by Garry Clarke
RYLANDS FC ended their historic 2018/19 campaign by securing a second piece of silverware on Tuesday.
Already crowned North West Counties League First Division South champions the Blues defeated their North Division counterparts Longridge Town 3-0 at AFC Darwen’s ground to lift the First Division Champions Cup.
Becoming the first ever winners of the Cup Rylands built a two goal lead inside the opening 24 minutes with goals from Stephen Wolhuter and Stuart Wellstead, and after Tom McNamara added a third goal 17 minutes from time.
Rylands FC had completed their 2018/19 league campaign, their first in the Hallmark Security League, with a 2-0 home win against Sandbach United last Saturday.
A game played in atrocious conditions at Gorsey Lane saw Rylands take the lead two minutes into the second period when Tom Freeman scored from a tight angle. Their second came in the 78th minute when a 35 yard shot from Steve Boothman went in off the underside of the cross bar.
After the game joint manager Dave McNabb commented “Great to finish with a win, brilliant performance in awful conditions”.
🏆 @nwcfl First Division Champions Cup Winners!
🔴 @LongridgeTownFC 0 v 3 Rylands 🔵 pic.twitter.com/DkfvL8yrno
— Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 30, 2019
