Town lack killer instinct

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WARRINGTON Town are still looking for their first win of 2013 after a 1-1 draw at Lancaster City as they failed to kill off a game they dominated for long periods in an impressive first half.
Manager Shaun Reid included his two new signings, John Newby and Danny Mannix amongst the starting line, both having signed for Town in the week from Conference North outfit Colwyn Bay. After a slow start to the game the home side were first to go close, striker Tom Kilfin seeing his sixth minute cross miss everyone in the six yard box, before Town goalkeeper Andy Robertson was smartly off his line to deny Kilfin, after Mitter’s poor header. After these two let offs, Town began to impose themselves on the game, a mazy run by John Miles being denied by a challenge by Lancaster defender Ryan Elderton, only to see Newby lash the loose ball into the side netting from 12 yards. Just before the quarter hour, Town took the lead, another mazy run to the byline by Miles, saw him pull the ball back to Ciaran Kilheeney, and his shot across the goal, was tapped home off the upright by Fraser McLachlan, who scored his first goal for the club since his transfer from Nantwich.
Two minutes later, and Town almost extended their lead, tall centre back James McCarten meeting Kilheeney’s cross, only to head narrowly wide of the upright. Town were now in control of the game and soon went close to extending their lead in the 20th minute, Kilheeney was played through, reaching the pass before the advancing Lancaster goalkeeper Danny McDonald, only to see his weak toe poke cleared off the line by defender Danny Gregson. The introduction of debutant striker Aaron Taylor for The Dolly Blues brought them back into the game, indeed, it was his pass that freed winger Dave Swarbrick, who was only denied by a last gasp challenge by Phil Davies. The same player shpuld have equalised soon after, but decided to pull back Swarbrick’s cross, when well placed in the penalty area. The last chance of the half falling to City striker Darren Green, who capitalised on a bad mistake in the Town rearguard, to produce a fine curling effort, which was saved well by Robertson at full length
Within two minutes of the start of the second half, Lancaster went close to equalising once again, Green being played through, only to be denied by another save from Robertson. Lancaster, were now taking the game to Town, Swarbrick seeing his volley blocked by full back Phil Doran. Town could have extended their lead shortly afterwards, Miles shooting across the face of the Lancaster goal after another mazy run into the penalty area. Just before the hour, Lancaster levelled proceedings, Swarbrick reaching a throughball to produce a wickedly curling half volley that left Robertson with absolutely no chance.
Just after the hour, Town suffered a blow to their chances of winning the game, when centre back Adam Mitter was forced to leave the field injured, to be replaced by Michael Reid, which meant captain Peter Dogan dropping back to play in the back four. Town went close to re-establishing a lead, when Kilheeney headed over Miles’ excellent curling free kick.
With fifteen minutes of the game left, the key incident of the game took place, Gregson handling Newby’s cross on the edge of the penalty area, with the assistant referee ignoring the protestations of the Town players by stating the incident occured outside of the penalty area, the defender being lucky to only receive a yellow card on this occasion. After the introduction of Mike Heverin from the bench, Town came more into the game, Kilheeney seeing his diving header blocked by the Lancaster defence. With two minutes to go, Reid had to leave the field, to the same knee injury that he suffered earlier in the season, this time to be replaced by Phil Mooney. Two minutes after being introduced, Mooney had a glorious chance to equalise, a neat one two with Heverin, saw the midfielder freed on the edge of the box, and with only McDonald to beat, saw his shot go flying over the bar.


Town: Robertson, Davies, Doran, Dogan (c), Mitter (Reid, 62)(Mooney, 87), McCarten, John Newby (d), McLachlan, C Kilheeney, Danny Mannix (d), Miles (Heverin, 67), sub not used: A Kilheeney


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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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