Report: Stafford Rangers 1-1 Warrington Town

Warrington Town returned from Marston Road with a share of the spoils after they fought back to claim a 1-1 draw against Stafford Rangers in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

The Yellows had fallen behind 11 minutes into the second half when Joe Kenton poked home into an empty net following a clearance from Jay Harris on the edge of the box.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts levelled the scoring 73 minutes in, finishing off a cross at the back post from substitute Mikey Howard.

An entertaining encounter, the first half saw chances for both teams; a great ball from Jay Harris sent Buckley-Ricketts through on goal but his shot was well saved by Cameron Belford.

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Tom Tonk’s free-kick sneaked past the defensive line to skim just wide of the left post.

Just before half-time, a Josh Seary cross found Buckley-Ricketts with a free header in the box but his effort glanced wide and the teams would go into the break at 0-0.

The second half followed in a similar pattern, an end to end game saw three successive Warrington corners that were dealt with by the Stafford defense.

Belford saved another Yellows shot before setting his team on a counter-attack which forced a good save from Tony Thompson.

However, a mistake in midfield turned possession over to Stafford, finding Kaiman Anderson whose shot was blocked on the edge of the box by Jay Harris, eventually falling into the path of Joe Kenton who slotted into an empty net.

Minutes later, Buckley-Ricketts found himself through on goal again who took it past the keeper only to fire wide of the post.

Mikey Howard replaced Luke Duffy 62 minutes into the game and he turned the Yellows’ fortunes around just 10 minutes later as his cross found Buckley-Ricketts at the far post who was there to sweep home to level the score.

Amis, who came on for Stefan Mols, nearly found the winner eight minutes from time after his header rattled the crossbar from a corner.

Both teams battled to find a late goal, Dixon flashed a shot wide before Thompson was called into action with a great save but neither side could get on top and the game finished honours even.

Attention turns back to the FA Cup this weekend as the Yellows face a trip to Hyde United in the Second Qualifying Round.

Stafford Rangers: Belford, Nevin, Dunne, Baxter, Stewart, Morrison, Kenton, Tonks, Anderson, Willis, Livingstone (Kiwomya). Unused subs: Massanka, Smith, Caine, White.

Warrington Town: Thompson, Seary, White, Gumbs, Hannigan, Harris, Mols (Amis), Williams, Buckley-Ricketts, Dixon (McDonald), Duffy (Howard). Unused subs: Walker, Mfuni.