Town kick start season in style

WARRINGTON Town kick started their season in style with an impressive 1-3 victory at Ossett Albion.
Town handed out a number of competitive debuts, but were missing last season’s top scorer Chris Gahgan, who failed a pre match fitness test.
Both sides started brightly, Ossett striker Shane Kelsey shot narrowly wide after barely two minutes. Town were handed a penalty after 10 minutes, when winger Tom Rutter was felled in the box, but striker Gavin Salmon stepped up, only to see his penalty smack off the post and away to safety.
Town’s former Welsh youth international keeper Paul Pritchard was called into action for the first time soon after to deny midfielder Nathan James from distance.
Warrington could have gone ahead on the quarter hour when striker Tony Evans blocked Ossett keeper Luke Herriott’s clearance, only to see his shot blocked on the line.
The home side had their best spell of the game shortly afterwards, firstly forcing Pritchard into a save, then taking the lead, when Kelsey scrambled home from three yards.
The home sides lead lasted a mere five minutes before Town finally found the goal their play deserved, Tony Evans being put through before slotting home beyond
Luke Herriott and into the bottom corner. Town continued to control the game, with Louis Corrigan going close soon after. Town continued to have the better of the game and found a second goal, seven minutes before half time, Evans capitalising on a mistake in the home defence to roll the ball across the box for Salmon to tap home from two yards. The last good chance of the first half saw Ossett striker Dale Kelly blast his shot over the bar when well placed.
Warrington started the second half in complete charge of the game, Evans going close within 90 seconds of the restart, seeing his shot deflected wide for a corner, at the other end, Town were indebted to debutant Chris Rowntree shortly afterwards for a crucial interception in his own box, with Kelsey ready to pounce. Once more Evans saw his shot deflected wide shortly afterwards. Despite being in control of the game, and having the best of the play, the home side defended well and denied Town another goal.
The home sides rare chances were dealt with well by Pritchard, who was in fine form and denied Kelly once again soon after. Warrington found the third goal their play deserved with only six minutes remaining, Tony Evans seeing his shot parried away by Herriott, straight into the path of the on rushing Salmon who bundled the ball into the net.
The home side pressed forward looking for goals to get back into the game and were twice denied by Pritchard, one of which was a fine diving save through a packed penalty area.
Town: Paul Pritchard (D), Duffy, (Potter, 70), Dave Ness (D), T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Chris Rowntree (D), Anthony Hickey (D), Corrigan, Evans, (Bathurst, 85), Salmon, Rutter, (Anderson, 79) subs not used: R Hardwick, Millington.

Pictures show (from the top) Gavin Salmon striking the post with his penalty, goal scorer Tony Evans and Salmon who made amends for his penalty miss with two goals.
For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE