Report: Garry Clarke: Pictures John Hopkins
WARRINGTON Rylands bagged their first point in the NPL Premier to move off the bottom of the table, but such was their dominance for long periods of the game it could have been all three points.
After the disappointment of the slow start against Gainsborough Trinity, Rylands got off to a flying start with Andy Scarisbrick firing over the Nantwich Town bar in the opening minutes as the home side struggled to clear a corner.
The Blues hit the front in the 6th minute through a spectacular Callum Dolan strike. He picked up the ball on halfway, turned a defender before cutting inside onto his right foot and curled shot into the top corner.
Rylands continued to press forward with David Webb dragging a shot just wide of the target while a Kane Drummond shot was inches over the bar, and several timely interventions from green-shirted defenders prevented any further scoring.
As the first half progressed Nantwich started to come more into the game and with their first foray into Rylands territory AJ Leitch-Smith had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled out by a raised linesman’s flag indicating offside.
Rylands goalkeeper Sam Tickle saved well to keep out a Joe Robbins shot before his side finished the first half on top with Drummond just failing to reach Ryan Brooke’s low driven cross which flashed across the face of goal.
Nantwich leveled the scores in the 56th minute when they were awarded free kick on the edge of Rylands penalty area. Sean Cooke lifted the dead ball over the wall into the top corner.
Five minutes later while trying to clear their lines, Rylands lost possession just outside their area; the ball was quickly played into Cooke who made no mistake in firing his side into the lead.
Their lead lasted only six minutes as Drummond flicked an in swinging corner into the Nantwich net.
The home side ended the game with ten men after defender Jon Moran was shown a straight red card in the 72nd minute after he brought down Drummond. From the resultant free kick Webb rattled the underside of the cross bar, Nantwich managed to clear before any Blue shirted attackers could react.
In the closing stages play switched from end to end as both sides strove to make the final breakthrough, but neither side could land the decisive blow and had to settle for a share of the points.
Callum Dolan crosses – Picture John Hopkins
RYLANDS – Tickle, Neild, Hunt, Morris, Langley, Barrigan (Walker), Webb, Scarisbrick, Brooke, Dolan (Mustoe), Drummond. Subs not used Egerton, Gerrard, Irwin
NANTWICH – Gray, Stair, Bourne, Moran, Sutton, Hughes, Leitch-Smith, Robbins, Cocklerline, Cooke, Grant. Subs Sherratt,Mwasile, Heath, Miller, Edwards.
Referee Richard Abson Attendance 436
