WARRINGTON Town maintained their unbeaten start to the season but had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bamber Bridge as they continue to search for a first ever win at Irongate.
They will hope to put the record staright with a return trip on Saturday in the 2nd qualifying round of the F.A Cup but will need to improve on last night’s performance.
The opening stages saw both sides try to find a way through as long range shots were exchanged by Andy Potter for Town and Martin Crowder for Brig.
Missing the influence of skipper Mike Tomlinson at the heart of the team, Town were guilty of conceding possession far too easily and too often and following one such instance allowed ex Town player Kevin Towey the space to shoot but he pulled his shot wide. The breakthrough came on fifteen minutes. An angled cross from the left wing kept low and was driven into the roof of the net by Ashley Dunn from twelve yards. Town tried to get into the game and came close when Gareth Farrelly found space to shoot from close range but could not find the power needed to beat Ben Hinchcliffe. Warrington enjoyed their best spell of the half over the next few minutes yet it was Bamber Bridge’s Chris Thompson who missed two good chances, the first being deflected to Pritchard and the second headed wide.
After the break Town had a couple of early scares, the first of which saw Levi Kennedy make a fine block before Thompson fired wide across the goal. A long ball to Tony Evans was controlled beautifully but the following shot lacked power and was comfortably saved. On fifty two minutes Town drew level in quite bizarre circumstances.
A ball down the middle was a 50/50 contest between Bridge’s keeper and defender, plus in the in-running Gavin Salmon. As Gavin challenged for the ball it bounced high into the air, possibly via a deflection off one of the other two and over the Bridge rearguard to drop for a simple tap in. Tony Evans created a further shot when bringing the ball around to his left foot but from then on it was a case hang on in there for Town, as Brig threw waves of attacks but without success.
Chris Thompson was guilty of missing a host of chances, some put wide and a few that produced fine saves from Paul Pritchard. Headers went wide, a shot at the far post was also pushed past the upright and numerous shots went high and wide. All six substitutes came on midway through the half but the deadlock could not be broken.
Town occasionally threatened on the break with Evans and Gahgan both having half chances.
Pictures show goal scorer Gavin Salmon (top) Tony Evans and Chris Gahgan taking on the Bamber Bridge defence.
For more pictures CLICK HERE
Town: Pritchard, Duffy, Corrigan, Hardwick T, Kennedy, Millington (Hardwick R), Potter (Rutter), Farrelly, Evans, Salmon (Bathurst), Gahgan
Town maintain unbeaten run
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
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.
