Easter Monday's First Division North action review

By David Watters

Warrington Town took a significant step towards the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North title on Easter Monday by beating Witton Albion 4-2 at Cantilever Park, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

And with second-placed Spennymoor Town being held to a 2-2 home draw by Scarborough Athletic, the Wire`s lead at the top is now twelve points.

A crowd of 452 saw Alex Titchiner give Albion a 17th minute lead that Ciaran Kilheeney cancelled out eight minutes later from the penalty spot.

Kilheeney then gave Warrington the lead two minutes after half-time, only for Mike Wilson to pull the visitors back on terms just two minutes later. Further goals from Danny O`Donnell after 52 minutes and James McCarten seven minutes later sealed the Wire`s victory.

There were 703 at the Brewery Field to see if the Moors could keep in the title race.

And when Joe Tait after seven minutes and then Andrew Stephenson after 21 minutes took them 2-0 ahead, things looked rosy. But Scarborough fought back and a Chris Mason own goal reduced the deficit on 63 minutes and then a stoppage time penalty from Joe Lamplough earned Boro a point.

Third-placed Glossop North End eased to a 5-1 home win over Mossley AFC to move seven points clear of the sixth-placed side.

Jamie Rainford gave the Hillians an early eighth minute lead that David Young doubled from the spot on the half-hour mark. A Sam Barnes own goal reduced the arrears just before the break but Rainford went on to complete his hat-trick in the 78th and 84th minutes, the latter from the spot before Mark Reed made it a nap hand, also from the spot, in injury-time.

Clitheroe skipped above Northwich Victoria into fourth after they won 1-0 in the derby at Irongate against Bamber Bridge, courtesy of a last-gasp Louis Mayers effort, while Vics were beaten 2-1 at home by Trafford.

Dominic Smith put Trafford in front after 38 minutes and they virtually made sure of the points when Connor Martin added a second seven minutes from time, rendering Josh Amis` injury-time reply as only a consolation.

Burscough are just a point behind Northwich in sixth after winning 3-0 at Valerie Park against Prescot Cables.

Bradley Carroll broke the deadlock to give the Linnets a 49th minute lead that Will Smart after 88 minutes and then Karl Noon in stoppage time, added to.

Lancaster City are now five points behind Burscough in seventh after being held 2-2 at Parkside by Kendal Town.

The Dolly Blues raced into a fifth minute lead through Jacob Davis. Alex Newby levelled half an hour later and Charlie Bailey gave the Mintcakes a 49th minute lead before Zach Clark equalised with 17 minutes remaining.

Second-bottom Harrogate Railway Athletic pulled a point back on inactive third-bottom Ossett Town with a 1-1 Station View draw with Yorkshire neighbours Farsley Celtic.

Aiden Savory gave the visitors a 36th minute lead that Chris Ovington levelled eight minutes after half-time.

Elsewhere, two of the teams relatively safe, Droylsden and Radcliffe Borough, shared an entertaining 3-3 Butcher`s Arms draw in a `game of two halves`!

Will Hasler-Cregg with two and Jordan Bove gave the Bloods a 3-0 lead by the 64th minute. Veteran Jody Banim began the Boro fightback after 70 minutes with Chris Middleton and Elliot Rokka on target to draw the visitors level.

Ossett Albion ended a run of one win in six by beating neighbours Brighouse Town 3-1 away from home, thanks to Rob Bordman`s brace either side of the break and Abdou Bojang – Ernest Boafo`s 71st minute penalty all that the hosts could respond with.

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Where next?

Easter Monday's Premier Division action review The weather was remarkably kind to the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division on Easter Monday with only two games failing to pass inspections at Barwell and Whitby Town after Easter's arrival of Storm Katie, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Easter reverse ends Lynch reign EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Colwyn Bay have parted company with manager Kevin Lynch after their 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Marine on Easter Monday.

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