By Garry Clarke Pictures John Hopkins
A wonder goal eight minutes from time took the destiny of the NPL West title race out of Warrington Rylands’ hands as this top of the table clash ended 1-1, leaving Rylands one point ahead of their nearest challengers who have a game in hand against 4th place Marine on Saturday.
With so much at stake neither side wanted to commit too much, and risk making a mistake, resulting in the initial feeling out period extending well into a first half which saw little goalmouth action.
Rylands Graeme McCall was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half although he was not over worked; catching two high crosses into his area and making a good save to keep out a shot at his near post from Dav Symington. Symington shot wide with a free kick from the edge of the area in the 20th minute and Conor Tinnion was also off target with a shot 15 minutes later.
As the first half progressed Rylands cam more into the game forcing a series of corner which the Workington defence dealt with while goalkeeper Jim Atkinson reacted to well to cut out a dangerous pass intended for Kane Drummond.
Atkinson was powerless to prevent Rylands from taking the lead in the 44th minute. Andy Scarisbrick won the ball in the right hand corner, cutting inside a defender he crossed to Scott Bakkor who, with Atkinson out of position, headed the ball into an empty net.
After the break the game was more open as Workington committed more men to attack in search of a way back into the game, which left more space for Rylands to exploit on the counter attack.
With their defensive rocks of James Neild, Sam Egerton and Rick Smith repelling whatever the home side threw at them, Rylands had numerous chances to put the game to bed but Atkinson proved to be their equal. He twice denied Drummond in a couple of minutes, firstly bravely diving at his feet to claim the ball and then standing tall to block his shot.
Amongst other chances for Rylands in the 64th minute Scarisbrick intercepted a poor back pass to feed Bakkor, with the goal at his mercy a defender got a toe on the ball to knock it away, and earlier in the half Drummond broke through the Workington defence but in the act of shooting the ball took a wicked bobble and flew over the bar.
Workington drew level in the 82nd minute, full back Matty Clarke picked up the ball in mid-field, advanced a few steps and unleashed a screaming shot from 30 yards out, which with a late swerve flew into the top corner to even up the scores.
The final minutes were played almost exclusively in and around the Workington area as the home side defended desperately to hold onto their point as Rylands, with a number of hopeful penalty shouts, strove for a winning goal which never came.
Scott Bakkor celebrates – Picture John Hopkins
RYLANDS – McCall Walker (Hughes) Hunt Neild Smith Egerton Irwin Furman Bakkor (Dolan) Scarisbrick (Lacey) Drummond; SUBS: Tinning Buxton
WORKINGTON AFC: Atkinson Symington Clarke Wordsworth Carroll Casson Allison Rigg Jerome Tinnion Evangelinos; SUBS: Fenwick Hubbold Leslie Lightfoot Eccles
GOALS – Rylands Bakkor 44 Workington Clarke 82
Attendance 1,180 Referee S.Dial.
Scott Bakkor celebrating in front of the Rylands faithful after his first half goal! pic.twitter.com/MLIJofHnLx
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 9, 2022
Even at full stretch, McCall couldn’t stop the equaliser. pic.twitter.com/0R0ijXE6lt
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 9, 2022
Post Match Interview with @davidmcnabb82 after today’s game at Workington. pic.twitter.com/2ITgNaxWRU
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 9, 2022
