VIDEO: WARRINGTON Town sent a message out to title rivals Northwich Victoria ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with a 7-0 thrashing of Harrogate Railway.
While Northwich could only manage a point at home against the same opponents at the weekend, Warrington notched up a 10th successive league victory in emphatic fashion.
Gerard Kinsella’s wonderful half volley, his second of the night, was the pick of the goals as Town dominated from start to finish.
They were home and dry inside the first 25 minutes.
From the kick-off, Joe Holt found space on the right hand side and found the excellent Kinsella inside, with his lay off to Danny Ventre resulting in a corner following a deflection.
Town didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock, Kinsella lashing home left footed from inside the box on three minutes after both Holt and Ben Deegan had had efforts cleared off the line.
It was a relentless start from the visitors, and they doubled their lead on 11 minutes. Breaking forward with pace, Scott Metcalfe ran at the defence and then smashed a left foot drive low across the ‘keeper in to the bottom far corner.
It was three on 24 minutes, Holt finding more space on the right hand side and squeezing a shot in at the near post that found its way to the back of the net via the woodwork.
Town could have had more by half time, goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood keeping out Kinsella after more good work by Holt, and then holding on to a curling free-kick from James McCarten.
Harrogate, currently second from bottom and facing a fight to avoid relegation, came out positively in the opening minutes of the second half, only to be pegged back further three minutes in.
The tireless Holt won a free kick through sheer determination down the right hand side, and after Metcalfe hit the far post with a vicious effort direct from it, Deegan bundled the ball home from close range.
It was nearly five a few minutes later when captain Ciaran Kilheeney found left back Michael Lea inside the box, his drilled cross evading everyone before going out at the back post.
The fifth came on 56 minutes and what a strike it was. Town were ploughing forward at will, and after a cross was only half cleared, Kinsella showed terrific technique to fire a right foot half volley in to the roof of the net to the delight of the travelling supporters behind the goal.
Even a change in personnel failed to slow Town down, substitute Chris Gahgan almost getting in on the act with his very first touch, shooting just wide with his right foot.
It was a penalty that saw the sixth goal, Metcalfe fouled inside the box and another substitute, Steven Gillespie, stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second successful spotkick in as many matches.
And just as it seemed that the league’s top goalscorer would inexplicably fail to score in such a high-scoring victory, Kilheeney rose highest for Gahgan’s cross and steered a fine header past the goalkeeper for 7-0.
It could have been more, with both Kinsella and Kilheeney having further chances, but as it was Town settled for seven.
The win puts them 13 points clear of Northwich, who have four games in hand and travel to third placed Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night.
Gerard Kinsella opens the scoring and later scored a wonder goal – PICTURES BARRIE SCHOLES
Kinsella celebrates PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
Joe Holt celebrates with Kilheeney and Metcalfe PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
Ben Deegan makes it four PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
Gillespie adds the penalty PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
Kilheeney jumps for joy PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
The team celebrate their win PICTURE BARRIE SCHOLES
Harrogate Railway: Hallwood, Mellor, Lovegreen, Low, Coates, Thirkell, Devine (Stockdill), Clamp, Youhill, Ovington (Sharrocks), Curtis (Parkes). Unused subs: Barrett, Owen.
Warrington Town: Wills, Brown, Lea (Dean), Ventre, McCarten, O’Donnell, Holt (Gahgan), Kinsella, Kilheeney, Deegan (Gillespie), Metcalfe. Unused subs: Robinson, Beattie.
