by Garry Clarke
WARRINGTON Rylands 1906 return to competitive action on Tuesday in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round, when the Blues visit Barnton to face 1874 Northwich FC.
Undoubtedly the tie of the round brings together the top two sides from the North West Counties League Premier Division, with 1874 Northwich and Rylands occupying the top two places in the table when last season was curtailed with records of:
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1874 Northwich 29 22 5 2 79 27 32 71
Rylands 30 20 3 7 62 32 30 63
Rylands played 1874 Northwich twice in the 2019/20 season coming out on the wrong side of the scoreline in two very closely fought games played between two evenly matched teams. Losing a Macron Cup tie at Gorsey Lane on penalties and losing 2-1 in a league fixture at Townfield conceding the winning goal in the 88th minute.
With only a limited number of spectators, 300 maximum, allowed at games tickets will have to be purchased in advance via the 1874 Northwich website.
With replays not being part of the FA Cup schedule this season the game will be played to a conclusion on Tuesday and the winners will be at home in the preliminary round against Clitheroe of the Northern Premier League on Saturday 12th September.
Warrington Rylands 1906 will also be in cup action on Saturday 19th September when they visit First Division North side Daisy Hill in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase, and with the NWCFL season not starting until 3rd October the club have arranged two friendly games for September.
On Saturday Warrington Rylands 1906 played a friendly away at NWCFL First Division side Stockport Town, drawing 2-2 with goals from Paul Shanley and Ste Milne.
In other friendly games scheduled before the NWCFL starts on 3rd October they will visit Garswood United on Saturday 5th September and Bangor City on Saturday 26th September.
Warrington Rylands 1906 reserve team which plays in the Cheshire Football League division two, which kicks off on Saturday 5th September, have received their fixtures for the opening month. They start with an away game on 5th September at St Helens Town reserves before receiving Orford (12th) and Blacon (26th) at Gorsey Lane.
