Rylands repel invaders from Castle Gates

by Garry Clarke Pictures John Hopkins

WARRINGTON Rylands kept up the pressure on the league leaders by beating Newcastle Town 5-2 at a wet and windy Gorsey Lane as they once again leapfrogged over Workington into second place in the NPL West table.

As the rain lashed the pitch Rylands got off to a flying start when from a well worked corner routine Declan Walker fired the ball into a packed penalty area, possibly taking a deflection of a defenders body the ball ended up in the back of the net to put the Blues 1-0 up.

Rylands were in complete control of the opening stages of the game and in the 10th minute Kane Drummond flicked the ball into the path of Callum Dolan who from distance drove a fierce shot just off target. Four minutes later Dolan set up Drummond who made no mistake slotting the ball past the keeper.

Newcastle Town came more into the game as the half-developed without looking like scoring, the closest they came was when Rylands goalkeeper Graeme McCall had to react quickly to prevent Joe Coveney heading through his own goal.

A minute into the second half Akeel Francis made it 3-0 to Rylands turning home a Dolan cross, however straight from the kick-off Newcastle advance downfield a cross from the left finds Will Lloyd who headed home.

Newcastle goalkeeper Owen Mooney pulled off good saves to deny Walker, Covey and Dolan while McCall did well to clear the ball after Maxwell Chimeness was played through on goal for Castle and Ethan Vale flashed a shot over the bar.

Rylands were rocked in the 70th minute when a corner from the left found Tommy Van der Lann lurking at the far post to nod home to give the visitors a glimmer of hope, and test the home sides nerves.

Three minutes later nerves were settled as the two goal advantage was restored. Charlie Doyle won the ball on the right touchline and delivered a tantalizing cross into the Newcastle penalty area. As keeper Mooney is about to claim it, Dolan rises like a salmon to guide the ball into the net.

The leading scorers in the Division, Rylands wrapped the game up in the 90th minute when Sam Egerton became the 19th player to score this season heading home at the far post from a corner.

WARRINGTON RYLANDS: McCall, Walker, (Simpson) Tinning, Earl, Egerton, Doyle, Gerrard, Coveney, Dolan, (Denman) Scarisbrick, Drummond (Franics); Sub not used: Hilton

NEWCASTLE TOWN: Mooney, Weldon, Vare, Vale, Askey, (Smith) Dennis, Morley, Van der Laan, Chimenes, (Berks) Van der Laan, Lloyd; Sub not used Baxter

GOALS – Rylands – Walker (6′) Drummond (14′) Francis (46′) Dolan (73′) Egerton (90′)

Newcastle – Lloyd (48′) T Van Der Laan (70′)

ATTENDANCE 208

Francis scores

Rylands celebrate – pictures John Hopkins

A fantastic moment for a club legend today's game. 🥇@WarrenGerrarddd made his 100th appearance for the club today and we were proud to present him with an award to mark the occasion.

Well done Warren 👏👏👏⚽️ pic.twitter.com/AsTFn1h6mq

— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) December 12, 2021