All square as Warrington and Colls share the spoils

David Chadwick’s lads went into this game buoyed after picking up their first three points of the season in a 2-0 win against Bradford Park Avenue.

Likewise, Warrington had a spring in their step following an opening-day disaster - a 2-0 win away at Stafford Rangers putting a smile on former Colls manager Michael Clegg’s face.

The predicted rain held off and the Atherton sun shone down on the black and white stripes.

And they took the lead on 23 minutes. Forward Lewis Mansell, who joined the Collieries over the summer, curled an effort squared to him into the back of the net to register his first goal wearing the famous Colls jersey.

And it was so nearly two 10 minutes later. Jordan Scanlon was through on goal with Mansell to the left of him. Scanlon, young and energetic, opted to have a pop at goal himself and was denied by a smart Luke Piling save.

But the visitors were level three minutes before the break through James Baillie.

The second period of the game was just as thrilling as the first as chances came and went for both sides.

Scanlon, again, had a chance to make it two for the Colls, but his effort was high when one on one with Pilling.

Rylands, on the other hand, were frustrated as shot after shot was met by the hands of Nico Defreitas-Hansen. The American stopper was resolved in his efforts in keeping Cleggy’s Blues from taking three points.

At the end of the 90 minutes, both sets of fans could breathe a sigh of relief.

It could have been, and almost was, anyone’s game.

In his post-match interview, Colls boss Chadwick highlighted his team’s tenacity throughout the game.

This is a squad Chadwick and co have assembled from nothing remember, only playing their third competitive game of football together this weekend.

Tomorrow night will be their fourth, as Colls make the journey to Matlock Town.