Goole AFC 1 Warrington Town 2

WARRINGTON Town got back to winning ways after an enforced three-week weather break with a disjointed 2-1 victory against lowly Goole at a windswept Victoria Pleasure Ground.

Manager Shaun Reid handed a debut to prolific striker Josh Hine, signed from league rivals Skelmersdale, and Ben Say, who recently signed a permanent deal having earlier been on loan from former club Stockport County.

On a poor surface it was the home side who had the first chance, striker Bill Law played through only to see his shot hit the side netting when well placed.

After this early let off Town began to control the game, centre half James McCarten watching his goalbound header deflected wide by the home rearguard.

Town had a great chance to open the scoring in the seventh minute, Goole keeper Lee Appleby dropping a cross at full length, only for the waiting Ciaran Kilheeney to shoot into the side netting.

However, Town did hit the front in the ninth minute when John Miles' excellent cross was finished on the swivel by debutant Hine from 10 yards.

Kilheeney went close shortly afterwards, shooting narrowly wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

The home side looked dangerous in patches and two chances in three minutes illustrated this, first winger James Booker headed over a teasing free kick before striker Aidan Savory shot over when well placed in the penalty area.

On the half hour Goole spurned their best chance to equalise, Town goalkeeper Andy Robertson dropping an innocuous looking cross at the feet of Savory, who saw his effort cleared off the line by McCarten.

The half time interval saw substitute Phil Doran replace Ben Say at left back, meaning Phil Davies switched to the right.

The visitors continued to have the best of the game early in the second half, with Hine shooting over from an angle before Kilheeney's pull-back for Miles resulted in a shot saved by Appleby.

Just after the hour Goole went close to equalising, a rare mix-up in the Town rearguard presenting Savory with the ball only for Robertson to save well.

A number of substitutions for both teams ended any flow to the game, and, as so often happens when a team does not kill off a game, the team who had been under pressure equalised.

A free kick into the box was headed home in the bottom corner by Savory, to drag Goole level.

But within two minutes Town restored their lead, a long clearance from Robertson being reached by Kilheeney ahead of the advancing Appleby to result in a deserved winner for the guests.

Town: Robertson, Say (Doran, 46), Davies, Mooney, Doran (c), McCarten, Miles (Newby, 61), McLachlan Ruane, 72), Kilheeney, Josh Hine (d), Lee Parle.