WE’RE less than a week in to the new football season, but there are signs that a positive season is ahead for Warrington Town.
They should really be sitting with maximum points after two games, but for a disappointing injury time equaliser conceded at Lancaster City on Tuesday.
It’s the sort of result you can’t afford many of if you are to win the league, or indeed make the play-offs, regardless of whether Lancaster is a tough place to go or not. Twice the Yellows were in a winning position, and twice it was squandered. But early in the season, it is something to learn from.
Two new signings have particularly impressed in the first two games, young centre half Liam Goulding put in some crucial tackles and was also composed at bringing the ball out from the back at the Giant Axe. The fact that Goulding is only in the team due to the unavailability of Jack Higgins (injury) and Phil Baker (international clearance) is perhaps a sign of the quality at Paul Carden’s disposal.
Another Liam, midfielder Hynes, has also impressed with his all action and energetic midfield play, and he can play a bit. He was substituted on Tuesday night as the Yellows pressed for a winner at 1-1, and perhaps the second equaliser wouldn’t have happened had he still been there.
In the central midfielder area, Carden has Hynes, regular starter Sean Williams and the experienced Bradley Barnes available, and there will be some selection headaches there for sure.
It was good to see Ruben Jerome get off the mark on Tuesday night, a striker who needs goals to breed confidence. Jerome made a name for himself as a super sub last season, but as any player does, wants to be a starting marksman. To hold on to his place, he needs to score, and so he ticked that box on Tuesday, and could have had another.
Strike partner Tony Gray put himself about on Saturday though seemed half a yard off the pace at Lancaster. With Josh Hine, currently playing wide right, an option through the middle as well as the option to add a third central midfielder in, both strikers will be on their toes to perform.
The club struggled to find a left-back in the summer and so it was almost a welcome relief that Rory McKeown’s move elsewhere failed to materialise, as he is a dependable number three at this level.
Another left back, Caleb Richards, has been drafted in on loan from Blackpool, and the youngster put in a stellar performance playing at right back at Lancaster.
Long-term injured Gerard Kinsella is putting a shift in week-in week-out to return to full fitness, and looks as enthusiastic as ever. He undoubtedly has the quality, and once he’s back, Carden will have four of the best midfielders in the league to pick from.
The games come thick and fast at this stage of the season, and a target of 23 points from the first 10 games should ensure the Yellows are there or thereabouts at the top.
They are next in action at Coalville on Saturday before Ashton United visit Cantilever Park on Tuesday.
