Kidsgrove Athletic 3

Warrington Town 0

WARRINGTON became the latest victims of Kidsgrove's potent goal machine on Saturday.

Town took heart from their record as one of only two teams to inflict league defeats on the title favourites this season, but were unable to repeat the feat.

The home side have so far reaped a staggering total of 125 goals this season and are on course to hit the 200 mark by the end of the campaign.

Warrington were always second best against a fluid and supremely confident outfit but nevertheless squandered a number of opportunities for a different outcome.

Bouyed up by a long awaited victory in their previous match, Town matched Kidsgrove as an attacking threat in the first half.

But the continuing lack of fire power, resulting in a meagre return of only seven goals in 12 matches, again posed a major problem.

Striker Kevin Tyrrell was guilty of a bad miss after Clive Walklet had put Kidsgrove ahead, shooting weakly at 'keeper Scott Bentley.

They were then denied by the woodwork as Danny Hobby lobbed the 'keeper superbly but Ian Langton fired against the bar.

A frenzied goalmouth melee then ensued, with two headed efforts being cleared off the line amid a ruck of players.

Warrington lost Neil Boardman with ankle ligament damage in the first half and suffered a further set back when substitute Neil Johnson was dismissed on the hour.

Following a tackle by Scott Dundas, Johnson headbutted the Kidsgrove forward. Back in the side for the first time this season after a long term injury, Johnson looks certain to receive a 35 day ban.

"He was ashamed of what he had done and apologised to the other players immediately after the game," said manager Dave Hughes.

"His behaviour was totally out of character with his normal conduct on the field."

Substitute Nigel Mottram added a third for Kidsgrove in the closing minutes.

Team: Thomson, Glass, Anderton, Owen, Langton, Hope, N. Boardman (Johnson 27mins); Swift (Clay 79), Thornley, Tyrrell (Ellis 77); McGhee.

Warrington face relegation strugglers Holker at home tomorrow, Saturday.

Colin Serjent

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