Two second half goals see Rylands up to second

By Garry Clarke. Pictures: Mark Percy

TWO second half goals ensured Warrington Rylands maintained their winning start to the year leaving their hosts still searching for their first win of 2022.

Already with several personnel changes from Saturday’s win at Marine, Rylands were forced into a further reorganization in the 10^th minute when Adam Buxton limped from the pitch.

Colne were forced into a reshuffle of their own four minutes later when referee Lewis Dawson showed a red card to Dean Ing following an off the ball incident which left Rick Smith on the deck.

Being a man down forced Colne into a more defensive mode which frustrated Rylands, who were restricted to mainly shooting from distance, although a series of crosses into the Colne area caused confusion amongst the defence but no one was able to capitalize.

Despite being a man down, Colne had the better chances of the first half, and were unfortunate not to take a lead into the half time break. Charlie Russell fired a shot on the turn over the bar, Graeme McCall pulled off a tremendous point blank save to deny Reece Webb-Foster and William Shepherd hit the woodwork with a header.

Rylands finally broke the deadlock a minute into the second half, Andy Scarisbrick diving to head home after Colne keeper Hakan Burton had parried his initial shot.

A goal up Rylands dominated the second half with the home side posing little threat to McCall’s goal, as Rylands rained in shots from distance on their host’s goal.

Although many of their attempts were off target Burton was called into action pulling off several good saves. On the hour mark he did well to keep out a flicked near post Kane Drummond header from a corner, and denied Matty Hughes ten minutes later.

However, he could not prevent Drummond sealing the win in the 74^th minute. Colne had three attempts to clear a corner and when the ball was returned into the area it found Drummond unmarked, he calmly drilled the ball under Burton’s body.

With Marine losing at home again Rylands move up to second four points behind leaders Workington who also won on Tuesday.

COLNE: Burton Lent (Ellis) Dugdale Winstanley Pugh Shepherd Russell (Myers) Haywood Ing Webb-Foster Cregg (Worrall); Subs not used: Roberts Gourley

WARRINGTON RYLANDS: McCall Simpson (Bentham) Allen Neild Smith Buxton (Hughes ) Doyle (Walker) Gerrard Dolan Scarisbrick Drummond; Subs not used Coveney Hilton

GOALS – Rylands Scarisbrick 46, Drummond 74

Attendance 242 Referee Lewis Dawson

@statsports man of the match Andy Scarisbrick