Match Report

25th January 2000 - Warrington Town 2 - 0 Blackpool Mechanics

A report kindly provided by Harry:

A rearranged Town side due to work commitments met a rejuvenated Mechanics side unbeaten under their new management team. Once again Town pressurised the opposition but didn't convert into goals in the first half. After half time Town finally took control of the score line when a goalmouth scramble saw Gavin McDonald hit the back of the net from six yards. On 83 minutes Ian Callaghan hit one of his blockbusters from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0. Altogether a pleasing result against a very much improved Mechanics team.

Harry Boden

- Warrington Guardian report:

BLAIR ORCHESTRATES WIN FROM THE BACK

TOWN manager Alan Blair played his first full game of the season after finding out an hour before Tuesday's kick-off that he was short of central defenders. Neither Mike Tandy nor Mark Ashton were available for the game and new boy Neil Davies pulled out late on but there was no need to panic as 37-year-old Blair linked in well at the back as the team recorded a rare home win.

Town, who have only lost twice on their travels this season, have struggled to put form together at home but this was a superb result against a Mechanics side which has not been beaten since its squad was boosted by an influx of eight former Fleetwood Freeport players. Another player who has not been a Town regular, Gavin McDonald, put his side on the way to victory with a 68th minute strike. Robbie Preidt had crashed a low shot into a crowded penalty area but McDonald blocked the ball and then shot past stranded goalkeeper Thomas Baldwin.

The game was killed off a minute before full time when chief playmaker Ian Callaghan picked up a lay-off from Kevin Tyrell and smashed the ball home from 25 metres. Highlights of the game included striker Neil Holden using his pace to great affect in the second half and sweeper Andy Tague tidying up everything at the back throughout the 90 minutes.

Town: Neil McCormack, Andy Tague, Steve Cartledge, Ian Callaghan, Alan Blair, Gavin McDonald, Kevin Tyrell, Dave Pick, Neil Holden, Robbie Preidt, Neil Morgan. Subs not used: Jed Bushell, Andy Barr, Paul Hives.