by Garry Clarke Pictures Mark Percy
WHILE extending their lead at the top of the table, Warrington Rylands have guaranteed themselves a top-five finish, following a 0-1 victory away at Ramsbottom United.
On an afternoon where their main title rival dropped points, Rylands held their nerve to extend their lead at the top of the NPL West table to 4 points – although both Workington and Marine have games in hand.
Rylands were made to work hard for the three points by hard-working committed opponents who belied their lowly league position.
The home side started the better with Godwin Abadaki and Billy Hasler-Clegg both firing shots wide of the target in the opening stages before Rylands started to find their feet as they dominated the remainder of the half, although they struggled to find a way past Ramsbottom goalkeeper Tom Stewart, who pulled off a string of top class saves.
Also cutting out several dangerous crosses, Stewart kept out a powerful David Webb shot and brilliantly saved a flicked near post header Rick Smith header from a corner.
Even when they managed to get the ball past Stewart they could not make it count, as a defender and in the 30th minute had a goal controversially ruled out.
Ramsbottom only partially cleared a corner allowing Dean Furman to return the ball into the area, Smith’s acrobatic finish flew past Stewart into the net, only for a late rising linesman’s flag to disallow the goal for offside.
After an open first half, the second descended into a scrappy affair on a difficult pitch, as in the first half the hosts started the half the better. Rylands goalkeeper Graeme McCall was forced into saves to deny Jamie Rother and Domaine Rouse.
As in the first half Rylands took control but still struggled to find a way past Stewart who made a good save to block a Kane Drummond effort, while Declan Walker, Scott Bakkor and Webb were off target with shots.
Stewart was finally beaten to the relief of all from Warrington in the 81st minute when Webb drove his penalty kick into the bottom corner of the net, although the keeper did get his hand to the ball. The penalty had been awarded after Ramsbottom captain Tom Kennedy brought down Drummond as they both went for a loose ball.
Ramsbottom launched a series of desperate attacks in the closing minutes in the hope of salvaging a point but were held at bay by a resolute Rylands team which recorded its 7th consecutive win, although they along with the majority of the 404 strong crowd were wondering how they did not add to their tally in the 90th minute.
Stewart pulled off a remarkable quadruple save, saving four shots in a matter of seconds to twice deny Drummond from close range, Bakkor from the rebound and finally Webb from the edge of the area.
RYLANDS – McCall, Walker, Hunt, Nield, Smith, Buxton (Lacey), Doyle, Furman, Webb, Scarisbrick (Bakkor), Drummond (Egerton). Subs not used Appleyard, Dolan.
GOAL – Rylands Webb 81 pen
ATTENDANCE 404 REFEREE Mark Ryder
David Webb converts the penalty that secured our hard fought 0-1 away win at @RamsbottomUtd today.
Thank you to everyone at Rammy for your hospitality and good luck for the rest of the season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/CyMLU2ZVVX
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) March 26, 2022
