Report: Warrington Town 0-2 Oxford City

Two first half goals ensured Paul Carden’s home return to Warrington Town ended in defeat to Oxford City.

Tom Scott and Zac McEachran tidily finished for the visitors inside the first 15 minutes on an uninspiring afternoon in the Yellows’ first home game for a month.

Scott latched on to a ball in to the right channel and struck low across Dan Atherton from almost nothing on seven minutes, and then after good play by Corie Andrews, McEachran arrived at the perfect time to meet his pull-back and a steer a low right-foot shot in to the same corner.

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It could have been three when Reece Fleet steered Lewis Coyle’s ball goalwards and Atherton got down smartly to save.

Connor Woods was the only real source of threat for the Yellows, and one of his trademark runs and shots saw a superb clearance off the line by Aaron Drewe.

Hamish Douglas had to clear off the line at the other end from Coyle, before the Yellows ended the first half with a flourish.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle was out quickly to smother a shot from Woods after a weaving run by Jay Harris, and then two Josh Miles headers fell wide off dangerous Woods crosses.

There wasn’t much change to the pattern in the game in the second half, and the visitors again could have made it three on 69 minutes when Evan Gumbs twice had to clear off the line to deny McEachran and Jayden Carbon.

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The final quarter of the game was played almost exclusively in the Oxford City half as the Yellows tried to pile on the pressure, though numerous set-pieces failed to create anything clear cut until late on.

Woods was denied by McKenzie-Lyle with a rasping shot at his near post, and in injury time, Peter Clarke headed against the bar on his return to action after Matty McDonald stood it for him at the back post.

The Yellows return to action on Tuesday night at home to Hereford.

Post-match reaction

Manager Paul Carden reflects on Saturday's home defeat.

Match facts

Warrington Town: Atherton, White, Gumbs, Harris, Woods, McDonald, Rodwell-Grant, Bennett (Southern 60), Dixon (Amis 60), Douglas, Miles (Clarke 60). Unused subs: O’Neill, Amaral.

Oxford City: McKenzie-Lyle, Ezennolim (Kpekawa 76), Ashby, Jones, Coyle (Jacob 85), Fleet, Andrews (Walsh 90), McEachran (Potter 71), Scott, Carbon (Burley 80), Drewe.

Goals: Scott (7), McEachran (15)

Yellow cards: Southern (70) / Fleet (36), Andrews (81)

Attendance: 906

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