WARRINGTON Town won through to the FA Cup third qualifying round for the first time in seven years by defeating South Liverpool 3-0.
The Yellows had to stay patient to break down a side two divisions below them, eventually scoring three times in six second half minutes to progress.
They had a hatful of chances but were frustrated by plucky South Liverpool goalkeeper Dominic Garner and hard-working centre halves Jack Bentley and Harvey Billington.
Warrington won five corners inside the first 15 minutes that all came to nothing, before a potshot by Sam Mullally at the other end was beaten away by Mateusz Hewelt.
Josh Vela hooked a first time shot over the bar off a Reece Daly cutback, before Bentley twice intercepted Jack Goodwin crosses in to the box.
The best chance fell to Callum Edwards just after the half hour mark, springing the offside trap to go through one-on-one with Garner, only to shoot straight at the ‘keeper.
South Liverpool survived until half-time goalless, and nearly pinched a goal of their own at the other end, when Brandon O’Keefe turned and shot wide after Neil Weaver had passed it through.
Warrington’s dominance continued in the second half and they should have broke the deadlock two minutes in when frustrated striker Ben Elliott was released through on goal, he tried to take the ball around the ‘keeper who got to it at his feet.
Elliott was further frustrated by Garner after throwing himself at Edwards’ low cross, and then Evan Gumbs headed over at the back post from Josh Doherty’s cross.
It took a bit of fortune for the Yellows to open the scoring on 68 minutes, Luke Burke’s marauding run forward from right back saw him ride a couple of tackles and then divert it over for Daly, who saw his shot come back off the inside of the post but he responded first to sweep home the rebound.
One became two, either side of an unfortunate one minute cameo for substitute David Morgan who was forced off with a hamstring strain, when Edwards finally got his goal, breaking through and firing a right foot shot through the ‘keeper.
Then Bentley put a foot wrong for the first time in the match, failing to deal with Hewelt’s long kick forward, and Goodwin nipped in to loft it over the ‘keeper for his fifth goal in as many matches.
The Yellows go in to Monday’s draw. The last time they reached the third qualifying round was a 2-0 defeat to National League North side Brackley Town in 2019.
Warrington Town: Hewelt, Burke, Doherty, Bjork, Gumbs, Butler, Goodwin (McIntosh), Vela (Morgan (Bayode)), Elliott (Denton), Daly (Hawkins), Edwards. Unused sub: Roper.
South Liverpool: Garner, Maher (McNeill), Dursley (Duff), Mullally, Bentley, Billington, Morrow, Griffiths (McClay), O’Keefe (Howes), Weaver (Clarke), Clarkson. Unused subs: Lloyd, McCauley.
