by John Hopkins
WARRINGTON Rylands bounced back from their FA Trophy defeat to Guiseley with an impressive 1-2 victory away at Ashton United on Saturday.
Despite Ashton enduring a disappointing season, this was never going to be an easy fixture for Rylands. Injuries and illness had left the visitors with a depleted squad, with new coach Charlie Ennis among the substitutes.
Rylands made a bright start, putting The Robins under pressure from the opening whistle. Just two minutes into the match, a Calum Costello cross into a crowded penalty area saw Matty Regan brought down. However, his appeals for a penalty were dismissed, with the forward instead receiving a yellow card.
At the other end, Luke Pilling was called into action, producing a flying save to deny Kurt Willoughby.
Rylands took the lead after 11 minutes. George Waring provided the assist for Harrison Wood, who finished comfortably to end his four-match goal drought.
Wood almost doubled the advantage ten minutes later, but his effort narrowly missed the far post.
The visitors did extend their lead shortly afterwards. A Joe Riley corner was flicked on at the near post, allowing Waring to arrive at the far post and turn the ball home.
Ashton refused to give up and pulled a goal back just before half-time. Spencer Knight made progress down the left before finding Willoughby, whose effort beat Pilling, possibly with the aid of a deflection.
The hosts pushed hard for an equaliser after the break, but Rylands remained resolute defensively and continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.
Ennis was introduced in place of Costello, who had earlier been sent head first into the surrounding barrier. He almost made an immediate impact, forcing an outstanding save from Ashton goalkeeper Tommy Taylor.
Taylor produced several superb saves throughout the afternoon to prevent the scoreline from becoming considerably more emphatic.
However, Rylands held firm until the final whistle to secure an important away victory and bounce back from their FA Trophy disappointment.
The Blues are next in action on Tuesday evening when they host Woolton in the Liverpool Senior Cup.
