by Garry Clarke Pictures John Hopkins
WARRINGTON Rylands set out on the road to Wembley winning 3-0 at Prestwich Heys in the preliminary round of the FA Cup, although the victory was not as comfortable as the 3-0 scoreline might suggest.
Rylands got off to a flying start as Luke Sephton took advantage of a defensive error to open his account for the club. Intercepting an under weighted back pass he skipped past the Heys keeper to slid the ball into an empty net in the 6th minute.
An out of sorts Rylands outfit was unable to push home their advantage as their hard-working hosts started to get on top.
The NWCFL Premier Division side went close to leveling the scores with several shots just off target, had a number of other efforts being blocked by desperate defending, while goalkeeper Graeme McCall pulled off several good saves including one to parry away a fierce drive from Jack Coop on the stroke of half time.
After the halftime break Rylands who after their goal had not posed much of a threat were, with manager Dave McNabb’s halftime words of wisdom ringing in their ears, much improved dominating the opening exchanges of the second half.
Heys custodian Russ Saunders was called into action to deny Sephton and Rick Smith, while he required the assistance of a covering defender to clear after Kyle Sambor had nudged the past him.
Saunders was unable to prevent Rylands from doubling their advantage in the 55th minute. Adam Buxton floated a free-kick to Rick Smith at the far post; he directed the ball into the goalmouth where a diving Joe Denman guided the ball home.
Three minutes later Smith made it 3-0. Rising highest at the far post he headed home a Buxton corner.
Never giving up, Prestwich rallied but their search for a consolation goal floundered on the twin defensive rocks of man of the match Denman and his goal-scoring partner Smith.
In the closing minutes of an open entertaining game played in good spirit in pouring rain both Luke Wall and Calum Dolan struck the frame of the Heys goal as Rylands took their place in the draw for the First qualifying round.
RYLANDS – McCall, Lees (Dolan), Tinning (Simpson), Smith, Denman, Buxton, Doyle, Hassall, Sambor (Hughes), Sephton, Wall. Subs not used Hilton, Coveney, Robinson, Milne.
HEYS – Saunders, Rothwell, Empty, McQuade (Sultan), Sharp, Dwyer, Hill, Dickinson, Grimshaw (Coop), Sixsmith, Campbell (Williams). Subs not used Prifti, Hall, Bennett, Strong.
GOALS – Rylands – Sephton 6, Denman 55, Smith 58
@statsports man of the match – Joe Denman
Attendance 209.
