LIAM Dawson’s first half goal was enough to earn Warrington Town their first win of the season against Ramsbottom United.
Dawson pounced on a short back pass by namesake Andy Dawson to coolly slot over onrushing goalkeeping Grant Shenton to score what proved to be the only goal of the game on 38 minutes.
The goal came against the run of play, as the visitors had the better of much of the first half.
Town goalkeeper Craig Dootson saved smartly from Mark Drew’s low free kick, and was also at full stretch to deny Dawson with a header.
The move by Warrington boss Shaun Reid to switch left midfielder Dawson with striker Ciaran Kilheeney midway through the first half proved a shrewd one when Dawson bagged his goal, and it settled the hosts.
Marshalled superbly by centre-back Craig Robinson, Town managed to get control of the game and were rarely threatened in the second half.
Peter Dogan came closest to doubling Warrington’s lead, his fine volley hitting the outside of the post after good build up play by Dawson.
As Ramsbottom pressed for an equaliser, both Kilheeney and Ben Wharton had chances to finish the game off, but Town were forced to hold on to their slender advantage, which they did to the delight of the home fans.
Next up for Town is a trip to Flixton to face Northwich Victoria on Bank Holiday Monday.
Warrington: Dootson, Davies, Kennedy, Dogan, McCarten, Robinson, Gahgan, Mannix, Wharton, Kilheeney, Dawson. Subs: Millington (for Dogan), Mooney, Newby (for Gahgan), West, Greenford.
Ramsbottom: Shenton, Warrender, Pilkington, Drew, Dawson, Hulme, Smalley, Stopforth, Gaskell, Robinson, Dean. Subs: Brooks (for Gaskell), Spencer (for Drew), Toth, Warburton (for Pilkington), Bradbury.
Attendance: 192
