Jerome fires the Yellows in to the play-off places

RUBEN Jerome was the match winner yet again as Warrington Town’s play-off charge gained more momentum with a 1-0 win over Mickleover Sports.

Jerome tapped in at the far post midway through the second half from Dylan Vassallo’s ball across to give the Yellows a fourth win in five.

The result lifts Paul Carden’s men up to the play-off places.

Prior to the game, captain James McCarten was presented with an award to recognise his 200th appearance for the club, and he and partner Evan Gumbs were solid throughout.

There wasn’t much to choose between the two sides in the first half, the Yellows restricted to a couple of efforts from the edge of the box that were both dragged wide by Scott Harries and Danny Ventre.

The goalless first half prompted Carden to make an attacking change at half time, introducing Vassallo for Adam Carden, with Harries dropping to right back.

Vassallo was a constant menace to the Mickleover defence in the second half, and he almost created a goal barely four minutes from the restart, feeding through Michael Monaghan who had a shot saved.

From the corner, Monaghan got a run on a defender and fired a shot over the bar.

Vassallo again caused problems on 55 minutes, taking on a clever flick by Connor McCarthy to cross low across the box, and it was diverted just over the bar by a defender.

Again from the corner the Yellows went close, this time Vassallo almost catching the ‘keeper unawares at the near post.

Mickleover had offered little going forward, but they did send a little reminder to the hosts on the hour mark, Tony McMillan getting down well to save, but it proved to be a blip in the Yellows dominance.

Minutes later, the break through finally came. Left-back Josh Askew took the ball forward, found Harries, and his clever ball freed Vassallo in the box and his low cross was tapped in at the back post by Jerome.

Vassallo could have had the goal his efforts deserved six minutes from time, though he fired over from a decent position.

Jerome, who has scored decisive goals in the wins against Stourbridge, Coalville, Ilkeston and now this one, could have had a second when he tried to round the ‘keeper in injury time, but the ‘keeper just did enough to deny the chance.

The win lifts the Yellows to fifth place, with nine games to play. Their next game is on Saturday at home to Frickley.

Warrington Town: McMillan, Carden (Vassallo), Askew, Williams, McCarten, Gumbs, Monaghan, Ventre (Smart), McCarthy (Hattersley), Jerome, Harries. Subs: Codling, Shaw.

Mickleover Sports: Draper, Grocott, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Ricketts, Blake, Muskwe, George. Unused subs: Sloane, Williams, Morrison, Baskerville, Green.