by Garry Clarke Pictures Mark Percy
PROMOTION chasing Warrington Rylands climbed to second in the Northern Premier League West table with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic.
The victory saw them climb to second in the table, just two points behind Workington, with a game in hand.
In a scrappy goalless first half both sides were restricted to shooting from distance, although Joe Coveney engineered an opening for Callum Dolan who with only the keeper to beat stabbed the ball wide.
Dolan and Owen Robinson both fired shorts from outside the box off target, while Kidsgrove goalkeeper Kieran Harrison tipped a Lewis Earl strike over the bar.
Kidsgrove’s Alex Morris cleared a Joe Bunney header from a corner of the line in the 30th minute, while in the closing stages of the half Bunney has a shot from another corner blocked, and Robinson flashed the ball across the face of Kidsgove’s goal.
Having rarely troubled the Rylands goal in the first half, Kidsgrove had three great chances to score in the opening ten minutes of the second half.
Kieran Brown broke away from the Rylands defence and with only goalkeeper Graeme McCall to beat screwed his shot inches wide of the post. After Harrison had saved bravely at the feet of Kane Drummond, McCall pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi volley.
After Anthony Malbon had headed a cross over the Rylands bar the home side started to dominate the game.
A 57th minute Declan Walker free kick caused confusion in the Kidsgrove penalty area, in the scramble several shots were blocked until Joe Denman’s was deflected over the bar for a corner.
Following the goalless first half, Rylands eventually broke the deadlock on 62 minutes when Declan Walker scored direct from a free-kick.
Then on 70 minutes, Kane Drummond doubled the lead with a tidy finish.
Moments later there were strong shouts for a penalty when Milne went down in the box but nothing was given.
A fine solo goal from Callum Dolan made sure of the points as he worked his way through the Kidsgrove defence before slotting the ball past the keeper.
After the game manager, Dave McNabb said he was really pleased with the performance which he said was one of the best over 90 minutes this season.
“We controlled the game and controlled possession and all in all 3-0 was more than justified.”
WARRINGTON RYLANDS:McCall Walker Bunney Smith Egerton Denman Earl (Scarisbrick) Coveney Dolan Robinson (Gerrard) Drummond (Milne); Subs not used Tinning Morris
KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC: Harrison Twyford Morris Lovatt (Hickman) Bergin Whieldon Adu-Gyamfi Blake Brown Malbon Johnston; Subs not used Byers Bromfield Lovatt Brown
Goals, Declan Walker (62) Kane Drummond (75) and Callum Dolan (83).
Atten: 202
Here’s the thoughts of @davidmcnabb82 following today’s victory⚽️#WeAreRylands pic.twitter.com/cwDA5m89Nw
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) October 16, 2021
