WARRINGTON Town slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season as they went down 7-1 at AFC Fylde in the President’s Cup last night.
Town made only one change from the side that drew 1-1 in a league encounter with the same opponents only three days earlier, with top scorer Tony Evans (pictured right) returning from injury in place of on loan striker Alan Collins. 
It was the returning Evans who went close early on, seeing his drive from the edge of the box go narrowly over the Fylde crossbar. Town were more than a match for their hosts early on, a goalmouth scramble seeing Town go close once again. The home side began to get on top as the half wore on and tricky winger Joe Booth should have done better with his effort after seeing his shot go high over the bar after his mazy run. The home side took the lead in the 28th minute, when former Everton midfielder Jamie Milligan received a pass on the edge of the area sumptuously curling his effort beyond Paul Pritchard and into the net. The home side now took control of the game and just four minutes later they doubled their lead, Milligan picking up a misplaced pass before feeding winger Kevin Townson, who produced a rocket of a shot that gave Pritchard absolutely no chance. Pritchard was called into action again soon after, this time denying Leon Gierke with a smart low save at his near post. Fylde killed the game off shortly before half time, when Townson got on the end of some great build up play to deliciously chip Pritchard from the edge of the penalty area. On the stroke of half time, the home side made sure of the game, defender Ricky Mercer being given time and space to head home home from close range.
The first chance of the second half fell to Warrington midfielder Rob Hardwick, who saw his shot go agonisingly wide of the Fylde upright. Four minutes into the half and it was 5-0, striker Matt Walwyn following up to tap home unmarked at the far post. Just a minute later Town captain Mike Tomlinson was on hand to clear off the line, as the home side went in search of more goals, with Walwyn shooting across the face when well placed shortly afterwards. Town got on the scoresheet shortly before the hour mark, Anthony Hickey (pictured below) scored his first goal for the club, receiving the biggest cheer of the night from the travelling support, as his shot went in off the upright.
Once again Fylde were proving dangerous, with Town’s central defender Tom Hardwick clearing off the line soon after. Warrington now began to play their best football of the night, Hickey going close, but they could not break down the resolute Fylde defence for a second time. Instead it was the home side that increased their lead, midfielder Mike Nolan being on hand to tap in from close range. Once again, it was Pritchard who denied the home side soon after, producing a fine save.
Deep into injury time, Hickey went close to scoring once again, seeing his cushioned volley go just wide of the post. It was the home side who completed the scoring soon after, substitute Tom Cahill being given time and space to score from close range.
Town: Pritchard, Duffy, Corrigan, T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Wade (Millington, 88), Hickey, R Hardwick (Finley, 55), Evans (Bathurst, 73), Salmon, Gahgan,
subs not used: Potter, Jukes
