Warrington Town beat Nantwich Town in Cheshire derby
Warrington Town returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Nantwich Town at Cantilever Park.
It was a relatively routine win for the Yellows, though Connor Heath’s injury time goal made the finale more dramatic than necessary.
An early own-goal and a typically clinical second half goal from Jordan Buckley had put them in front, and in truth the hosts could have had plenty more.
Sean Williams’ free-kick, following a foul on Buckley, was headed in to his own goal off the underside of the bar by Dabbers defender Matthew Devine to give the Yellows the perfect start following the disappointment of Saturday’s draw against Grantham Town.
Skipper Mark Roberts was on the bench with Evan Gumbs and Matt Regan preferred at centre-back, but it was their opposite duo of Joel Stair and Troy Bourne that had the most to do.
Stefan Mols was handed a first start in the league since before Christmas and he had a shot with the outside of his right foot fly just wide.
Buckley should have doubled the lead on 19 minutes when a low Mols cross, his run and shot at the near post saved by Matthew Gould, who then denied Buckley on the rebound.
Luke Duffy was also denied and then after a succession of corners, Gould once again denied Buckley.
Gould’s opposite number Dan Atherton was a virtual spectator, and the second half started in a similar vein, with Gould quick to react to twice deny captain for the night Josh Amis.
The crucial second goal came on the hour mark, Amis holding the ball up well and putting Buckley away. He weaved in and out of Devine and then lashed home a low shot through Gould.
A Matt Regan volley was cleared off the line and substitute Ben Hough was also denied off Buckley’s pull back.
The only frustration for the Yellows was the manner the game ended. A Dan Cockerline flick on was poked home by Heath at the start of injury time, which prompted a couple of minutes to hold on that the Yellows managed, partly thanks to the efforts of Amis in the final third.
Warrington Town now have three consecutive games away from home – Hyde United, FC United and Basford United.
Warrington Town: Atherton, Baillie (Roberts), Coulton, Dixon, Gumbs, Regan, Mols (Hough), Williams, Buckley (Mackreth), Amis, Duffy. Unused subs: Grivosti, Speare.
Nantwich Town: Gould, Sinclair, Devine, Bourne, Stair (Vaughan), Mitchell, Bickerstaffe (Montefiori), Heath, Cockerline, Cooke, Robbins (Miller). Unused subs: Malkin, Edwards.
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