Missed chances cost Town

WARRINGTON Town crashed out of the FA Cup, after a 3-1 defeat at league rivals Radcliffe Borough in the 2nd qualifying round replay.
With £4.5k prize money at stake and the chance of a trip to Conference North Workington in the third qualifying round and another bumper pay day, defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as Warrington were by far the better footballing team, but failed to convert numerous chances.
The game, which had gone to a replay, after the initial game finished 1-1, once again started slowly, with Richie Mottram, being the first keeper called into action to deny a long range effort from midfielder Stephen Hill.
Town’s striker Jimmy McCarthy went close twice shortly afterwards, first seeing his curling go narrowly wide, then after robbing the defence of the ball seeing his shot go narrowly over the crossbar.
Recent signing Tony Evans went close with a header soon after as Town began to dominate the game, however, Mottram was called into action shortly before half time, to deny striker Steve Howson. Karl Connelly went close just on half time, seeing his angled shot go narrowly across the face of the goal.
Town came out and once again dominated the game, full back Darren Kinsey heading straight at Joe Brobbin in the Radcliffe goal, before Evans did the exact same thing soon after. Town went close to scoring soon after when Connelly saw his cross shot kicked off the line by centre half Shaun Connor. Town once again tested Brobbin soon after when Kinsey’s forceful shot forced a parry, before recovering to deny McCarthy.
Against the run of play, Radcliffe Borough found the back of the net when striker Jody Banim found the corner of the net with an angled drive from the edge of the box. Within a minute, Town almost equalised, when Evans saw his shot deflected onto the bar and behind for a corner. The game had really opened up by this point, and Mottram was soon in action to deny Banim. Town should have had an equaliser, after Evans put his shot over the bar after good work by strike partner McCarthy. Top scorer Chris Gahgan was next to test Brobbin, seeing his low shot well saved. Town were reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute when captain Mike Tomlinson was dismissed for a second yellow card, after which the referee pointed to the spot, despite the foul being, apparently, two yards outside the box. Eddie Stanford scored the resulting penalty. Town now went in search of two goals and pulled one back in injury time, when Tony Evans was on hand to control a Mick O’Donnell shot, and placed his shot on the spin past Brobbin. Town were caught on the break shortly afterwards, when Howson was on hand to send Radcliffe through to the next round away at Workington in the third qualifying round.
After the game a bitterly disappointed manager Joey Dunn said: “We were clearly the better team but failed to take our chances.
“The lads are gutted but we will pick ourselves up for Saturday’s important F.A Trophy game against Sheffield.”
Pictures show Jimmy McCarthy making some spectacular attempts on goal and Darren Kinsey heading straight into the arms of the keeper.

Centre Forward Tony Evans shoots at goal

Evans eventually scores for Warrington but it is too little too late.

Town: Mottram, Grogan, Kinsey (Roberts, 90), Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Connelly (McLennan, 79) Connelly, Evans, McCarthy, Gahgan, subs not used: Dutton, Dacey