Town lose out in five goal thriller

DESPITE their lowly league position Warrington Town travelled to high flying Clitheroe in high spirits after their cup heroics at the weekend and almost came home with the points losing out 3-2 in a five goal thriller.
Town travelled without ever present goalkeeper Ritchie Mottram, who picked up a hand injury at Matlock, meaning a debut being handed to youngster Matthew Harrison, signed from Knutsford earlier.
Town started brightly and took an early lead through midfielder Fran Smith, who chipped Martin Fearon in the Clitheroe goal, from 25 yards. Clitheroe came straight back with defender Barry Shuttleworth going close. The home side equalised in the 11th minute, when former Warrington Town defender Ian Flannery was on hand to score at the third attempt after the ball struck the bar and Harrison parried an effort. Harrison was called into action shortly afterwards to deny striker Carl Lomax.
Town, deservedly, regained the lead, when Kevin Towey was on hand to blast home after Carl Rendell’s initial shot was spilled by Fearon. A minute later Town should have gone further ahead, when Rendell placed his header narrowly wide from Scott Williams cross. Harrison, was once again called into action soon after and Towey was once again denied by Fearon. Harrison was called on to make the final important save of the half from striker Anthony Johnson.
The loss of influential central defender Tom Spearitt and changes by the home side at half time, seemed to change the game and it was the home side who came out brightly, forcing Harrison into another early save. Striker Lomax missed two good opportunities to equalise for the home side. Town could have gone further ahead in the 56th minute when Rendell poked the ball narrowly wide from a fantastic Towey cross. Three minutes later, the home side were level, when substitute Craig Sargeson placed an angled drive beyond Harrison. The home side were now hunting a winner, and it arrived somewhat controversially in the 85th minute, when following a corner, Flannery bundled home, the goal being given despite an apparent foul on Harrison.
The result left Town third bottom in the Unibond Division North while second placed Clitheroe are just two points off the top with four games in hand!
It doesn’t get any easier for Warrington with league leaders Ossett Albion visiting Cantilever Park on Saturday kick off 3pm when Town will have to be at their best if they want to start moving up the table.

Town: Matthew Harrison (d), Farrell, Fitzsimmons, Thomas, Spearitt, (Kielty, 46), Daniels, Towey, (Webb, 62), Smith, (Hunter, 56), Rendell, Hadland, Williams, Subs not used, Tickle, Holme

UniBond First Division North

2008/2009

Colwyn Bay deducted 3pts due to playing an ineligible player.