By Garry Clarke; Pictures John Hopkins and Mark Percy
A clinical display by Warrington Rylands allowed the Blues to keep up the pressure on the league leaders as they beat 1874 Northwich 3-1 in the all Cheshire clash at Gorsey Lane.
Although 1874 had the first chances of the game, Rylands opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when a sweeping passing movement ended with Kane Drummond crossing for Andy Scarisbrick to open the scoring minute with a simple tap-in.
1874’s Jamie Reed flashed a header inches wide of the target from a Lucas Weir free kick in the 5th minute before Scarisbrick and Drummond combined for a second time. Winning possession on the halfway line, Scarisbrick broke away to feed Drummond who drilled his shot past the keeper.
Having controlled the majority of the opening minutes, Rylands allowed 1874 to gain more of a foothold in the game and they nearly pulled a goal back in the 23rd minute when Graeme McCall saved well to keep out a shot from Joe Woolley. Moments later Dave Webb flashed a shot across the face of 1874’s goal
The closing stages of the half became scrappy as neither side could gain control of the game.
1874 started the second half the better of the two teams with Markell Foulds heading over the bar and McCall tipping a Jamie Reed free-kick over the bar. From the resultant free-kick McCall brilliantly denied 1874 twice with two saves at point-blank range.
Rylands extended their lead in the 65th minute when with all the grace of a ballet dancer Adam Buxton met a Declan Walker corner with a mid-air back-heel flick worthy of Swan Lake to direct the ball through the hands of the 1874 goalkeeper into the net.
The visitors grabbed a consolation goal in the 72nd minute when Markell Foulds got free at the far post to head home from a corner.
Rylands had a couple of chances to increase their lead in the closing stages with 1874 goalkeeper Tony Aghayere saving well to deny Drummond and Scarisbrick.
Kane Drummond on target again – Picture John Hopkins
WARRINGTON RYLANDS: McCall Doyle Hunt (Tinning) Neild Coveney Buxton Webb (Hughes) Furman Dolan (Walker) Scarisbrick Drummond; Subs not used: Smith Gerrard
1874 NORTHWICH: Aghayere Koral Russell Foulds Jones Weir J Woolley (McGowan) M Woolley (O’Neill) Reed Irlam Kennerley (Knight); Subs not used: Hare Gardner
Attendance 369 Referee Elliot Bell
@statsports Man of the Match Kane Drummond
Picture Mark Percy
Post match comments from our Gaffer, @davidmcnabb82 after the superb win at home to 1874 today. pic.twitter.com/zgBiPI6yvl
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 12, 2022
Post match interview with @podge1404 after his and the team’s solid performance. With a voice cameo from @kane_drummond! 😂 pic.twitter.com/IBMp0p2Qiy
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 12, 2022
Cross comes over and Buxton scores with a FILTHY back heel flick! Rylands 3-0 up! pic.twitter.com/5TgvUZFQZx
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 12, 2022
