Report: Warrington Town 2-3 Accrington Stanley

Warrington Town and Accrington Stanley played out an entertaining pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, with the League Two side edging a five-goal thriller at Cantilever Park.

Following wins against Prescot Cables and City of Liverpool, Mark Beesley’s squad stepped up preparations for the 2023/24 campaign with a tough test against Football League opposition.

Stanley started quickly and hit the front two minutes in as Trialist A’s cutback was tucked away well by Trialist B.

The Yellows’ response was quick though, and they managed to turn the game around with two goals in three minutes.

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Luke Duffy twisted and turned his way through the Stanley defence before powering home a superb left-footed finish beyond Liam Isherwood to level matters.

Dan Atherton had to be alert at his near post to stop Matt Lowe firing the visitors back in front, and soon after, it was Town who led thanks to a low finish from Connor Woods, his first goal of pre-season.

With 20 minutes gone, the goals kept coming as Trialist B prodded Stanley level after a corner was headed into his path.

An entertaining first half continued, with Josh Amis, Duffy and Andy White all going close, while Bohan Dixon was thwarted by the Stanley goalkeeper and then the outside of the post as he looked to clip a ball into the danger area.

With 44 minutes gone, Trialist B completed his hat-trick for the visitors, finishing from close range after the Yellows failed to clear their lines from a cross.

The second half was a much quieter affair on the goal front but was evenly-contested nonetheless.

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Matty McDonald threatened on multiple occasions and saw a lobbed effort cleared off the line by a Stanley defender four minutes after the break, and Isherwood needed to be alert to keep out Sean Williams’ free-kick.

With an hour gone, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts almost made an immediate impact from the bench. Having latched onto Williams’ ball over the top, he was unable to equalise after being closed down well by the Stanley goalkeeper.

The Yellows have one more home friendly to come ahead of the National League North season, against Morecambe on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Warrington Town: Atherton, Duggan, White, Trialist A, Gumbs, McDonald, Woods, Williams, Amis, Dixon, Duffy

Subs used: Warren, McNally, Trialist C, Trialist D, Buckley

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