Warrington Town 1 Mickleover Sports 0

RUBEN Jerome struck again for Warrington Town as they jumped into the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off places with victory over Mickleover.

The striker’s goal midway through the second half at Cantilever Park was his fifth goal in as many games and earned Yellows their fifth victory in six league outings.

Paul Carden’s side flew out of the traps in the first half, with wingers Michael Monaghan and Scott Harries finding particular joy down in behind the Mickleover defence.

Sean Williams bent a free-kick straight at visiting keeper Nick Draper, while Connor McCarthy was unfortunate to see his turn and shot bobble just wide.

The visitors weren’t without chances, with Kevin Grocott shooting straight at Yellows stopper Tony McMillan, but the home defence went largely untroubled.

Jerome fired into the side netting after a corner was flicked into his path as the half ended goalless, and Carden summoned Dylan Vassallo from the bench for the second period.

He made an immediate impact as Mickleover struggled to deal with his mesmeric dribbling ability.

Monaghan forced a superb save from Draper, while McCarthy cleared the bar with an effort as Town’s pressure started to build.

Vassallo teased his way down the right again and saw his cross deflected narrowly over his own bar by Mickleover skipper Tom Burgin, while McMillan was forced into a sharp save from Kuda Muskwe’s low effort.

However, Yellows got the goal their play deserved when Vassallo got to the byline and his low cross was tapped in at the far post by Jerome.

There was one moment of alarm for Town when the already-booked Danny Ventre ploughed through John McGrath, but referee Thomas Parsons ignored Mickleover’s calls for the midfielder to be sent off.

Mickleover had more possession as they pushed for an equaliser but the Yellows defence, marshalled expertly by skipper Jay McCarten on his 200th appearance for the club, never gave them a sniff of goal.

If anything, Town’s margin of victory should have been greater as Josh Askew smashed a shot wide before Dan Hattersley’s pass released Jerome for a clear run at Draper, but the keeper got a hand to the ball as the striker tried to take it round him.

Nevertheless, it was a well-merited victory for Town, who move up to fifth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division ahead of Saturday’s home game with Frickley Athletic, kick off 3pm.

Warrington Town: McMillan, A Carden (Vassallo), Askew, Williams, McCarten, Gumbs, Monaghan, Ventre (Smart), McCarthy (Hattersley), Jerome, Harries. Subs not used: Codling, Shaw.