By Garry Clarke
WARRINGTON Rylands extended their unbeaten run to three games but could not make it three wins on the bounce as Stafford Rangers came from behind to claim a share of the points.
Only a single point separates the two teams on the league ladder and the closeness of the two was evident in an entertaining and bruising encounter at Gorsey Lane on a wet night.
Although both sides started strongly neither side really troubled their opponent’s goalkeeper with Callum Dolan firing a shot of the Rangers bar and Ethan Stewart heading over Rylands bar.
Stafford did have the ball in the Rylands net in the 8th minute but it was ruled out for offside.
Rylands took the lead in the 30th minute, Jak McCourt led a breakaway, as he approached the Stafford area he slipped the ball into the path of Kane Drummond’s perfectly timed run. Stafford goalkeeper Cameron Belford got a hand on Drummond’s shot but could not prevent the ball from sneaking inside the far post.
Drummond limped out of the action shortly afterwards having sustained a muscle strain.
Defences remained on top for the remainder of the first half, but Rylands started much the quicker in the second half with Harry Pratt testing Belford with a shot while Dolan was only denied a shooting opportunity by a last ditch tackle.
Tom Tonks had been causing the Rylands defence problems throughout the game with his long throws into the penalty area. Most were dealt with by the Rylands rearguard but in the 72nd minute he found the head Raiman Anderson whose firm header leveled the scores.
Both teams had chances to snatch the extra points in the closing stages. Dolan had a shot well saved by Belford who also did well to keep out a long range shot from Niah Payne while Rylands goalkeeper Sam Tickle produced a fine save to keep out a Jaiden White shot leaving everyone to agree a draw was a fair result.
WARRINGTON RYLANDS: Tickle Neild Hunt Langley Egerton McCourt Dolan Furman Pratt Brooke (Irwin) Drummond (Payne); Subs not used: Hayde Mustoe
STAFFORD RANGERS: C Belford Burns Dunne Baxter Stewart Morrison Kiwomya Tonks Anderson Willis (White) Kenton (Massanka); Subs not used: Caine T Belford Smith
Goals – Rylands Drummond 30 Stafford Anderson 72
Referee Alexander Beckett Attendance 287
Man of the match as selected by match day sponsors Global Connect Unified Communications = Callum Dolan.
Thoughts of manager @banim10 after tonights draw with @SRFCofficial pic.twitter.com/scqvprUVt7
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) September 27, 2022
