Rylands open up three-point gap at top of league

RYLANDS took advantage of their nearest rivals being involved in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday to open up a three point gap at the top of the North West Counties League Premier Division.
They extended their lead at the top with a 2-0 victory at Winsford United on in front of a bumper crowd of 217, scoring twice in the first half.
Winsford kept things tight in the opening exchanges and forced Rylands’ keeper Graeme McCall into a good save before Tom Freeman opened the scoring on the half hour mark bundling the ball home from close range following good work from Jay White. Three minutes later White added the second, superbly turning his defender to fire home from the edge of the area via the far post.
The second half continued n similar fashion to the first, with Rylands controlling possession but neither side troubling either goalkeeper. .
A superb save by Mike Langley in the Winsford goal denied Tom McNamara midway through the half while the remainder of the game passed by without any clear cut opportunities before the referee brought proceedings to an end in what was a well deserved victory on the road for Rylands..
Ryland’s manager David McNabb said: “I thought it was a very professional and resilient performance by the lads today against a very strong Winsford side. It was a bit of a scrappy game in the first 10-15 minutes but we started to grow into the game and started to play some great stuff. We got the two all-important goals and I thought we more than deserved the half time lead. Second half we expected a reaction from Winsford. We played the game out well limiting our hosts to a couple of half-chances. I’m really pleased with the character and maturity of the second-half performance.”
Rylands: 1. Graeme McCall, 2. Carl Lownsbrough (12. Alex Davies ’64), 3. Tom Freeman (14. Harry Molyneux ’81), 4. Adam Jones, 5. John Shaw, 6. Callum Lees, 7. Warren Gerrard, 8. Ste Wolhuter, 9. Jay White, 10. Tom McNamara, 11. Andy Scarisbrick (15. Liam Moran ’72).
A good weekend for Rylands also saw victories for their Under 21 team, 5-4 away at Groves in the North West Development League, and their Women’s team who won 4-2 against Upton in the Cheshire Women’s League.
Rylands goalkeeper Graeme McCall was last week named as the Reusch NWCFL Premier Division goalkeeper of the month having conceded just three goals in six games and keeping three clean sheets.
Next on the agenda for Rylands is the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round when they welcome Rossington Main to Gorsey Lane, kick off 3pm.
The Doncaster based side are 17th in the Northern Counties East Division One with four points from five games, drawing 0-0 away at Brigg Town on Saturday, Rossington beat St Helens Town 2-1 in the first qualifying round.