IT may surprise some that Ben Garrity tops Warrington Town’s goalscoring charts – but not manager Paul Carden.

The midfielder’s box-to-box dynamism and aerial prowess has seen him net seven times already this season – only four players in the BetVictor Northern Premier Division have scored more from open play than he has.

Following his breakthrough season in 2018-19 that saw him courted by Football League clubs, Garrity continues to build his reputation after penning a two-year deal with Yellows in the summer.

Carden says the belief Garrity plays with means there will be plenty more goals to come.

“I can see him being on 10 or 11 goals by Christmas. We’re just into November and he’s on seven,” he said.

“He gets at least one chance per game. If that carries on, there’s no reason why he can’t get into double figures and well into the teens.

“I said to him at the end of last season that if he has the same belief about him, he will score goals.

“It’s not just about him heading the ball, it’s his tackling and passing as well.

“I’ve said it before but he’s a throwback.

“He’s not a holding midfielder or a number 10 – he’s something that academies don’t seem to be producing in that he’s all-action.

“There’s little bits of his game he can improve but he ticks a lot of boxes.”

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Garrity celebrates scoring against Matlock Town last month. Picture by John Hopkins

Garrity’s latest goal came during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Hyde United – Yellows’ first home victory since August.

They aim to make it back-to-back wins at Cantilever Park when they host Stafford Rangers – the division’s bottom side – on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Due to their early exits from this season’s FA Trophy, neither side had a game scheduled for this weekend so rearranged the fixture that had to be postponed in September due to FA Cup replays.

“It makes sense to play the game as we knew it would be coming anyway,” Carden said.

“We’d rather get the game played than have the weekend off and play it in midweek sometime.”

Scott Sephton has recovered earlier than expected from a calf injury and was as an unused substitute against Hyde.

Louis Barnes (hamstring) is nearing a return but Dylan Vassallo (knee) looks set to miss out alongside long-term absentees Josh Amis (foot) and Jack Dunn (knee).

“The plan was for Scott Sephton to do the warm-up on Saturday and then train this week, but he looked strong so I put him on the bench,” Carden said.

“Louis Barnes should train this week so hopefully he’s not too far away.”