Report & Pictures John Hopkins
DESPITE losing 1-3 at home to Stockton Town, Manager Neil Reynolds says he was delighted with the first-half performance from his side and that Warrington Rylands still have loads of belief that things will improve.
Reynolds has already begun to make changes to the squad: Luke Porter (Prescot Cables) and Dana Amaral (Warrington Town) have both left and in has come Cole Lonsdale (Nantwich Town) and forward Leslie Adekoya (Accrington Stanley). Previous signings include Harrison Hopper (Bradford (Park Avenue)), Josh Davies (Steven Gerrard Academy) and Alex Kiwomya (Farsley Celtic). Sandro da Costa (FCUM) is the latest player to join The Blues.
The sides were evenly matched throughout the first half with the home side just edging ahead on possession. The chances were there, but the finishing touch wasn’t. At half time they left the field with no score on the board.
Stockton Town made changes on 60 minutes and within three minutes from coming off the bench Joshua Scott scored on his debut for the club.
Rylands began to falter immediately and 13 minutes later Michael Sweet doubled the County Durham side’s lead. Glen Butterworth made their win a certainty, beating Luke Pilling for the third.
It takes time for new players to gel and this became evident as The Blues continually made too many unforced errors, missed tackles and long, high balls in the swirling, strong wind.
Warrington managed to score a consolation goal later on when Dylan Dwyer’s shot slipped from the grasp of Nathan Harker and over the line but it was too little, too late.
Warrington Rylands will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Leek Town.
Reynolds says “We’re not going to roll over and gift a game to anyone”. The belief is there; the technical ability is there; perhaps the win will also be there.