WARRINGTON Rylands have announced the signing of midfield dynamo Jak McCourt from Chesterfield FC.
McCourt helped Chesterfield secure a playoff spot in last season’s Vanarama National League.
Commenting on the signing manager Dave McNabb said:“Jak came in to train with us short term when Macclesfield Town were wound up, he impressed immensely and we’ve kept in contact ever since.
“He’s a top-class player who will bring real quality to the group.”
Meanwhile, Rylands started their 2022/23 campaign with a 2-3 loss at Welsh League Champions TNS.
The Blues with a mixed team containing established players from last season, new signings and trialists blew away a few cobwebs and got some miles in their legs in a good work out against good quality opposition.
Goalkeeper Will Appleyard was called into action in the 6th minute to pull off a good save from a shot from outside the area, but could not prevent TNS’s Josh Beamond from opening the scoring in the 9th minute. Cutting in field from the right, the No.58 curled a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net.
The lead lasted just two minutes as trialist Max McCarthy slid the ball through the Welsh side’s defence for Kane Drummond to slot the ball past the advancing TNS goalkeeper Dan Atherton, signed from Warrington Town the previous evening.
Atherton pulled off a good save in the 20th minute to deny Drummond as play in an even first half switched from end to end without either side looking likely to add to their tally.
Rylands took the lead just two minutes into the second half, Declan Walker bundling the ball home from close range following a scramble in the box from a corner.
Just as in the first half the scores were leveled two minutes later as Chris Marriott’s powerful strike from outside the area went in off the far post.
The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club (to give them their full title), playing their 4th pre-season game ahead of their Champions League campaign started to take control of the game, the second half of which was played mainly in the Rylands half.
The home side struck the decisive goal in the 71st minute when substitute Owen Davies scored from close range with his first touch just a minute after being introduced.
Rylands went close to snatching an equalizer in the closing minutes with Steve Irwin heading a corner onto the bar and McCarthy stabbing a shot inches wide.
TNS – Atherton; Cornish, Grogan, Woollam, Marriott; Routledge, Clark, Turner; Beamond, Brobbel, Edwards. Subs Waraer, Owen, Oakly, Tirebuck, Davies, Palmer, Edwards.
RYLANDS – Appleyard, Doyle, Webster, Walker, Nield, Buxton, Irwin, Furman, Barrigan, Drummond, McCarthy. Subs Morris, Bennett, Hunt, Dolan, Smith.
Everyone at Chesterfield Football Club wishes Jak the best at Warrington Rylands. Smash it, @jakmc4 💙
— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) June 27, 2022
