Play-off hopes slipping away

WARRINGTON’ Town’s play-off hopes are slipping away as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Clitheroe last night despite the goal-keeping heroics of new signing Ben Connett (pictured above).
Town handed debuts to two players, Ben Connett replaced Richie Mottram in goal, and new signing Mike Duffey from Skelmersdale United, coming in for the absent Phil Hadland at right back.
The home side started brightest, on their unusually sloping pitch, but the first opportunity fell to Mick O’Donnell, who blasted high over the bar. Town were indebted to the debutant Connett shortly after, denying Zach Clarke, firstly with an excellent low save, then during the ensuing goalmouth scramble, which saw the home side only come away with a corner.
Jimmy McCarthy came closest to scoring for Town in the first half, forcing home keeper Danny Hanford into a fine low save. The home side were generally in charge, but a lack of quality in the final third meant that they didn’t create much in the way of opportunities. When they did get a chance, Connett was on had to deny Clarke twice more.
Town’s Gavin Salmon went close for Town, just failing to connect with Chris Gahgan’s curling free kick.
The second half began like much of the first half, a game played at 100 mph, but devoid of much quality, especially in the final third. McCarthy saw a curling free kick go wide of the target. The home side took the lead in the 53rd minute when captain Jason Jones, was given time to slot home beyond Connett, after hesitancy in the Town defence. Connett was once more in action soon after, when he produced another double save to deny the home side. McCarthy went close shortly afterwards, seeing his blast go narrowly over the bar. Town came close to scoring in the 67th minute when Hanford was forced to palm Gahgan’s free kick away at full stretch.
The home side were in charge of the game and twice more seriously tested Connett, who produced two saves, the latter of which was a fine low effort to push the ball around the post. Town found an equaliser with a rare attack, with top scorer Chris Gahgan (pictured below) pouncing on a loose ball, to beat Hanford at his near post with a drive from an acute angle. Just when Town looked like hanging on for a point, substitute Alan Coar produced an unstoppable 30 yard drive to beat Connett and deny Town a barely deserved point.

For more pictures from the game click on the image below

Town: Ben Connett (d), Mike Duffey (d) (Dutton, 90), Toone (Kinsey, 62), Kennedy, Grogan, Taylor (Rutter, 72), McCarthy, O’Donnell, Evans, Salmon, Gahgan subs not used: Roberts, Dacey