, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, and curled a low shot into the corner of the net, past a statuesque Dobbs. Still the visitors looked to get back into the game, with McGuire shooting over the bar from twelve yards, when he really should have tested Robertson. Town put an extra gloss on the performance in injury time, when substitute Ryan Gratton saw his cross from the byline finished from close range by McEvilly with a simple tap in.

Michael Reid takes on the Harrogate defence

Peter Dogan opens his scoring account

Ryan Gratton delivers the cross for McEvilly to tap in

Town: Robertson, Davies, Doran, Dogan (C), Douglas, McCarten,Miles (McEvilly, 46), Collins (Gratton, 89), Beesley (Ruane, 62), Reid, Mooney, sub not used: Anderson

Warrington are back in action at home on Tuesday evening when they entertain near neighbours Runcorn Town in the Cheshire Cup, kick off 7.45pm.
Pictures to follow.