AS his Warrington Town side swept to a dominant and memorable opening-day victory at Southport, Mark Beesley was happy to see their work behind closed doors come to fruition.
In their first game at National League North level, Yellows cantered to a 4-0 victory against established Step Two opposition with a clinical and incisive display of attacking football.
They could barely have dreamed of a better start, but Beesley insists that is all it is.
“To come and win 4-0 at a place like this is a good achievement for us,” he said.
“We’ve got to take confidence from that and belief that we are capable, but it’s only one game.
“We’ve got to be ready for what’s coming up with a small squad and we’ve picked up another injury today with Jordan Buckley.
“You can only perform on the day and we have. We’ve worked on things this week, which were clearly there in our performance and that’s the most pleasing thing.
“We spoke about how to deal with their threats and we did it to a man.
“The lads enjoyed it and you could see the smiles on their faces given how we played, because these lads really can play.
“The way we’ve played at times in the past 18 months has been a joy to watch and it was the same today – some of the one and two-touch football was outstanding.
“You’re going to give the ball away the odd time, but I want us to pass the ball, move and create space.
“At times, especially in the second half, we countered brilliantly.”
Having started the game brightly, Town were on the back foot with the half-time whistle about to sound before Sean Williams curled a superb effort into the top corner to open the scoring.
Luke Duffy then hit the hosts with another blow just after the break by steering home a controlled volley and when Bohan Dixon rounded Southport keeper Chris Renshaw to coolly slot home goal number three, Town and their 424 travelling fans were in dreamland.
Perhaps fittingly, it was Isaac Buckley-Ricketts – the man whose 90th-minute play-off final winner in May made games like this a reality – who rounded off the scoring, finishing off another rapier-like counter-attack.
“The first half was one of two halves I think – we were on top in the first 20 minutes and then they were on top, but we still had two great chances to go ahead within that,” Beesley said.
“The chances they created were offside so I won’t really count them!
“Scoring just on half time was massive – Southport were in the ascendency and caused us a few problems from set pieces, so we were saying it was important we got in at 0-0 but to get in at 1-0 was a bonus.
“I believe we brought 400 supporters here – it’s a proper ground with a superb pitch.
“No disrespect to the league we’ve just come out of, but it’s a massive step up in everything.
“It’s testament to where we are as a club to bring 400 people here when it’s pouring down. They got right behind us and it feels like the club is moving forward.
“It’s not always going to be like this of course and we won’t win 4-0 every week, but I know the supporters will stick around us because we’re going to need them.
“There’s going to be difficult periods but it’s a good start.”
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