Gahgan hat trick inspires Town

Rossendale United 1 Warrington Town 3

TOWN travelled to lowly Rossendale, looking to put their previous two defeats behind them at a ground where they have not had the greatest of results in the last few seasons.
But they came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, taking the game to their hosts, and could have gone ahead within a minute, with striker Tony Evans forcing a fantastic low save out of United goalkeeper Tom Brocklehurst.
However, they were ahead within two minutes when Chris Gahgan beat the home side’s offside trap to slot home from the angle.
Town were now well on top and went looking for a second goal, with striker Tony Evans going close. United only rarely threatened, but striker Fran Powell saw his looping header hit the crossbar.
Darren Kinsey was next to go close for Town, seeing his header go narrowly wide and forcing Brocklehurst to palm away his 30 yard free kick.
Town went further ahead in the 25th minute, when Brocklehurst was dismissed for bringing down striker Jimmy McCarthy, allowing Gahgan to blast home the penalty. Town now took their foot off the gas and the game settled down. Tony Evans should have put them further ahead soon afterwards, but sliced his effort, from Gahgan’s pass, over the bar.
Richard Chetcuti replaced Evans at half time and gave a new dimension to Town’s attack, but it was United who had the first chance, striker Jason Hart shooting wide when well placed. The home side got back into the game, when Town keeper Zac Jones was alleged to have fouled Hart and the same player got up to beat Jones at the second attempt after seeing his initial effort well saved.
The home side began to press forward looking for an equaliser, but Town were the team to have the better chances, Gahgan shooting straight at the keeper, and Kinsey seeing his shot go across the face. Town wrapped the game up when Gahgan was on hand to complete his hat trick, when he slotted home after fine work from midfielder Phil Hadland, who robbed an opponent before running 30 yards and slipping in to Gahgan.
Town should have had a fourth goal when McCarthy saw his effort well saved by the substitute keeper.
Warrington Town: Jones, Grogan, Kinsey, Hardwick, Tomlinson (c), Taylor (Smith, 84), Hadland, Connolly (McLennon, 78), Evans (Chetcuti, 46), McCarthy, Gahgan. Subs not used, Dacey, Brown