PAUL Carden says patience was the key to Warrington Town’s victory over Grantham Town on Saturday.

Yellows were frustrated by several good saves from Gingerbreads keeper Jordan Wright in the first half as they went into the break goalless, but Josh Amis struck twice within five minutes of the restart to settle any nerves.

Amis went onto complete his hat-trick as Town moved above Farsley Celtic and into second place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division on goal difference.

READ > How a perfect hat-trick helped Yellows to victory

Carden says the visitors played exactly how he expected them to but the work done in training meant they were ready for them.

He also revealed what he said at half time so inspire such a fast start to the second half, with Amis’ first goal coming within the first 60 seconds.

“We were strong,” he said.

“We try and get as many teams watched as we can and we had a report on Grantham that was pretty much bob on.

“When we did our prep work, we went a certain way which we thought would work and it did. Josh getting a hat-trick was the cherry on the icing.

“They sat deep and looked to frustrate us with two banks of four, but we started quite brightly.

“To be honest, if we’d have gone in at half time two or three goals up we wouldn’t have got lucky.

“My words at half time were not to be impatient. If we went away from it and started forcing things, they would have been happy.

“They wanted us to lose a bit of composure so they could capitalise on a mistake.

“For us to go two goals up so early on in the second half did really help and we probably should have finished the game with more than three goals.”

Warrington Guardian:

Josh Amis glances home Town's opening goal. Picture by John Hopkins

Amis’ treble took his goals tally for the season to eight in all competitions, including five since the turn of the year.

Carden says the big striker is now teaming hard work with improved fitness and stamina and is starting to see the results.

“I’m made up for Josh. We brought him in in the summer as a major signing for us – a kind of focal point,” he said.

“His determination is there for everybody to see but now he’s backing it up with fitness, stamina and strength.

“He’s lost more weight. He looks ripped and lean now.

“It didn’t happen early on for different reasons that he acknowledges, but he’s really grabbed the bull by the horns.”

Warrington Guardian:

Amis celebrates completing his hat-trick. Picture by John Hopkins

Things were not all rosy for Town after Jack Mackreth was forced off just five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The winger is due to find out the full extent of his facial injury today.

“The only sour point was Jack. We’re just waiting on the extent of his injury but it would be disappointing to lose him.

“We had the idea of giving him a bit of a breather and giving Dom (Reid) a chance.

“For him to come on with 10 minutes left and go off five minutes later was really disappointing.”