Town lose out to early strike

WARRINGTON Town produced yet another frustrating home display losing out to a single goal despite dominating large periods of the game against Mossley last night (Tuesday).
But it was the visitors who started like a team possessed and after two or three broken attacks took an early lead that would prove to be the decisive strike.
Less than four minutes had passed when a ball was crossed over from the left, laid off to captain Mike Fish who hit a
first time shot low to the bottom right corner. Within in a minute it was almost two when Ritchie Mottram produced a fine save when Fish was through one on one. A minute later Fish was guilty of another missed opportunity when shooting wide. Then Town started to get a grip on the game and in truth dominated large periods.
Jimmy McCarthy (pictured top) proved to be a thorn in Mossley’s side all evening with his first chance coming after a dozen minutes.
A ball over the top beat the offside trap and the first challenge from a defender but slight hesitation allowed a second
challenge to block the resulting shot for a corner. McCarthy then saw his header palmed away by Andy Robertson before he cleared at the second attempt via the top of the crossbar.
Mossley had one further shot before Town dominated the remaining play of the half. Hadland had a shot blocked and McCarthy headed over. Smith also produced a fine save from Robertson who just held on ahead of the onrushing town front line.
Phil Howard (pictured right) produced arguably the save of the game when driving a free kick to the top corner, only to see it tipped around the post.
After the break the first chance fell to McCarthy who again turned to lose the last defender. He got in a shot despite
being pulled back but it was saved. There was a slight distraction at this point for those gathered behind the goal when a mouse took residence in the Mossley goal. Sadly he was not kept company by the ball.
Chris Gahgan found himself in space having been fed by Phil Howard but his touch allowed the ball to run away and
Robertson was able to gather. Anthony Daniels joined the action and a good passing move saw his shot tipped over by the Mossley keeper. The Mossley sub Danny Self was also put clear of the last defender but his shot was way wide of the mark.
With the game drawing to a conclusion Mossley had a goal disallowed for offside. Town continued to press in the closing stages with Chris Gahgan coming close with a placed shot that just ran beyond the right hand post. Town also had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball clearly struck the defenders raised arm in the box, but the referee decided nothing was doing. Try as they might Town could not find a deserved equaliser.

Town: Mottram, Holme (Dutton), Hardwick, Thornton, Kielthy, Smith (Daniels), Hadland, O’Donnell, McCarthy, Howard, Gahgan. Other sub Riley