By Garry Clarke
A 3-0 victory over Squires Gate ensured Rylands returned home from Blackpool with more than just a stick of rock on Saturday.
The game started badly for the hosts who saw centre back Rob Parker red carded in the first minute having hauled down Lewis Buckley who was making his debut in a Rylands shirt.
Struggling at the wrong end of the league table, Squires Gate were indebted to their goalkeeper Jordan Gidley who made three great saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless at half time.
Rylands broke the deadlock twelve minutes into the second half. Ste Wolhuter finished a nice move down the left flank by slotting the ball past Gidley. Five minutes later Buckley marked his debut with a well taken goal to double Rylands advantage.
Two minutes from time Kane Drummond completed the scoring as his free kick from the edge of the area deflected off the defensive wall past Gidley.
After the game manager Dave McNabb tweeted “A gritty performance yesterday against a good and well organised Squires Gate side. Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly and the lads worked hard and showed their quality when needed”.
Seventh in the NWCFL Premier Division table, Rylands have the opportunity to close the gap on the leaders with two home games scheduled for this week.
Fifth placed Whitchurch Alport visit Gorsey Lane on Tuesday, 7.45pm kick off, followed by bottom of the table Litherland REMYCA on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
