Season 2020/2021

Official On-Line Match Programme

Pitching In N P L Premier Division. Saturday 17th October 2020 3.00 p.m. kick off TOWN v RADCLIFFE

Welcome to Cantilever Park

THE TEAMS

Warrington Town V Radcliffe (yellow with blue trim/blue/yellow) (all white with red and blue offset stripes)

Charles Albinson 1 Cameron Belford James Baillie 2 Curtis Obeng Michael Rose 3 Javid Swaby-Neavin Charlie Munro 4 Tom Miller Mark Roberts © 5 Jonathon Royle Matt Regan 6 Stephen Johnson-Fikula 7 Luca Navarro Chris Holroyd 8 Simon Lenighan Josh Amis 9 Andy Owens Bohan Dixon 10 Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro Jack Dunn 11 Matty Crothers Craig Carney 12 Larnell Cole Jordan Buckley 14 Joey Oldham Joel Amado 15 Rhian Hellawell Callum Grogan 16 Kole Hall Mitch Duggan 17 Darren McKnight Manager Lee Fowler

Referee Neil Evans Assistant Jack Welch Assistant Justin Walton

Pitching In Northern Premier Division Saturday 17th October 2020, kick off 3-00 p.m.

Focus Increased

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Cantilever Park for this Pitching In Premier Division fixture. May I take this opportunity to offer a warm welcome to all players, officials and supporters of Radcliffe Football Club to Warrington? I trust you all have an enjoyable stay and a safe journey home after the match. Town and Radcliffe are Today’s games – Premier Division among our oldest friends in Ashton United v Mickleover this division having met many Atherton Colls v Stalybridge Celtic Basford United v Bamber Bridge times over the years. This will Buxton v Morpeth Town be the forty fourth meeting in FC United of Man v Stafford Rangers Gainsborough Tr v Witton Alb. all. Indeed, only Nantwich Grantham Town v Lanacster City Town and Lancaster City of Hyde United v Whitby Town the current Premier Division Scarborough Ath v Nantwich Town South Shields v Matlock Town membership have crossed Warrington Town v Radcliffe our paths on more occasions than The Borough, for although they have dropped that tag from their official name, it is still their nickname. I suspect that will continue for many years to come. Radcliffe made a slow but poor start to the season. After our last home game, they sat at the foot of the table with no points but had only played two games so not too much could be read into that. To enforce that point they went away to South Shields a week last Tuesday and came away with a 3-1 win. It lifted them quite a few places. A win and a loss have followed. I am sure they will be here to give us a stern test and I know I say it every week because it is true. They will offer us many problems as every side in this division does. It is a very competitive league most of the time. Maybe, just maybe we will catch them low on confidence and can take advantage of it. All at Warrington obviously hope so but absolutely nothing will be taken for granted. We will approach the game as we would any other and try to do things our way. Looking back, we have a couple of games to catch up on starting with the visit of Whitby Town. This proved to be really close and was played in incessant rain which lasted all day. The pitch held up well though. It was not a classic and unsurprisingly the weather kept the crowd down along with the inevitable worries of the population’s health. It was another clean sheet for Town, the fifth in as many games and crucially we scored one. It came just on half time from a Matt Regan header, his first goal for Town. My editorial that day was “Must Take Full Advantage” which reflected on there only being two league games played that day. Well we did just that to open up a five point lead at the top of the table and maintain our 100% record. We would need to go back to our formative years to beat that record at the start of a league campaign. I think it is fair to say it is the best start we have had since I began watching Town in the 1980’s. As always no one is getting carried away though. Last Saturday saw us play just our second match away from home since the restart and a trip to Mickleover. Sadly, the perfect start to the league campaign is no more as we went down 3-2. It had started well, and we took an early lead through Josh Amis, but things went wrong after that. Mickleover scored three unanswered goals before Jordan Buckley got s a late consolation. In between Scott Brown was sent off along with an opponent following a clash after a heavy challenge. Scott will now miss three games. It was naturally disappointing, but no one truly expects us to win every game. The true test is how we can respond to that loss. On the player front we welcome in Chris Holroyd who joins us from Stalybridge Celtic. Chris has a distinguished Football League career with a plethora of clubs. We wish him well in his time with Warrington Town. On the other hand, a player not currently featuring for Town has gone out on loan. Tom Warren will continue to train with us but is on loan to Spalding Town for a time. Also, Jordan Buckley is struggling with some injuries so is working on a programme of improvement that will allow hopefully him more game time.

Senior cup news now, or sorts. The first round of this historic competition has been drawn and has as quite often been the case in recent seasons, Town have missed the first round draw again. We will come in at round two which is not scheduled until the new year. Last season we were at the semi-final stage when the competition had to be abandoned due to COVID-19. Let’s hope we can finally go one better than that for the first time in our history later in the season. The full first round draw is featured later in this programme.

Our match at Stafford Rangers on 24th October is off as they are still in the FA Cup. No game has been arranged as I write. Our trip to Morpeth has been arranged though and we go there on Tuesday 1st December.

Don’t forget to check the new and improved Warrington Town website for all the latest news and results involving everything to do with Warrington Town. This can be accessed at

http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk

Warrington Town FC Official Supporters Club Join the Official Warrington Town FC Supporters Club for a variety of benefits throughout the season. Adults £20.00 Under 18's £10.00 Some of the benefits include - Up to date Club information, Travel Club Membership, priority ticket sales, discounted coach travel, Match Day updates, members only group, priority for all coach travel. To join, call into the Club Shop on home match days or see social media. Follow us on - Facebook - Warrington Town Supporters Club Twitter - @WarringtonTownS Instagram - warringtontownsupportersclub Email - [email protected] Finally enjoy the match and may the best team from North with a Town suffix win. Paul R.

CONCERT ROOM AVAILABLE FOR DETAILS CALL 01925 555505 WILL ALL SPECTATORS PLEAE KEEP OFF THE PITCH Do not enter the field of play before, during or after the game Warrington Town operates under Warrington Town FC Ltd. Comp No. 06412371 Ltd by shares. No significant interest

TOWN v RADCLIFFE (BOROUGH) - THE HISTORY OF THE CLASH THE FULL RECORD (League games only - 3 points for a win)

HOME AWAY P W D L F A W D L F A Pts GD 36 9 2 7 28 23 8 5 5 26 21 58 +10

CUP MATCHES - SEVEN MEETINGS 1990/1991 HFS Loans League Div 1 Cup 1 Radcliffe Borough 3 Warrington Town 1 1999/2000 FA Cup 1Q Radcliffe Borough 8 Warrington Town 1 2004/2005 UniBond League Challenge Cup 2 Warrington Town 3 Radcliffe Borough 4 (aet) 2007/2008 UniBond League Presidents Cup 2 Radcliffe Borough 4 Warrington Town 1 (aet 1-1) 2009/2010 FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Warrington Town 1 Radcliffe Borough 1 FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay Radcliffe Borough 3 Warrington Town 1 2014/2015 Doodson Sports Cup First Round Radcliffe Borough 0 Warrington Town 3 ------Radcliffe Borough are meeting Town for the forty fourth time in all today. The very first meeting came in the Cheshire League Division Two back in season 1980/81. Boro won 5-4 at Cantilever Park and the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Stainton Park. Twelve months later the home side each recorded a 1-0 win. There then followed a nine year gap before the sides met again, this time in the Northern Premier League (or HFS Loans League as it was known at the time). It was the beginning of a period in which we would meet for seven consecutive seasons. Scores were as follows with Towns home matches and scores being the first listed. 1990/91; 0-1, 1-2, 1991/92; 1-2, 2-2, 1992/93; 2-0, 1-1, 1993/94; 2-1, 2-1, 1994/95; 1-1, 2-0, 1995/96; 1-1, 1-3, & 1996/97; 0-3, 0-3. In that first season in the NPL the sides also met in the old Division One Cup with Boro coming out 3-1 winners. Nine years later we met in the FA Cup 1Q. Town were a NWC Division Two side whilst Radcliffe were a UniBond Premier side. The gulf told in status as we were hammered 8-1. The less said about that the better. The next time we met was in 2004/2005 when Borough won a seven goal thriller in extra time in the UniBond Second Round. We met again three years later at the newly named Inn2gether Stadium (Stainton Park) for a Presidents Cup tie. Town led after twenty six minutes after Mike Ellison had put us ahead. We held on until two minutes from time when Boro drew level. By this time Town were tiring and conceded three extra time goals to lose 4-1. The result meant we had still to beat Radcliffe in cup football. One season passed and we once more found ourselves in the same division after Town were moved north from UniBond League Division One South. The first game of the 2008/09 season came in February and a Phil Hadland strike right on half time was enough to win all the points. The return game was our penultimate of the season and Radcliffe’s last match. Boro won 4-2 to leave Town sweating over their UniBond future, needing one point or any slip up from the two cubs below us. Gahgan and Lamb scored for Town to give us a half time lead. The first and second meetings of 2009/2010 came in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. A 1-1 draw at Cantilever Park got us going. Chris Gahgan equalised for Town from the penalty spot. In the replay Town battered Radcliffe for eighty minutes yet somehow contrived to lose the tie 3-1, with Tony Evans getting our consolation. We only had to wait a few weeks to meet again at Stainton Park and Town made amends for the earlier defeat with a deserved 2-0 win. The fourth meeting that season came in the league in early March and Radcliffe shaded it 2-1. Chris Gahgan scored (his twenty sixth of the season) for Town. The first meeting of 2010/11 was delayed due to bad weather and moved to the final game of a thereafter extended season. We finally met in late March and Borough seriously dented Town’s play-off hopes with a 2-1 win. Tom Hardwick scored a late consolation for Town. Town travelled to Radcliffe for the final game of the season, going down rather tamely 1-0 to a second half penalty. In 2011/12 we met in Radcliffe in late October and a seventh minute Chris Thompson strike was enough to take all the points for Town. The return game had to be rearraned and was eventually played in mid March. Town put up a superb performance to win 3-1 with goals from Dale Wright, Allan Collins and Andy Heald, making his return to the club. The first meeting of 2012/13 saw both sides having recorded a high percentage of draws. No prizes for guessing the result then, the score ending 2-2. Phil Doran and Allan Collins scored for Town. As you can see in all these matches there has never been a goal-less draw although the return game in 2012/13 came close. It was 4th December, and it took an 88th minutes Ciaran Kilheeney strike to give all the points to Town. In 2013/14 we met again on 2nd November with Town in the enviable position of sitting top of the league, whilst Borough were near the bottom. This one went to form as Town scored either side of the breakthrough Carlos Meakin and David Mannix to win 2-0. For the return game on the last day of November Town were still top and had not relinquished that position in the interim. Boro were one off the bottom. Scott Metcalf gave us a first half lead and it all seemed to be going to form. However, Boro found an equaliser after the break to set up a tense finish. In the dying second Ash Ruane struck to give us all three crucial points. The first meeting of 2014/15 actually came in the Doodson Sports Cup and Town for once made progress with a rare league cup win (we would go on to lift the trophy). The victory was achieved with some comfort too. A first half brace from Scott Metcalfe and David Mannix was rounded off with a third from Steve Foster, final score 3-0. We would only have to wait four days until we met again in the league and it was as you were. Second half goals from Ash Ruane (2) and Steve Foster gave us an identical 3-0 winning score-line. The league meeting at Stainton Park also saw Town register a hat trick of wins and once again by three goals, only this time though the score was 4-1. Early goals from Mannix and McCarten put is in control but Boro halved the deficit before the break. In was short lived as Nathan Burke and Ben Collins, getting his first goal for the first team, completed the scoring. For 2015/16 we met for just the second game of the season and Town ran out 2-0 winners at Cantilever Park with a goal in each half (Walters og & Burke). When the return came it was the exact opposite end of the season and Town had just clinched the league title. A changed line up took to the field and never got going in the first half. We trailed 1-0 but early substitutions changed things and two from Danny O’Donnell and a Ciaran Kilheeney penalty gave us a 3-1 win and maintain our record of having scored in every league game that season. Four seasons passed and Radcliffe, now without the Borough suffix won promotion to the NPL Premier Division. We met on 14th September 2019 in Radcliffe. Tyrese Sinclair gave the host side a lead, but Tony Gray cancelled it out on the hour mark, and it ended all square at 1-1. The return came in mid January 2020 with Town shading it 1-0 thanks to a first goal for eth club from Jordan Buckley With plenty at stake today I would anticipate a close and entertaining game will be in evidence. So long as we all enjoy it. Come on Town!

LOOKING BACK TO 17TH OCTOBER – ON THIS DAY… 1953/1954 Stockton Heath hit double figures in a massive 10-0 win at home to Goostrey in a Mid Cheshire League match. The goals came from Arnold (5), Griffin (2), Cleeton, Rudge and Ripon. It is not our record win though. 1970/1971 Town won 5-2 away to Lostock Gralam in a Mid Cheshire League match. Barnes, Nicholls, Hinton, Bibby and Sankey scored the goals 1976/1977 Town won 3-0 at home to Newton in the FA Vase Second Round. The goals came from Brown (2) and Hardy 1981/1982 Town won 3-0 at home to Atherton Laburnum Rovers in a Cheshire League Division Two match. The goals came from Brown (2) and Stokes. 1992/1993 Town again won 3-0 (that’s a hat trick of them) at home to Shepshed Albion in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round. scored all three. 1995/1996 Town drew 1-1 with Radcliffe Borough (the first points dropped so far). Edwards scored for Town. 1998/1999 Town lost 1-0 at home to Squires Gate in a North Western Trains League Division Two match. The attendance was sixty seven 2000/2001 Town won 2-1 away to Nantwich Town in a North West Counties League Floodlit Trophy First Round. Andy Barr and Mike Heverin scored. The attendance was sixty. 2006/2007 Town won 2-0 away to Colwyn Bay in a UniBond League Division One fixture. A crowd of 241 saw Dave Tickle and Chris Fitzsimmons score our goals. 2009/2010 Town exited the AF Trophy but put up a good fight away to higher league opponents. This was a First Qualifying Round tie at Whitby Town. Jimmy McCarthy scored both our goals as we went down 5-2. 274 attended. 2015/2016 A happy away day in Cumbria as we won 3-0 at Kendal Town for an Evo-Stik League Division One North match. 224 attended with the goals coming from Nathan Burke, Ciaran Kilheeney and Ben Deegan. 2017/2018 Another away day over the border to Colwyn Bay and another win, this time 3-2 in the Integro League Cup First Round. Just 133 saw Hughes and Sanogo (2) score our goals

Introducing… Radcliffe FC

The club was formed on the 24 May 1949 at the Owd Tower Inn in Radcliffe by Jack Pickford and a committee of seventeen and became a member of the South East Lancashire Football League. In 1974 it was accepted into the Cheshire League, which subsequently became the North West Counties League (NWCL). The first season in the North West Counties brought success when Radcliffe secured the Second Division championship in front of a record Stainton Park crowd of 1,468. After one season in the First Division, Radcliffe lifted the First Division championship in 1985 and made the step up into the newly formed Northern Premier League (NPL) First Division in 1987. After many years in the division the ‘90s saw an upturn in fortunes on the pitch. In 1996 the club reached the last sixteen of the FA Trophy and in 1997 won the league. The stay lasted for one season as having to invest in the stadium to be allowed to compete at that level, meant that matters on the pitch suffered and so the club was relegated back to the NPL First Division. Radcliffe reached the First round of the FA Cup in 2000 losing 4-1 at home to Division Three side York City at Gigg Lane, Bury in front of 2,495 supporters. The club was promoted again in 2002/03 via the Play-offs beating Chorley 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stainton Park. Jody Banim scored 46 goals in a fantastic season for him. Radcliffe was back in the NPL Premier Division again and a place in the newly formed Conference North was up for grabs. Sitting in sixth position in the league by November the club was looking good to play at its highest ever level. Jody Banim set the English record for scoring in consecutive games and received national recognition and bigger clubs came calling. He was sold to Shrewsbury Town in December for £20,000. On the field the club suffered and slid to nineteenth in the table and into the Play-offs, subsequently losing to Burscough in the Semi-Finals. The club continued to be near the Play-offs and solid midtable finishes followed but after four seasons were relegated back to the First Division in 2006/07, where the club have remained until 2019. Midtable finishes and the occasional battle against relegation was the order of that period after a decade of success and a few cup runs. In 2016 the club management changed, as a new chairman and manager took the reins. Off the field investment was given to the stadium, much needed after many years, including a new stand at the Pilkington Road end of the stadium, and a new press area and Director’s area after being destroyed by fire. In addition, a new covered turnstile block was added, as well as a TV Gantry, Boardroom, club shop, Sponsors Lounge and Social Club. The club also changed name dropping the “Borough” suffix officially in 2018. Reaching the Lancashire Cup Final in 2017 nearly brought silverware to the new era. League finishes for the first two seasons were roughly the same as before. However, with new manager in charge with Frank Sinclair as his assistant, positive results were earned towards the end of 2017/18. The future looked bright and the hard work and investment on and off the pitch paid off as the club was promoted via the Play-offs, beating Leek Town 2-1, back to the NPL Premier Division for the 2019/20 season. That season though was not completed due to the coronavirus outbreak

Radcliffe FC – The Players

Cameron Belford – Goalkeeper Cam is an experienced shot stopper who joined the Boro’ this season. Equally as good with his feet as he is with his hands, Cam is sure to be a fans favorite at the Neuven. Cam has played for the likes of FC United, Bury and Wrexham, his level of experience will lend well to Lee Fowler’s youthful side.

Joey Oldham – Goalkeeper An Academy graduate who is the understudy to Belford. Joey got his first minutes during the pre-season campaign. Oldham is learning the ropes from Belford and Goalkeeper coach Nick Culkin. He is definitely one for the future.

Curtis Obeng – Defender Another summer signing, Obeng adds a wealth of experience to the Boro back line. A clever full back who likes to bomb forward and cause problems for his opposite number.

Raheem Hanley – Defender Another darting full back, Raheem has impressed since joining the club late in the 2019/20 season. Hanley grabbed his first goal against Bamber Bridge last campaign, and he will be looking to add plenty more this year with those pacey runs forward.

Jack Shiels – Defender Jack joins the club after playing in America for a number of years. Despite only being 22 he has a wealth of experience from his time in the States. A clever centre half who is very comfortable on the ball. Jack has gone from strength to strength in pre-season and will be looking to continue to improve this year.

Luis Morrison – Defender Luis is another exciting addition to the defence at the Neuven. Morrison has swapped to Boro’ for another as he joins from Nuneaton. A no nonsense centre back who has already found the net for the club in pre-season.

Jo Cummings – Defender After a successful loan spell at the club last season, Jo has joined the Boro’ on a permanent basis. Jo is a threat in both boxes so expect plenty of goals and clean sheets from the former Sheffield United man. Cummings made his senior debut for the Blades back in 2016 in a 4-2 victory over Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy.

Louis White – Midfielder An exciting youngster who Lee Fowler has signed up after impressing last season. A clever midfielder who is shy of a tackle or of a shot at goal. Louis will be looking to learn from the experience around his as he looks to become Boro’s number one midfielder.

Rhian Hellawell – Midfielder Rhain, a pacey winger with an eye for goal joined the Boro’ from FC United. Hellawell isn’t afraid to dart forward and take on defenders in the attacking third. The former FC and Widnes man will be looking to give plenty of defender’s nightmares when running down the wing.

Matty Crothers – Midfielder A fans favourite at the Neuven, Matty is the longest serving Boro’ player at the club. An integral part of the Boro’s promotion to the Northern Premier back in 2018/19 campaign. Crothers, now club captain will be looking to take the Boro to the next level this time around. Another classy centre midfielder with a dangerous set piece in his locker.

Luca Navarro – Midfielder Luca is a tricky midfielder who is equally as comfortable out wide as he is in the middle. The former Bolton man has been in brilliant form in pre-season and he will be looking to add plenty of goals and assists to his Boro account this season.

Jonathan Royle – Midfielder Another summer addition to Lee Fowler’s side. ‘Joffy’ is a classy centre midfielder who signs from Telford, a real coop for the Boro’. A box to box midfielder who dominates the center of the park. The 25-year-old adds some real star quality to the midfielder.

Darren McKnight – Midfielder Another midfielder who impressed last season. Daz is equally as comfortable in the attacking third as he is the defensive. McKnight popped up with some vital goals last season and he will be looking to continue in the same vein of form this time around. The winner of the 2019/20 Boro’ goal of the season award will also be looking to keep his crown.

Simon Lenighan – Midfielder Simon signs for the Boro from fellow Northern Premier side Buxton. Lenighan is a dominant force in the midfield who rarely loses the ball. A powerful midfielder who isn’t afraid of a challenge or a pop at goal.

Leon Donnelly – Midfielder Donnelly, another Academy graduate. He will be looking to learn from the experienced member of the squad to push into the starting eleven. His link up play and passing in the final third are brilliant and we can expect a lot from this youngster.

Kole Hall – Forward Kole is going to be a massive handful for defenders up and down the league this season. A Pacey and powerful forward who never stops running he has already got his Boro’ account up and running in front of goal. An exciting addition to Lee Fowler’s side for the upcoming season.

Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro – Forward After impressing ‘Fowls’ towards the end of last season, Jean Louis has signed up for another season at the Neuven. The 34-year-old has a wealth of experience from up and down the football pyramid, playing for the likes of Oldham and Bury in previous years. A classy forward with a great touch who knows where the goal is.

Andy Owens – Forward An absolute work horse up front, Andy has already hit the ground running at the Boro’. Since joining from Airbus he is already becoming a fans favorite at the Neuven. Both a massive threat in the air and with his feet, Andy will be looking to post some big numbers in the Northern Premier League.

Khius Metz – Forward Khius joins the Boro after spending most of his footballing career at Burnley. Renowned for his pace, Metz will be looking to hit the ground running with the Boro. The former Republic of Ireland U19 international will be looking to strike a partnership with his new teammates grab plenty of goals.

Warrington Town FC – Player Sponsors

Player Sponsor Joel Amado Jamie & Jess Josh Amis IJMJ Group James Baillie Morgan & Andrew Scott Brown A C Joinery Jordan Buckley Tavern Sports Bar Craig Carney Warrington Town Supporters Club Luke Duffy Ocean Bathrooms & Kitchens Mitch Duggan Amanda and Eric Hughes Jack Dunn Ged & Brandon Cain Bohan Dixon Rob & Steve Callum Grogan Frank Bird Roofing Evan Gumbs Neil, Andrew & Phil Jack Mackreth Belleair Gardening Services Charlie Munro John Atkinson Matthew Regan MP Sports Therapy Mark Roberts X Digital Media Michael Rose The Rochdale Fans of Warrington Tom Warren Ryan Bate

Talking Cheshire 2020/21

The Senior Cup

1st Round

Date & Time Home Team Away Team of Fixture

Congleton Town vs Alsager Town 3rd Nov

Macclesfield T vs Cammell Laird 1907 TBC

Witton Albion vs Crewe Alexandra 13 Oct

Cheadle Town vs Cheadle H N 10th Nov

Northwich Vics vs Runcorn Town TBA

Stalybridge C vs Stockport Town TBA

1874 Northwich vs Sandbach United 3rd Nov

Away Winsford United vs Tranmere Rovers Walkover

Altrincham vs Barnton 4th Nov

Bye to Second Round Chester, Hyde U, Nantwich T, Runcorn L, Stockport C, Vauxhall M, Warrington T

Report (James Gordon) – Town 1 Whitby Town 0 Pitching In NPL Premier Division – Saturday 3rd October 2020 WARRINGTON Town’s unbreached start to the season continued with another win, as they saw off Whitby Town 1-0. In a game as uninspiring as the relentless rain at Cantilever Park, Matthew Regan’s header on the stroke of half time proved to be the difference, as the Yellows made it four wins out of four in the Northern Premier League. With virtually everyone else in FA Cup action on the day, the win puts the Yellows five points clear at the top. Whitby manager Chris Hardy had resigned in the days leading up to the game, and so the Seasiders were in the caretaker charge of Lee Bullock and Nathan Haslam and they nearly got off to a dream start within three minutes. Liam Cooke found space on the right hand side and his low cross evaded a couple of bodies in the box and fell to James Martin on the far side, who had time to set himself and shoot from five yards out, only to be denied by Charlie Albinson’s superb save, as he started the path towards a fifth successive clean sheet. It was fairly obviously from the kick-off that the conditions would impact on the game, but it was the visitors who adjusted to it best early doors, and they created a couple of half openings that came to nothing. In-form Bohan Dixon had the Yellows’ brightest moments, twice weaving in and out of a couple of defenders, only to be denied just as he was about to pull the trigger in the box on both occasions. A golden opportunity fell to Marcus Giles on 23 minutes, after Regan’s hesitation saw him dispossessed by Jacob Hazel, with the striker squaring for Giles to shoot from the centre of the goal, only for him to screw his shot wide with just Albinson to beat. The Yellows best spell came right at the end of the first half, when they forced a succession of corners, and it was from the third of those that they scored the decisive goal. Scott Brown’s inswinging corner from the left was met by an unmarked Regan, who found the back of the net. Whitby continued to have the better of the openings in the second half, in and around spells of Warrington retaining possession, with Hazel denied one-on-one by Albinson, parrying away a left-foot shot shortly after the hour mark. As time ran out, the Seasiders pushed on and when Albinson’s punch on Adam Gell’s cross didn’t go where he intended, Mark Roberts was back on the line to clear the resulting shot, and then Albinson was out quick to put off Jonathon Burn as he slid in for a chance moments later. The Yellows held on, and will enjoy a first match day without a game this Tuesday night, before the trip to Mickleover FC

Report (James Gordon) – Mickleover 3 Town 2 Pitching In NPL Premier Division Saturday 10th October 2020 WARRINGTON Town suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 3-2 at Mickleover. The Yellows led through Josh Amis after dominating the opening exchanges, but after Phillip Watt’s equaliser, they lost their way and it was the hosts who adjusted better to a double red card that saw Scott Brown and Mason Warren given an early bath. Declan Bacon fired Sports in front on the hour and Stuart Beavon made the points safe with 10 minutes left, with Jordan Buckley’s injury-time goal mere consolation for Paul Carden’s side. With a 100% record going into the game, the Yellows started as favourites and they had the large majority of possession in the opening exchanges, as much of the game was played in the Mickleover half. Amis had already gone close on seven minutes when an awkwardly cross by Michael Rose deceived the ‘keeper, with left back Alex Morris just about doing enough to stop Amis sneaking the rebound in at the post. After forcing a corner, Amis opened the scoring by firing home from close range after Mark Roberts had headed Charlie Munro’s corner back across goal. Joe Slinn watched Jack Mackreth’s rising shot over the bar and then Bohan Dixon, who found pockets of space throughout the first half, hit a bouncing shot wide. The pattern of the game changed dramatically in the 10 minutes leading up to half-time. First, Charlie Albinson was called in to action for the first time to deny Jake Bennett’s header from a narrow angle after an unorthodox one-two with Declan Bacon, and from the resulting corner, Albinson was beaten for the first time time this season, as defender Watt headed in from five yards out. Then came the main talking point of the match as Brown and Warren went for a 50/50 challenge in midfield, which prompted a reaction from Warren and almost every other player on the pitch to get involved in the handbags afterwards. Brown had jumped in to a two-footed tackle and was shown a red, while Mickleover captain Warren was also dismissed, despite his protests, for his reaction which saw him hover over Brown on the floor and raise his hands. Warrington started the second half strongly without carving out a clear cut opportunity, Watt just about getting enough of a touch on a dangerous Rose cross to take it away from Amis. But gradually, the triumvirate of Bacon, Paddy Webb and veteran Stuart Beavon started to cause the visitors problems and both Webb and Beavon had fired warning shots before Mickleover took the lead. A bit of head tennis in midfield broke in favour of the hosts, and freed Bacon up behind Matt Regan and he kept his cool to finish well past Albinson for 2-1. A couple of changes followed, with Chris Holroyd coming on for his Yellows debut, but they were finding it hard to unlock the Mickleover defence, while the hosts started to look ever more threatening on the break. Amis came closest to an equaliser on 71 minutes, latching on to Regan’s clipped ball over the top, and trying to lob over Slinn, who just about got enough on it to keep it out. In their desperation to get forward, the Yellows got sloppy at the back and they were punished 10 minutes from time when Beavon lofted the ball beautifully over Albinson first time and inside the far post for 3-1. It could have got worse for the Yellows, with Bacon hitting the post with a cheeky chip of his own, and although substitute Buckley lashed one home in the third minute of injury time the game, and the Yellows’ unbeaten start to the season, was gone.