by Garry Clarke
Rylands FC battled Storm Dennis and Skelmersdale United on Saturday to extend their winning run to seven games and move into second place in the NWCFL Premier Division table.
The only game played in the Division, the two teams kept the Gorsey Lane crowd entertained on a wet and windy afternoon in conditions which made it difficult to play football.
After the game manager Dave McNabb said “Conditions were horrendous but the lads did the ugly stuff really well and showed their quality when it mattered”.
Rylands enjoyed the larger share of the game and could have won by a bigger score than 2-0 but for some desperate defending and good goalkeeping. But they did not have it all their own way as Skelmersdale created numerous opportunities of their own, but like their hosts were denied by some desperate last ditch defending and a goalkeeper in Mike Emery who made several good saves.
McNabb commented “Fair play to Skem, a very good side who battled well throughout”.
Rylands broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Andy Scarisbrick fired home after the ball broke to him inside the penalty area. The points were made safe in the 86th minute, Kane Drummond scoring a fine individual goal. Racing onto a through ball he rounded the Skem keeper before slotting the ball into the net from a tight angle.
A large portion of the 122 strong crowd took shelter form the elements under the recently constructed stand on the eastern side of the ground. The stand, which will house up to 150 seats when completed, is the first stage of the next phase of ground improvements which will bring the arena up to Northern Premier League standards.
Whilst Rylands survived Storm Dennis its predecessor Storm Ciara wreaked havoc at Gorsey Lane causing the collapse of the boundary wall in the western side of the ground. The wall has been removed and the area made safe.
Five points behind the leaders 1874 Northwich, but having played two games more, Rylands host bottom of the table Litherland REMYCA in their next game on Saturday, kick off at Gorsey Lane is 3pm.
