Season set to kick off for ambitious Rylands FC

By Garry Clarke

RYLANDS FC maintained their unbeaten pre-season campaign coming from two goals down to beat a young Chester team 4-2 at Gorsey Lane last Friday evening as they prepare- to kick off their new season this Saturday (August 3).

The victory follows wins over South Liverpool and Crewe United, the later a 4-0 win in the Peace Cup and draws with Pilkington and BetVictor League side Widnes.

The blue’s last pre season game before their debut season in the North West Counties League Premier Division will be at Gorsey Lane (tonight) Tuesday 30th July, against BetVictor League side Runcorn Linnets, kick off 7.pm.

Rylands start their league campaign on Saturday 3rd August with a home game against Charnock Richard who finished last season in 6th place. Kick off 3pm.

Rylands fixtures August 2019

Sat 3 – Charnock Richard (H)

Wed 7 – Litherland REMYCA (A)

Sat 10 – Runcorn Town (A) (FA Cup)

Sat 17 – Avro (H)

Tues 20 – Burscough (A)

Sat 24 – Longridge Town (A)

Mon 26 – Ashton Athletic (H)

Sat 31 – Athersley Recreation (H) (FA Vase)

With Step 5 football in the Premier Division just days away, co manager Dave McNabb is confident his side can compete telling the league website, “It is going to be a monumental challenge and we will need to be more resolute and mature in our performances as we come up against stronger opposition. Last year we finished the season with squad average age of 23/24 so quite a young group. We did however gain some invaluable experience throughout the season and we will need to utilise that to improve and push ourselves to be ready for next year.”

Rylands have been busy strengthening their squad signing a number of players with NWCFL Premier experience and higher. Included in the new arrivals are George Lomax and /Kevin Pollard, who join from Widnes along with Matt Ward from Burscough.

Ambitions are high for the men from Gorsey Lane, with McNabb adding “The clubs long term aspirations are to keep climbing the leagues. I know that’s easier said than done but I want to be involved in an ambitious club and environment and that’s exactly what we have at Rylands. We are realistic and know this won’t happen overnight but we’re trying to lay the foundations to make this possible.