by John Hopkins
ON the back of a wonderful midweek win in the Liverpool Senior Cup against National League North side Southport, Warrington Rylands travelled to Ilkeston Town, where they lost out 2-1 with a late, injury-time goal.
Several players were unavailable for the match and Neil Reynolds was forced to field a different line-up to Tuesday. New addition to the squad, and on loan from Blackburn Rovers, Harrison Wood came straight into the side creating big problems for The Robin’s defence.
A strong, swirling wind around the New Manor Ground led to many long kicks going astray. Ilkeston appeared to have most of the play in the first half; after just six minutes, a shot across goal beat Pilling, but it hit the post and bounced back into play. This was their best chance of the half.
They may have had control of most of the first 45 minutes but Ilkeston could not score. However, Rylands themselves had several chances, but Matthew Yates in the opposition goal managed to keep them at bay
Reno sent the same players out for the second half and within minutes, from a Cole Lonsdale corner, Matt Regan headed the blues into the lead. Ilkeston immediately fought back but Pilling was up to the task, making a wonderful diving save from a free kick just outside the penalty area.
Harrison Wood shoots
Late in the match the ball bounced around midfield from player to player, team to team, but ended up in front of the Warrington goal. It appeared as though McKeal Abdullah miss-hit the ball and Pilling could only watch as it rolled into the bottom corner for the equaliser.
The last few minutes of the match was end-to-end. Both teams were pushing for the winner yet laying their bodies on the line to prevent the opposition from scoring. It was a goalmouth scrabble that finally won the match for the Robins. Deep into injury time, Colin Daniel put the ball through Pilling’s legs through a crowded goalmouth.
Reynolds said that “…he was still so proud of his lads. The loss won’t define our season but it does hurt”
Attention will now turn to the semi-final of the LCFA cup next Tuesday, with a trip to Walton Hall Park where Warrington Rylands will face up to Everton.
