by John Hopkins
WARRINGTON Rylands travelled to Ashton United who sit fifth in the league, and came away with a creditable 1-1 draw and a point after falling to an early goal.
Chances were a plenty at each end as “two good sides went toe to toe with each other.”
The first clear chance came when Jordan Eastham was caught out of his area and Jake Burton grabbed a shot at an open goal, but sadly hooked his shot across the penalty box. Just as Eastham was found missing, so was Luke Pilling two minutes later. The keeper left his area to clear the ball to midfield but Louis White pinched it from The Blues and fired a shot into the net before Pilling could return.
Rylands, stunned by a 97th-minute equaliser at Worksop in midweek, dug in deep and didn’t allow The Robins to take control of the match. Play went from end to end throughout the half but when Jake Burton battled in the corner for what appeared to be a lost cause and still managed to produce a perfect cross into the goalmouth, Alex Kiwomya rose high to head the ball past Eastham for the equaliser.
Luke Pilling saves
The second half was full of excitement and, to a neutral observer well worth the entrance fee, but neither side could produce a winner.
Rylands Manager Neil Reynolds is on record as saying he was ‘chuffed’ with the excellent character and resolve of his squad against a team who, barring any major upsets, will almost certainly be in the play-offs at the end of the season.
Rylands can now enjoy Christmas Day but will be back in action at the Hive Arena on Boxing Day when they face up to Hyde United, another play-off contender.
