Unhappy start to New Year for Rylands

BY GARRY CLARKE
RYLANDS started 2020 as they ended 2019 – suffering a single goal defeat. 
Having ended the old year with a 1-2 loss at league leaders 1874 Northwich, Rylands slipped to a 0-1 defeat at Gorsey Lane on Saturday against mid table Barnoldswick Town, the visitors scoring in the 4th minute through Andrew Hill.
Rylands rallied after conceding from a corner with the Blues going close to leveling the scores on several occasions without finding a way through the visiting defence, while Callum Spencer in the Rylands goal was required to make a number of good saves.
Barnoldswick’s goalkeeper saved a last minute penalty from Louis Coyne after Kane Drummond had been brought down.
A disappointed manager Dave McNabb said: “Far and away the worst performance from this team since I’ve been here. Embarrassing performance. Apologies to the fans who have come and supported us Take nothing away from Barlick, they worked harder than us and fully deserved their win.”
The game was preceded by a minutes silence in memory of former Rylands manager Harry “Joe” Rudge who died recently.
One of the club’s most successful managers Rudge twice guided Rylands to the Mid-Cheshire League title in the 1980s and  Paul Stretford, club benefactor and one of Joe’s players throughout his time in charge said; “It is very sad to learn of Joe’s death. The team Joe put together was one of the best in the club’s history; the players would run through a brick wall for him. Joe was both loved and respected by all his players.
“. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences as a club on behalf of the players, management and staff are with his wife Edna, children Debbie, Andrew and Helen”.
In search of their first win of the New Year, occupying fifth place in the league table ,Rylands have two away NWCFL Premier Division games scheduled for the coming week. They make the short trip to Irlam tomorrow ((Tuesday) kick off 7.45pm, to face a team one place and one point below them in the table.
On Saturday they travel to second placed Charnock Richard, who are nine points ahead of Rylands but have played five games more, kick off 3pm.