Rylands stalemate at Gorsey Lane

By Garry Clarke

WARRINGTON Rylands ended their two game losing streak by taking a point from a goalless draw at home against Atherton Collieries but extended their run of league games without a win to six.

In a game with little goalmouth action, the NPL Premier’s top goal scorers drew a blank for the first time since the opening day of the season against a well organized Atherton defence.
Both sides cancelled each other out as the game rarely escaped its midfield battle as both sides were guilty of wasting possession with miss placed passes and aimless wayward crosses into enemy territory.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges without troubling the Rylands rearguard before Callum Dolan had Rylands first sight of goal in the 10^th minute. Cutting in from the left wing he released a right foot shot which Atherton goalkeeper Nico Hansen shoveled away for a corner.
Aaron Smith and former Blue Scott Bakkor saw headers clear the Rylands cross bar mid-way through a scrappy first half.
As the first half meandered to a close Kane Drummond was brought down on the edge of Colls area. Dolan’s free kick was blocked by the defensive wall, his follow up shot from the rebound was deflected wide.
Having experienced a relatively quiet first half Rylands goalkeeper Joel Torrence had to be on his toes in the opening minute of the second half, to catch an in swinging corner at the near post whilst under pressure from Colls attackers.
As the game became even more disjointed, both sides had, without any real conviction, attempts on goal with Torrence fielding a shot from Jak Fitzmartin with ease while his opposite number had his hands warmed by a Sean Cooke shot, and Dolan fired into the side netting in the 71^st minute.
With both defences remaining firm in the closing minutes the game petered out to a goal less draw – Rylands first for over a year – with the visitors celebrating their deserved point more than their hosts.

WARRINGTON RYLANDS: Torrance Neild (Hayde) Hunt Mustoe Egerton Furman Dolan Vassallo Drummond Cooke (Pratt) N’Mai (Irwin) Sub not used: Payne
ATHERTON COLLIERIES: Freitas-Hansen Smith Peet Rooney Lafferty Hansen Kershaw Pettifer Bakkor Smith Fitzmartin (Cusani) Sub not used Ebosele
Attendance 389 Referee David Burton