WARRINGTON Town pushed unbeaten title favourites Skelmersdale United all
the way as they were edged out 1-0 at the Abacus Solicitors’ Community
Stadium.
Manager Shaun Reid handing a debut to recent signings, midfielder Fraser
McLauchlan and a third debut for the club to Mike Heverin, (pictured right) who has returned to
the club he last graced nearly eight years ago, having recently returned to the area.
It was the visitors who started a poor first half the better, winger Adam
Morning forcing Town keeper Andy Robertson into a fine save early on, before
Town created their first chance, Ciaran Kilheeney being played through, only to
be denied by an excellent last gasp challenge by Skelmersdale midfielder Aaron
Turner.
In a half of few chances, it was shortly before before the half hour
before either side went close again, Ash Ruane, blasting over after a fine run
into the Skelmersdale penalty area. Just after the half hour, the visitors
should have hit the front, striker Mark Jackson being released wide out, before
playing a pin point cross for the on rushing Turner, who saw his shot somehow
saved by Robertson, at close range.
Just before the end of the first half,
Town’s hopes of victory took a blow, when lively winger Ruane was forced to
leave the field injured, to be replaced by John Miles. On the stroke of half time, it was Morning who
went close for Skelmersdale, pulling his shot wide of the upright.
After such
a drab first half affair, the second half exploded into life within sixty
seconds, when former Town full back Louis Corrigan saw his inswinging corner
smack back into play off the crossbar, before Turner forced Robertson to save
his powerful drive soon after. As the half wore on, the visitors began to take
control of proceedings, forcing Town onto the back foot. Midfielder
Kenny Strickland was next to go close for Skelmersdale, shooting over when well
placed in the penalty area.
Midfielder Phil Mooney, who had only recently joined
the action for Town, saw his shot go too close to Skelmersdale keeper Sam
Ashton. With just over 20 minutes of the game left, Skelmersdale should have
taken the lead, Jackson meeting Morning’s cross, only to slice his close range
effort narrowly wide of the upright, when he really should have scored.
Substitute Matty Hughes was next to go close for Skelmersdale, heading Jackson’s
cross wide when well placed. With just over a quarter of an hour to go,
Skelmersdale made their pressure pay, as they finally found a way past
Robertson, a ball into the box to Hughes was not cleared properly by the Town
rearguard and found its way to the unmarked Jackson, who blasted home an angled
drive beyond Robertson from 15 yards. After going ahead, the promotion
favourites continued to dominate the game, Strickland once again shooting over
when well placed. With eight minutes to go, Skelmersdale should have gone
further ahead, Jackson sliding in to meet winger Michael Phenix’s cross at close
range, only to see the ball hit the inside of the upright and rebound to safety
with Robertson grasping the loose ball.
With five minutes to go, Town had a
great chance to equalise, but full back Phil Doran saw his long range free kick
go straight at Ashton, who gratefully clutched the ball. With time running down,
Town went close to a last gasp equaliser, a high ball into the box was parried
by Ashton only for the formerly prolific Heverin to blast the bouncing ball high
over the bar from close range, with only Ashton to beat
New signings Fraser McLachlan and Mike Heverin leave Town old boy Tom Hardwick floored.
Town: Robertson,
Davies, Doran, Dogan (c), Mitter, McCarten, McCarthy (Mooney, 55), Fraser
McLachlan (d) (Townson, 78), C Kilheeney, Mike Heverin (d), Ruane (Miles, 40),
subs not used: West, A Kilheeney
