By Jack Danby
Reece Jones and Louis Dodds were on target as Hanley Town beat Racing Club Warwick to go top of the Midland Premier Division on Tuesday night.
Jones gave Hanley a 42nd minute lead when his run through the middle was matched by a pin-point ball from Tim Sanders, and he slotted his effort into the bottom corner.
In the 67th minute Dodds doubled that lead as his high press nicked the ball from Warwick’s defence, before he proceeded to bend his shot beyond the ‘keeper.
Hanley lost out on their clean sheet five minutes from time, after the referee awarded the hosts a dubious penalty following a challenge from Carl Dickinson.
Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin prevented his side from falling behind early in the game, he got down well to deny his opponent in a one-on-one situation.
Hanley then grew into the game and created a flood of chances, first with Chris Dagnall when he forced the ‘keeper to save with his feet in the 37th minute.
Dagnall then had a trio of attempts at goal just before the break, where Warwick’s ‘keeper made two important saves and a defender headed a chance off the line.
Dodds also had a couple of efforts in a matter of minutes before his goal, with both strikes going the wrong side of the post.
Player-manager Dickinson told the Club’s media that despite being pleased at going top of the league, he knows not to lose focus there.
He said: “I am delighted that we are top of the league, that is where I want us to be. But it is still early days, and we have a lot of work to do if we want to pull away from certain teams.”
Hanley are next in action on Saturday, they make the long trip to Boston Town as their FA Vase campaign begins.