MARK Beesley hailed the performance of his Warrington Town side following their stunning play-off semi-final victory.

A swashbuckling first-half display saw Yellows blow opponents Matlock Town away and lead 4-0 at a raucous Cantilever Park.

Town had chances to stretch their lead after the break but settled for a highly impressive 4-1 victory to reach the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off final for the third completed season in a row.

“It was outstanding, wasn’t it,” Beesley said, referencing his side’s performance.

“To a man, we were unplayable at times but even at 4-0 at half time, we were a little disappointed as it could have been six or seven!

“The finishing was outstanding, as was the movement into space.

“We spoke about a game plan and they carried it out to a tee.

“We had that calmness in midfield – we knew where we could try and hurt them and that was getting the ball wide to our wide players.

“We had a great platform up front and countered really well. We had a good shape and at times, we looked really, really good.”

Once Luke Duffy had put Town into a 12th-minute lead, the hosts looked back as they blitzed their hosts with rapier-like movement in attack.

Duffy ended with two goals and an assist for Bohan Dixon, with Connor Woods putting the massed Town supporters into dreamland with a fourth goal just before half time.

Beesley was full of praise for man of the match Duffy’s showing as he tormented the Gladiators rearguard throughout.

“He’s been getting better and better and better,” he said.

“We all know what he’s got but he missed a year with Covid when he was just joining us.

“His growth and development this year has been outstanding – he’s infectious around the place and when he gets the ball, everyone gets off their seat as he’s got that bit of magic.”

Understandably, the second half was a much quieter affair but Matlock were indebted to goalkeeper Saul Deeney for keeping the scoreline down with several excellent saves, including two to deny Duffy a hat-trick.

They even left with a consolation goal thanks to Bradley Abbott’s stunning late volley, but Beesley was happy with how his side managed the game after half time.

“You can never switch off in football as it will come back to bite you,” he said.

“We just wanted to keep doing what we were doing, keep our shape and not rush things.

“As the game went on, we knew we’d get chances and that’s what happened – their keeper made four or five really good saves.

“Their goal is a great goal – I’m not sure anyone could have done anything about it. We want to improve, get better and make sure we’re doing everything right.

“It’s about driving things forward whether you’re 4-0 up or 1-0 down, you have to keep striving to improve.”