Town share spoils with Chester

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WARRINGTON Town took on league newcomers and bookies favourites Chester FC, formed after the demise of ex football league outfit Chester City, in front of a 1,500 capacity crowd crammed into Cantilever Park, providing an unforgettable atmosphere for the visitors first ever game in a hard earned 1-1 draw.
Town showed only two changes from Saturday’s win at Ossett, with veteran former Republic of Ireland International Gareth Farrelly (pictured right) replacing Tom Rutter who dropped to the subs bench and Andy Potter replaced the injured Mike Duffy.
Both sides started openly, looking to put the other under pressure straight away. Louis Corrigan was the first to go close, seeing his free kick spilt by keeper Richard Whiteside. At the other end, Chester centre half Greg Stones went close with a header. The visitors took the lead in the 7th minute, when former Colwyn Bay striker Rob Hopley coolly slotted home past Pritchard in the Town goal, for Chester’s first ever league goal.
Town were once again indebted to former Wales youth international keeper Pritchard, who produced a fine save to keep the game at 1-0. The visitors were in their best spell of the game and soon went close again, but were denied by a combination of good defending and excellent goalkeeping by Pritchard. Slowly but surely Town started to come into the game, captain Mike Tomlinson seeing his header cleared of the line and Gavin Salmon was creating all kinds of problems, only failing to find the last pass after a long jinking run. Town were level in the 22nd minute, when Salmon (pictured left) capitalised on hesitancy in the visitors defence to head home beyond Whiteside from inside the six yard box. In a game that was now end to end, Tony Evans saw his cross blocked behind for a corner and Chester winger Ian Howard shot narrowly wide after running from inside his own half. Further chances to the visitors Mark Peers, who saw his angled drive fly across the face of the sticks, and Town’s Anthony Hickey whose long run and cross earned Town a corner. The final chance fell to Evans, who saw his angled shot well saved by Whiteside.
The second half began in similar manner to how the first half ended, with the game being very open, but good defending by both sides kept chances to a premium initially.
On the hour mark, the visitors Michel Wilde should have scored, instead he blasted over the bar with only Pritchard to beat. The visitors were creating the better of the chances and Pritchard produced another excellent save to deny Peers soon after.
Once again Pritchard was Town’s saviour as he produced a fine reflex save to deny Wilde whose overhead kick from ten yards looked destined for the net. The introduction of many substitutes saw each side add impetus to their attack, and both sides looking for a winning goal. Town went closest to finding a winning goal when Salmon saw
his scuffed effort beat Whiteside but was cleared off the line by the Chester defence. Deep into injury time, Chester substitute Chris Williams blasted wide of the target as both sides had to settle for a hard earned point.

Warrington Town’s man-of-the-match Paul Pritchard saves again.

Town: Pritchard, Potter, Ness, T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Rowntree, Hickey, Farrelly, Evans, Salmon, Corrigan, subs not used: R Hardwick, Anderson.
Atten: 1,498 (Club league record).

Members of the barmy army in full voice.
For more pictures from the historic clash CLICK HERE


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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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