DESPITE a spirited performance Warrington Town went down 3-1 at promotion chasing Newcastle Blue Star.
Town were missing two key defenders, but looking to get back to their good recent form after the midweek defeat at Rossendale.
Warrington started brightly in very windy conditions, looking to get at their hosts, but were rocked in the 11th minute, when free scoring sex Newcastle United and Reading striker Paul Brayson was given time and space to beat a statuesque Richie Mottram from 25 yards. Town were still playing the better football and having most of the game, with chances falling to Mike Grogan and Jimmy McCarthy. Blue Star were playing on the counter attack with striker David Southern heading a good chance over the bar. Town’s rearguard was depleted further when central defender Paul Bowes fell badly under a challenge and had to be replaced. Within a minute, Town had won themselves a penalty, when striker Tom Lamb, was felled by central defender Michael Tait, and Chris Gahgan stepped up and dispatched his second spot kick in four days. Shortly before half time, the home side could have gone ahead, but defender Tom Hardwick was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Town once again started the second half well, looking to go ahead in the game, but Mottram was the first keeper in action, making an excellent diving save to dany Brayson. Blue Star went ahead against the run of play, when substitute Jonathon Webb was on hand to beat Mottram at the third attempt. Town went close to equalising soon after when Lamb’s curling effort was saved by home keeper Jack Norton, for a corner. Town went further behind in 78 minutes when substitute Alex Benjamin got the final touch to a cross cum shot. With nine minutes to go, Blue Star were down to 10 men, when Tait received a second yellow card for kicking the ball at a prostrate McCarthy after a challenge. Town really pushed forward looking for goals, and Rob Dutton was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line by Webb.
Town: Mottram, Dutton, Hardwick, Bowes (Smith, 38), Thornton, Grogan, Hadland, O’Donnell, Lamb (Chetcuti, 77), McCarthy, Gahgan, sub not used: Daniels
Pictures show (top) Grgan heading the ball, Gaghan balancing the ball and Lamb making a nuisance of himself in the box.
Town have a chance to bounce back from two away defeats on Monday evening when they entertain FA Cup giant killers Curson Ashton, who are also very much in the play off hunt and will be keen to avenge their shock 3-1 home defeat by Town earlier in the season. The game takes place at Cantilever Park, kick off 7.45pm.
