Disappointing defeat as Rylands fail to convert chances

by Garry Clarke Pictures John Hopkins

DAVE McNabb’s 150th game as manager of Warrington Rylands ended in a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Ashton United.

Having survived a first-minute penalty appeal, Ashton United took the lead in the 4th minute.

The Rylands defence failed to cut out a James Baillie cross from the right wing allowing Callum Saunders to head home unchallenged from close range at the far post.
Rylands were back on level terms six minutes later when Andy Scarisbrick reacted quickly to force the ball home after Ashton goalkeeper Greg Hartley made an excellent one-on-one save to deny Kane Drummond.

Scarisbrick had the ball in Ashton’s net for a second time in the 20th minute but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Hartley pulled off another two good save to keep out shots from Callum Dolan and Drummond while Dave Webb, Ryan Brooke and James Neild all went close to hitting the target while Dolan struck the upright in the 29th minute with a shot from distance.

For all of Rylands attacking play it was the home side that went into the halftime break in front. In time added on at the end of the first half Saunders fired in a low cross from the left flank which found Ben Hardcastle unmarked enabling him to fire through a packed penalty area.

The second half started with Rylands on the attack with Webb and Dolan, twice, going close with shots that just missed the target, while Hartley saved well to keep out a Webb free kick in the opening exchanges.
As the half wore on, Rylands attacks became more desperate with balls being thrown into the penalty are easily dealt with by a well organised Ashton defence; their best chance in the closing stages fell to debutant Benni Braithwaite who fired into the side netting in the 86th minute.

Ashton had gone close to extending their advantage in the 63rd minute when Will Appleyard tipped Saunders’ acrobatic effort onto the bar.
Playing his first NPL game for Rylands, Appleyard also made good saves to deny Saunders and Hardcastle, but in stoppage time brought down Hardcastle to concede a penalty.
Saunders converted the spot kick to leaving Rylands to rue missing so many chances, especially in the first half.

Rylands – Appleyard, Neild (Egerton), Hunt, Morris, Langley, Irwin (Furman), Webb (Braithwaite), Scarisbrick, Brooke, Dolan, Drummond. Subs not used Gerrard, Mustoe

Post Match Interview with our manager ⁦@davidmcnabb82⁩ after today’s game. pic.twitter.com/4C1hhgSJPq

— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) August 20, 2022