Warrington Town 4

Mossley 2

WARRINGTON Town fans went through a rollercoaster of emotions at Cantilever Park on Saturday.

But unlike the majority of the North West Counties Soccer League Division One games they have seen this season, the match had a happy ending.

Town recorded their first victory in eight league outings to the relief of manager Alan Blair.

He said: "Our performances have been getting gradually better of late but we have not been picking up enough points.

"We were desperate for a victory and thanks to a good performance against one of the favourites to win the league, we got it."

Town were dire in the first half but they managed to get to the half-time break on level terms thanks to a powerful drive by Dave Tickle and an opportunist goal by Andy Moore.

Tickle's ninth minute effort was fumbled into the goal by Mossley goalkeeper Robert Hackney. He suffered a hand injury trying to make the save and substitute striker Anthony Carrol was given the nod to deputise in goal.

Carrol had plenty of work to do at the start of the second half as Town rained in shots on his goal.

It was hard to believe that the Town team that emerged for the second half was the same as the confidence stricken side that was on show in the first. There was more quality and aggression in their play and they deservedly opened up a two-goal cushion.

Mike Heverin lofted the ball over the onrushing Carrol on 62 minutes and Moore smashed the ball home after latching on to a Paul Davis headed clearance three minutes later.

Mossley hit the woodwork three times and had a shot cleared off the line as Town held on for three precious points.

Team: Terry O'Hanlon, Dave Pick, Steve Cartledge, Paul Davies, Lee Webster, Paul Hives, Steve Latham, Dave Tickle, Mike Heverin, Adam Naylor, Andy Moore. Subs: Andy Tague, Matty Adams, David Matthews.

l Town are hoping to recruit some new ball boys for their matches on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday nights. Anyone interested should contact the club on 631932 after 2pm.