Warrington Town 5

Oldham Town 0

SAVOUR the sensational goalscoring skills of Damien Whitehead at Warrington Town before it is too late.

His four goals against basement side Oldham took his total to 27 this season and his outstanding record is again attracting the spies from higher league clubs.

Everton and Oldham Athletic had scouts at this North Western Trains League Division Two game and they must have left Cantilever Park impressed with his poaching prowess.

After the game manager Dave Hughes conceded: "We do have Damien on a contract until the end of the season with a further option after that but I don't know how long we are going to be able to keep hold of him."

The 19-year-old is thoroughly enjoying his soccer with Town but he is ambitious and wants to go as high as he can in the game.

Whitehead said after Tuesday night's win: "I always set myself a target for a season of 50 goals and I normally get it. I have managed 27 so far and I only came into the team at the end of September. I think there are about 17 games to go so it is within reach."

The service was certainly right for Whitehead against Oldham. Strike partner Kevin Tyrell, who worked tirelessly, laid Whitehead's first on a plate in the third minute for a simple tap in.

Paul Anderton fired in a lovely cross for Gavin McDonald - the last man to hit four for Town, back in October 1991 - to head home in the 56th minute and then the floodgates opened.

Anderton's corner found Whitehead unmarked on the far post for a nod in.

Whitehead's hat-trick goal was bizarre. He hit a post when it was easier to score but chased the ball from the rebound and back-heeled it into the net as defenders and the goalkeeper watched on stunned.

Three minutes from time substitute Paul Berry whipped in a delivery which Tyrell missed with a spectacular dive but Whitehead came from nowhere to slot it home.

Town: Paul Knights, Ian Bold, Joey Fenton, Steve Cartledge, Elfyn Edwards, Gavin McDonald, Terry Nestor, Andy Tague, Kevin Tyrrell, Damien Whitehead, Paul Anderton. Subs: Chris Hunt, Ian Shaw, Paul Berry.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Town travel to top of the table Fleetwood.

Town have re-signed their former 'keeper Neil Weaver from Mid-Cheshire side Beeches this week as cover for Alan Thompson, who is facing possibly a month's suspension.

But midfielder James Ward, who was dropped for Saturday's game, telephoned Dave Hughes on Sunday to say he had quit.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Town travel to top of the table Fleetwood.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.