Rylands bow out of FA Cup after controversial late penalty retaken

A controversial late decision by the linesman involving a saved penalty being retaken gifted Chorley FC a 1-0 victory over Warrington Rylands in Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup clash.

From the opening whistle, Rylands showed they were ready for the challenge against a Chorley side competing in the sixth tier of English football.
Just seconds after kick-off, Jawad Jebrin had an early opportunity after Harrison Wood delivered a dangerous cross, but he was unable to control the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Rylands dominated much of the first half, but neither side was able to make the most of the chances they created, with the scores level at the break.
Chorley threatened early in the second half, with efforts from Mike Calveley and Jack Hazlehurst, although neither attempt seriously troubled Rylands goalkeeper Luke Pilling.

The match soon became increasingly tense, with the referee reaching for his yellow card on several occasions. Rylands were reduced to ten men when Hazlehurst received a second yellow card for a high foot, bringing his afternoon to an early end.
Pilling was called into action in the 87th minute when Callum Lowe sent a low shot towards goal, but the Rylands goalkeeper dealt with the effort.
The decisive moment came shortly afterwards when Lewis Salmon was judged to have been pulled down inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty for Chorley.
Jack Sampson stepped up to take the spot-kick, with Pilling facing pressure from the travelling supporters, who began throwing liquid in his direction.
The goalkeeper remained focused and produced an excellent save, parrying the penalty away. The rebound was then struck back towards goal but came crashing off the crossbar.
As the home supporters celebrated what appeared to be a crucial save, the referee consulted his linesman, who indicated that Pilling had moved off his line before the penalty was taken.
The penalty was ordered to be retaken.
Sampson made no mistake at the second attempt, sending the ball the other way and scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Warrington did have a free kick late in the game which hit the crossbar, bounced back onto the head of keeper Li-Bau Stowell and away for a corner.

Two years on from taking charge of his first game at Gorsey Lane, Rylands manager Neil Reynolds admitted the result was difficult to take, but said he remained immensely proud of the squad he has assembled.
Reno continued to praise his squad by saying “…everyone of them was exceptional; the lads who didn’t get on; the lads who did come on and the starting eleven, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve”.
“I can’t even look for an area for improvement from today’s performance”.
“We could be in The National League North with this squad; we came so close at Hednesford last season and we showed we can go toe to toe with Scunthorpe and Chorley last year, and again against Chorley today”.

Chorley’s manager Andy Preece stated “We weren’t good but you were brilliant”.
Reno added: ““Chances; chances!”
“People will look at today’s result and say ‘ah well, you played a team from the league above’ but we ran Chorley’s back line ragged”.
“I’ve now got to pick the lads back up and prepare for Stockton Town at home next week in the FA Vase”.