Blankety Blank

No cheque book and pen for this home display,in what would be a beat the keeper competition. An outstanding display of goalkeeping from Warrington Towns Richard Mottram was to be appreciated by the home crowd but not welcomed. The two clubs both formed in 1949 start the game second and third bottom of the league both sides only scoring 27 in the campaign so far. A lowly crowd of117 saw Phil Priestley the first keeper in action when he spread himself well to block the shot of Phil Howard who latched on to a ball over the shoulder of Si Kelly. The number ten of Boro brings a save from Mottram quickly after , the trademark flick by Roscoe setting him up. The game show is set with forwards and defenders all about to gamble. Mark Jones flys on to a loose ball that gets a bobble to see his shot high over the bar, with the crowd shouting "lower, lower" . Town are on the edge of Priestleys box but only offer a weak shot. A central misunderstanding by the visitors lets Mark Drew in to shoot but only wide when well placed. Tom Rutter working the flank is quick to get forward and his cross just wont land for Roscoe. Owen Roberts picks out Roscoe on the inside left channel, Roscoe digs the ball out to create space under a strong challenge, the ref plays on as the ball runs for Mark Jones whos shot from range is easy for the keeper. The visitors keeper is about to start frustrating the home side as he dives low to his left to save from Griff Jones via Roberts. The corner from Roberts drifts over the heads of Roscoe and Jones. Dawson is next to try on 22 minutes with a fine glancing header supplied by the free kick of Roberts , Kelly keeps the ball moving after the keepers save but the chance goes. Phil Hadland in the boro half finds space to cross Priestley reads it well and smothers on his six yard line. Mark Drew is not alive to the ball coming back and the floated ball is met well by Chris Gahan but he can only steer it wide. Priestleys kick is headed on to Roscoe who confidently hits it first time but watches it go high and wide. Boro continue to play controlled football hoping the opportunity will come, Dawson spots the run of Sampson but its too long. Roscoe and Griff Jones combine to allow Griff Jones to shoot just over the bar from 20 yard out. Roscoe fizzes a ball to Drew who shoots on sight and with the ball travelling at speed it passes Griff Jones before going out. A moment of its a knockout off the ball sees Roberts on the floor the ref books Hadland, what for? Phone lines are open! Just as the half ends Howard sets off on a run before picking out Hadland , he picks his spot to shoot across Priestley and into the net for 1-0. The ref blows and after asking the audience, i phone a friend to find out how can we be behind!

The second half sees no changes during the break , Town start first with the run of Howard who is fouled the free kick is wasted and cleared easily. Good work by Drew and Sampson keeps the pressure on Warrington . The hour approaches quickly and the game needs somebody to put a foot on it . Drew does just that and shapes well to shoot and bring a great save from the keeper. The corner is met by the thumping header of Dawson and again a fine fingertip save gets the ball to just go over. Same corner with Dawson again meeting well but steering poorly past the post. Boro push with little response from the team from Warrington. A series of free kicks only manage to hit the well held wall. Boro start to fail passes as the chances are not coming as they should with the amount of ball seen by the team in blue. Howard remains the only sniff of danger for the visitors. Boro find their feet again and when Roscoe flicks to Griff Jones he as Drew in space to dispatch a great shot matched by a great save once again. The resulting corner is met well and hits the line between the defenders feet and is cleared to Griff Jones who finds space to shoot, the block goes to Mark Jones his shot is saved close to the post and out. Dutton replaces McCarthy for the visitors and Howson is on for Sampson as Boro look to level. Mark Drew hopes the ref "plays his cards right" as he reacts to a poor challenge , the ref does and gives him a yellow. Boro knock on the door but just cant get it open before the final whistle arrives. The crowd leave wondering how we are going to put players on the score sheet. The crowd spent some time late on asking for Howson to be introduced and yes he is a goalscorer but the performance of the team is good, chances are being created , individuals are working hard, whats the answer?

The Krypton factor would be easier to win than our home games,

emails to weneedtowinagame@staintonpark.com.

Paul.