Like a clunky old car trying to start in the cold, Warren Central took some time to warm up Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the Vikings, the engine took just a little too long to crank.

Plagued by near misses and unconverted opportunities, Warren Central lost 2-1 to Clinton at Viking Stadium and likely surrendered the Division 4-6A championship to the Arrows.

Warren Central (12-4-2, 1-1 Division 4-6A) stumbled out of the gate, giving up a goal to Clinton (9-7-2, 1-0) just two minutes into the match that relinquished control of the game to the Arrows before some fans had even settled down in their seats.

“That first half we came out here and we played almost scared and timid because it’s a big team. We just didn’t hold our composure,” Warren Central coach Greg Head said. “We didn’t play with the confidence we’ve had in the past week or so.”

The team’s collective tepidness contributed to another goal in the 15th minute, and all signs pointed to a Clinton rout. But the Vikings were able to collect themselves and rebound, setting up a barrage of scoring opportunities in the first half that just couldn’t find the back of the net.

Soon after the Arrows’ second goal, Nick Wright sent a perfect through ball to Braylen Greer, who rocketed a shot off the post and out of play. In the waning minutes of the first half, Wright drilled a free kick just outside the box that was saved by Clinton’s keeper.

“We went in at halftime and had a good talk. I said guys, you can play with this team,” Head said. “You’ve just got to play with confidence.”

The talk seemed to work, as the Vikings were able to slow things down and better control possession in the second half.

After barely missing the goal on a header, Max Wamsley connected on a volley over the keeper’s head to cut Clinton’s lead in half. Wamsley’s goal gave the Vikings a needed spark, but it was not enough to hoist them to victory.

“That first goal shouldn’t have happened, but it wasn’t a bad goal,” Head said. “That second one, it was a backbreaker.”

Clinton still has two division games left, against Murrah and Greenville, but seemed to clear its toughest hurdle for the division title by beating Warren Central.

Warren Central can still clinch a playoff berth by winning on the road Thursday at Greenville. It’s a goal Head and his team are eager to achieve as the regular season winds down.

“We don’t ever take them lightly because they always have a bunch of good athletes, so we’re going to be ready for them,” Head said. “We’ve got the playoffs in a couple of weeks, but we’re going to get through Greenville first.”

(G) Clinton 5, Warren Central 2

The Lady Vikes were unable to take control of Region 4-6A Tuesday as they fell at home to Clinton.

Drew Barnes scored a goal off an assist by Kylee Burke, and Macy-Claire Joseph also notched a goal, but it was not enough to bring home the win.

“We were playing really good in the first half. It was 3-1 at the half,” Warren Central coach Viktoria Case said. “We kept them contained for a good 25 minutes before they scored and we scored right back.”

Warren Central goes on the road to face Greenville Thursday, with a win putting the Lady Vikes in the playoffs.

“It was little errors here or there,” Case said. “Otherwise I thought we contained them pretty well for a majority of the time.”