WARRINGTON Town were pushed all the way by Vodkat league division two
outfit Runcorn Town before winning a penalty shoot out to progress to
the third round of the Cheshire Senior Cup last night.
A last gasp own goal equaliser two minutes from time spared Warrington’s blushes as the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Pavilions.
Warrington handed a debut to former Macclesfield Town defender Adam Jukes, who replaced Mike Duffy at right back, in the only change from the team that played against Clitheroe on Saturday.
The hosts meanwhile played four ex Town players in their starting line up, which gave an extra spice to this competitive local derby encounter. Both sides began slowly on a very heavy surface, which was not conducive to free flowing football. The first half began slowly, with Town in control of the game, but not being able to create many chances against the hosts resolute defending.
Youngster Sam Finley saw his effort saved by Runcorn keeper Dave Parkinson early on, before Tony Evans saw his powerful long range drive go narrowly over the bar. Town had a great chance to go ahead soon after, Gavin Salmon seeing his header well saved by Parkinson, before Louis Corrigan saw his effort palmed behind by Parkinson.
Town suffered a set back midway through the half, when top scorer Tony Evans was forced to leave the field injured, to be replaced by youngster Connor Anderson. Runcorn’s first chance fell to former Town winger Dave Roberts who saw his shot easily saved by Paul Pritchard, with striker Jason Carey also testing out Pritchard shortly afterwards.
The second half began as the first half had finished, with Town in general control of the game, but struggling to create many clear cut chances, an early goalmouth scramble saw Town denied, before Anderson headed into the side netting. Former Town midfielder Marvin Molyneaux went close soon afterwards fizzing his free kick wide of Pritchard’s upright. The introduction of rangy substitute Warren Bellew gave the hosts a fresh impetus and he should have scored soon after, but screwed his shot wide when well placed. Chris Gahgan saw his effort saved by Parkinson soon afterwards. The home side had a shout for a penalty turned down soon afterwards, when Carey went down in the box, but the referee waved away the protests. With the game sliding towards extra time, the game suddenly burst into life in the last ten minutes, when firstly, Anderson saw former Town midfielder Chris Brown clear his effort off the line, before the home side took the lead, defender Danny Dalton heading home, the ball going through the hand of Pritchard on its way in. Town looked to be sliding to an ignominious defeat when they found an equaliser, Molyneaux slamming Duffy’s driven cross into his own net from close range, and sending the game into extra time.
Extra time took its toll on the players, with neither side really creating much, Carey shooting wide for the visitors before Salmon was denied by an excellent last gasp challenge when through on goal. The game sure enough drifted into a penalty shoot out, which unlike Skelmersdale previously, Town won with comparative ease, Pritchard saving the home sides first two penalties, leaving Town centre half Tom Hardwick to smash his penalty into the roof of the net to hand the Town victory after earlier successful strikes by Duffy, Corrigan and Salmon.
Pictures show (from top) Chris Gahgan getting a shot in, Tony Evans protecting the ball and Gavin Salmon going for goal. (Pictures John Hopkins)
Town: Pritchard, Adam Jukes (d), Corrigan, T Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Wade, Hickey (Duffy, 72), Finley, Evans (Anderson, 26), Salmon, Gahgan, sub not used Bathurst
