> Banana skin dodged

GIVEN how familiar the players and coaches of Marine and Warrington Town are with each other, this game was always going to be tasty.

A physical edge was inevitable, and that was prevalent throughout the first half.

However, Yellows must be credited for standing up to everything thrown at them. They earned the right to play football.

It was as if they were allowing Marine to tire themselves out and take over once their energy levels dropped.

That showed in the final 20 minutes as Town played more expansively.

Despite Marine’s league position, this was certainly a banana skin and one Warrington did well to avoid.

READ > Marine 0 Yellows 2 - The Verdict

Tony Gray nods in Town's second goal. Picture by John Hopkins

> A system that suits them

TOWN have gone through much of this season playing in a 4-4-2 shape, but the past two games have seen them adopt a slight alteration.

Their wingers are tucking in – giving the full-backs more influence and space going forward – while Tony Gray is making a more concerted effort to stay as high as possible as the focal point of the attack to occupy centre-halves.

For the moment at least, it appears to be suiting them.

Certainly given Marine’s narrow pitch and the home side’s even narrower midfield diamond formation allowed Mitch Duggan and Adam Hughes room to bomb forward.

Credit must go to Ben Garrity and Robbie Evans in central midfield, also.

Marine’s system was designed to overwhelm them, but they remained disciplined and dealt with everything that came their way.

READ > Paul Carden's post-match reaction

Ben Garrity and midfield partner Robbie Evans were disciplined. Picture by John Hopkins

> Dixon continues to shine

ONE person who seems to have benefitted most from the slight change of shape is Bohan Dixon.

He is occupying a deeper, free role in behind Tony Gray rather than being part of a conventional front two.

The shackles have been taken off and it is allowing his mercurial talents to shine.

As Paul Carden said post-match, when he adds a high work rate to his undoubted ability and athleticism, he can be close to unstoppable.

His form over the past two games has been superb, and his goal was a true demonstration of what he can bring to the side.

The challenge for him now, is keeping it up.

Bohan Dixon's goal capped another excellent display. Picture by John Hopkins

> Return to clean sheets

DEFENSIVE strength has been the bedrock upon which Yellows’ promotion challenge has been built this season.

They still comfortably boast the league’s best defensive record having conceded only nine goals, but remarkably, this was their first clean sheet for four league games.

Aside from a couple of scary moments, Town never really looked like conceding on Saturday.

Their new system can at times leave them open at the back, but Mark Roberts and Dave Raven once again marshalled things superbly.

With a young goalkeeper behind them in the shape of Charlie Albinson, the calming presence of the experienced duo will do the Blackburn loanee’s confidence the world of good.

Warrington Town kept their first clean sheet in a month on Saturday. Picture by John Hopkins

> Clicking into gear?

WHILE it may only be back-to-back wins and three games unbeaten as a whole, things are certainly moving in the right direction.

Furthermore, they are just starting to show signs that they are getting back to their best form.

Bottom side North Ferriby United – a side they beat 5-0 back in September – are the visitors to Cantilever Park on Saturday and while nothing is a given in this division, Paul Carden will be extremely disappointed with anything less than three points.

That will be their final game before the Christmas period begins in earnest, with Workington’s FA Trophy progress forcing Town’s trip to Cumbria on December 15 to be rescheduled.

The value of entering a period of four games in 10 days on the back of three straight wins cannot be underestimated.

Town have now won back-to-back games. Picture by John Hopkins