More cup heroics as Town reach quarter finals

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WARRINGTON Town defeated higher league opposition for the sixth time this season to reach the quarter-finals of the Doodson Sport Cup.
Rushall Olympic were added to a list that includes Exeter City, North Ferriby United, Colwyn Bay, Trafford and Workington Town on a snowy Tuesday night in the Midlands.
Two first half own goals and a wonder strike from midfielder Nathan Burke (Pictured top and right) gave Shaun Reid’s men a 3-0 win after a virtually flawless performance away from home.
Town handed a first start to striker Dean Astbury up front, alongside Ben Wharton and Stephen Tames, and the trio caused the Northern Premier League side’s defence problems throughout the first half.
Astbury’s direct running and eagerness to carve out shooting opportunities had the hosts on the back foot from the early stages. Good work by Tames built the platform and when a cross from the right was only half cleared, Astbury struck a low left-footed shot in to the side netting as an early warning for Rushall.
The home side had threats on either the flank, and the pace of Connor Deards got him in behind and only a timely intervention by right back Lewis Turner denied a goalscoring opportunity.
On 18 minutes, Town took the lead. Louis Corrigan put in a good delivery from a left wing free kick, and with James McCarten causing bother in the box, the ball bounced past the goalkeeper off an unfortunate defender.
Town breathed a sigh of relief five minutes later when Tom Hardwick was shown just a yellow card having hauled down a flying Deards down the middle, with only the presence of a covering Turner saving him from a likely straight red.
From the resulting free kick, Aris Christophorou forced a save from back-up goalkeeper Robbie Johnson, tipping wide of his left hand post.
Hard work from Wharton won the ball back for Town deep in Rushall territory, giving Astbury space to run at the defence and as he got to the byline, his low driven cross was diverted past his own goalkeeper by Jack Duggan for a second own goal of the game and to double Town’s lead.
Astbury created two more chances before the break, but couldn’t get himself on the scoresheet. The first he drove at the defence down the left only to fire just over the bar, and then on the other side, had a reverse shot tipped wide.
The striker also had a shout for a penalty on the stroke of half time, weaving his way through two tacklers and then appearing to be dragged back just as he was about to shoot.
Although Rushall started the second half much brighter, the only real concerns for Town was whether the ever increasing snow would cause any trouble on the journey back up the M6.
Johnson made a smart stop from substitute Stan Mugisha before Burke made the game safe with a 30-yard piledriver on 55 minutes.
As Town closed the game out, Tames had two golden opportunities to add a fourth. First, he sprung the offside trap to collect Louis Corrigan’s through ball, only to push his shot wide, and then he missed an open goal after substitute Ben Collins had laid it on a plate for him.
Warrington are joined by Lancaster City, Leek Town, Farsley, Spalding United and Ilkeston in the last eight, with two ties still to be played.

Rushall: Belford, Christophorou, Williams, Rooney, Duggan, Brown, Deards (Stephens), Palmer, Williams, Craner (Mugisha), Webb. Unused subs: Hawker, Tolley, Fermedo.
Warrington: Johnson, Turner, Doughty, Beattie, McCarten, Hardwick, Corrigan, Burke (Ruane), Wharton (Gahgan), Astbury (Collins), Tames.


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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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