Report & Pictures John Hopkins
WARRINGTON Rylands fought back in the second half to take home a 1 – 1 draw from high-flying Hednesford Town in ‘a game of two halves.’
Top of the league, Hednesford Town began the match on superb form, having won all games since being beaten by Stockton Town back in October. Playing on their brand-new, world-leading hybrid pitch at Keys Park, they were straight out of the blocks and into full attack.
Rylands stuck to the task and kept The Pitmen at bay until the 33rd minute when Montel Gibson opened the scoring, his shot going back across the goalmouth and in at the far post.
Despite the setback, Warrington had chances of their own and were unlucky not to be on equal terms at halftime.
The second half began without defender Matt Regan, who suffered an injury just before the break, but it was at the other end of the pitch where a long clearance from a Pitmen corner found Alex Kiwomya whose speed beat the offside trap, and he calmly placed the ball past an agile Tony Breeden to pull the scores level.
Kiwomya scores
When defender Clive Smith also had to leave the pitch through injury Neil Reynolds moved Ryland’s number 9 into the back row and brought on Jake Burton. Burton was nimble enough to find a way to goal but incredible saves from Breeden prevented further changes to the scoreline.
Back at the other end, Luke Pilling was also making some incredible saves.
Two good sides battling from end to end produced a spectacular event for the 1300+ supporters and a draw seemed a fair result.
Manager Neil Reynolds praised the massive character of his squad. “Hednesford asked a lot of questions of us today but we never know when we are beaten”. He went on to say “that performance was top-class.”
Having played the league leaders, Warrington Rylands now have a week to prepare for their next match, third-placed Lancaster City, a home fixture at The Quickline Logistics Arena in Gorsey Lane
Alex Kiwomya
