Dimaio completes Wire turnaround

FOUR days ahead of the headline-grabbing FA Cup heroics at Yeovil, the Hatters began their Cheshire Senior Cup campaign successfully, after edging past Northern Premier League Warrington Town 2-1 at Cantilever Park.

It was a creditable performance by a young County side that featured no fewer than seven Academy members or graduates currently holding dual registrations with Stockport Town and plying their regular trade in the North West Counties League First Division – three tiers below that of the hosting ‘Wire.’

The Hatters were placed under pressure on the right flank from the outset. And although Downing cleared upfield a low cross from Dylan Vassallo in the first minute, the same home midfielder’s second, more lofted, delivery three minutes later found former County striker Josh Amis who headed home, unmarked, from close range.

After 18 minutes, the Hatters not only earned their first corner of the evening but also got themselves back on level terms. Will Holt’s delivery from the right was met by Festus Arthur, who converted with a powerful header.

Warrington dominated the corner-count, if not overall possession, after the break - forcing half a dozen corners within 20 minutes of the re-start, but creating little by way of attempts, other than a Roberts shot that cleared the County crossbar by some distance.

Worse still for the hosts, their ranks were reduced with 23 minutes left on the clock - when Dom Reid limped off and, with all three substitutes already in play, could not be replaced.

Immediately following this, and the Wire’s sixth corner, County proceeded up the other end and went ahead - courtesy of a sublime curling shot by Conor Dimaio from just inside the box.