FULL REPORT: A sobering FA Trophy exit for Warrington Town

WARRINGTON Town crashed out of the FA Trophy as they were beaten 3-0 away at Southport.

Luke Burgess scored a first-half brace to put the hosts in to a lead they fully deserved and Sonny Hilton added a third in a largely uneventful second half.

It was another sobering afternoon for the struggling Yellows, who have now gone five matches without scoring a goal and never really looked like getting one in this match.

Southport controlled the game from the off playing three at the back, and midfielder David Morgan was popping up everywhere, having no fewer than four efforts at goal himself as they asked plenty of early questions.

The opening goal on 13 minutes was completely avoidable from a Yellows point of view, with Dan Atherton and Peter Clarke getting in each other’s way dealing with a Jack Doyle cross to present a tap-in for Burgess.

The second goal was reflective of the control Southport had on the game – the excellent Josh Williams was afforded too much space in midfield and he slid a ball right for Morgan, who put it on a plate for Burgess to finish eight yards out.

Only a good save by Atherton prevented a third on the stroke of half time, with Marcus Carver’s improvised backheel kept out before Williams blazed over.

The second half was lifeless with Southport more than content with their position and the Yellows with nothing really in their armoury to force the issue.

Hilton rubbed salt in the wounds 10 minutes from time, left in space in the box and he drilled a low shot past Atherton.

Warrington Town: Atherton, Douglas, Gumbs, Woods, McDonald, Rodwell-Grant, Bennett, Dixon (O’Neill), Halford (Amaral), Miles, Clarke. Subs not used: Amis, Gill, Southern.