by Garry Clarke
IT was a week of mixed fortunes for Rylands FC, as they won one game and lost another both against fellow promotion chasers at the top of the NWCFL Premier Division.
After two losses and a draw from the previous three games, Rylands came from behind to secure their first win of the new decade on Tuesday winning 2-1 at Irlam with a display which had a delighted manager, Dave McNabb tweeting “what a performance and win that was!”.
The home side took the lead against the run of play in the ninth minute when a counter attack resulted in Dylan Meredith’s cross wrong footed everyone in the middle nestling in the corner of the net.
Rylands leveled the score in the 67th minute, Gary Kenny, chipped the ball over the defenders for Tom McNamara to chase and coolly slotting the ball home. In the 86th minute Kane Drummond celebrated being named NWCFL Player of the Month for December by netting the winner after an incisive through ball found him, calmly beating his man; he rounded the keeper to put the ball away.
Visiting second placed Charnock Richard on Saturday Rylands looked the better team for much of the second half creating numerous chances without converting any of them. The hosts who themselves had goal scoring opportunities on the first half hit Rylands with a triple whammy in the second half scoring three goals in a nine minute spell. Ste Wolhuter netted a late consolation for Rylands.
After the 3-1 loss McNabb commented: “We played really well first half, played some good stuff and should have gone in at the break with the lead. We’ve given away three sloppy goals in an 8-minute spell at the beginning of the second half and you just can’t do that against a side as strong as Charnock. We did come back into the game towards the end but it was too little too late. We’ll regroup next week and hopefully get some of the injured lads back into training and available for next weekend.”
Making their debuts in this week’s games were new signings Stuart Crilly and Harvey Whyte recruited from Sandbach United and Northwich Victoria respectively.
Rylands continue their pursuit of a top three place and promotion to the Northern Premier League on Saturday when they welcome Padiham to Gorsey Lane, kick off 3pm.
