WARRINGTON Town manager Paul Carden was pleased to see his new look side get off the mark with a win at Lancaster City on Tuesday night.
The Giant Axe has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the Yellows over the years and they trailed to an early Simon Wills goal, before turning it around after an own goal and two lovely team goals finished off by Josh Amis and James Caton.
Carden said: “We started a bit tetchy and anxious and we never got any real flow to the game, but when they scored, we decided to wake up and we pushed on.
“We’d spoken about pushing onto them, we pressed them higher up the pitch and they couldn’t get out, and I think that’s where we went into our own and gained more control.
“Winning brings confidence and belief, we’ve got a lot of good players and it’s just about gelling and working again on Thursday (at training) and getting familiar with each others strengths and weaknesses.”
Latest signing Adam Hughes started at left-back, having made his debut at centre-back on Saturday, while Robbie Evans put in a man of the match display having been disappointed with his own performance against Farsley.
Carden added: “Hughesy has only had one training session with us and he makes a great run for the second goal, it was a well worked goal and it’s pleasing to see.
“Even though Robbie wasn’t pleased with his performance on Saturday, he comes off the pitch and rings his shirt out and that’s all you can ask.
“That was how I expect him to play, he covered every blade of grass and him and Ben Garrity were outstanding in the middle of the pitch, they had four in there at times and they out ran them and picked up every second ball.”
Replacing Hughes at centre-back was former Chester captain Luke George making his debut, and a familiar face in goalkeeper Tony McMillan also drew praise from the manager.
He added: “Luke had a bad injury last season and I know it got to him and he was feeling low, there wasn’t much on for him.
“He just wanted to come somewhere and play and try and enjoy it and tidy himself up, and he was outstanding considering how long he’s been off.
“Tony makes a great save at 1-0 and I said to him after the game, that’s the Tony McMillan I know.
“It wasn’t just about the saves, that’s what he’s there to do – but his kicking. He’s dropping it 10 yards outside their box and when you’ve got someone who does that it’s good.
“When he concentrates he’s as good as anyone in this league. He’s been out of this league and the league above, he’s a winner, he’s got that experience, and when he pulls it together he’s very good, I just hope to see more of that.”
Warrington Town play twice over the Bank Holiday weekend, welcoming Stalybridge Celtic to Cantilever Park on Saturday before a trip to Bamber Bridge on Monday (both 3pm kick-off).
