Yellows defeated at home

IT was a second successive Saturday of disappointment for Warrington Town as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Matlock Town.

Just as in the defeat away at Scarborough seven days ago, the Yellows conceded on the stroke of half-time – Jesurun Uchebeulam riding two challenges to put the Gladiators in front, which was probably a fair reflection of the first period.

There was little in the way of a response for the Yellows and the game was put to bed 14 minutes from time when Callum Chippendale’s scuffed shot crept in at the near post.

The Yellows were unchanged from Tuesday night’s win over Atherton Collieries, with Jordan Buckley still sidelined with a hamstring injury, though new signing Jay Harris was registered in time for a place on the bench.

They were dealt a blow midway through the first half when Jack Mackreth was forced off with a hamstring injury, replaced by Dom Reid, who looked the most lively of the Yellows forwards.

At the other end, Uchebeulam and tall frontman Jerome Greaves were causing problems for the Yellows defence, and the former flashed a shot wide on 11 minutes.

Former Warrington wideman Alex Byrne put in a dangerous cross beyond Dan Atherton that was headed over by Greaves, before a typically on point Byrne corner landed at the feet of Sam Egerton in the goalmouth and he diverted the chance wide.

The deadlock was broken by Uchebeulam in the final minute of the first half, he chased down a clipped ball on the right by Byrne, rode the challenge of Matt Regan and then blocked Mark Roberts’ attempted clearance to then be free in the box and he scored past Atherton.

Although the Yellows tried to step up in the second half, they failed to create any chances of note – and Matlock looked the most likely to score, Wiles dragging a shot wide and then being denied one-on-one by Atherton after Ben Hough’s touch backwards.

But for a rising Matt Regan shot and a half chance for Reid that was spoilt by a poor first touch, there wasn’t much of a threat from the hosts and the game was done as a contest on 76 minutes when substitute Chippendale created something from nothing on the right, cutting in and scuffing a shot that managed to squeeze past Atherton at the near post.

The Yellows now have three consecutive away games – at Bamber Bridge (Monday), Kendal Town (Saturday, FA Cup) and Lancaster City (Tuesday week).

Warrington Town: Atherton, Baillie (Harris), Clarke, Duggan, Roberts, Regan, Mackreth (Reid), Hough, Amis, Dixon, Duffy (Miller). Unused subs: Grivosti, Hall

Matlock Town: Rowley, Sharman, Kendall, Egerton, Qualter, Lees, Byrne, Wiles (Wafula), J Greaves (Chippendale), Walker, Uchebeulam (Hasani). Unused subs: Hall, O Greaves.