2pm 22 February 2026
North West Under 21 Development League, Premier Division
Warrington Town U21 5 Avro U21 1 (att 28)
This was my first experience of the North West Under 21 Development League, but I was tempted by the fact that, unlike most teams in its three divisions, Warrington use a different venue to their first team.
They're also top of the premier division and, as far as I know, don't currently have an 'official' reserve side, thus making their under 21s their second most senior men's team.
As table toppers they were always going to be favourites against Avro, who do have a reserve team playing in the Manchester League. The home side's task looked even easier at kick off as the visitors only had 10 players.
Two goals in the first quarter of the game suggested it was going to be comfortable if low-key Warrington win. But they eased up a bit too much and Avro pulled a goal back before half time.
Warrington were consistently thwarted by Avro's disciplined offside trap. Their afternoon grew more frustrating in the 58th minute when their keeper was sent off for handling the ball outside the box and denying a goalscoring opportunity.
But parity in player numbers didn't lead to parity of scoreline. Just four minutes later Warrington extended their lead to 3-1, and two more goals followed as Avro tired while the hosts had the luxury of using rolling substitutions to rest tired legs.
Warrington Town's under 21 side play home games on a 3G pitch at the Cardinal Newman Football Hub, which has been developed as part of Cardinal Newman Catholic High School. A spectator area runs most of the length of one side.
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