by Garry Clarke
WARRINGTON Rylands 1906’s Wembley opponents will be Binfield of the Hellenic League, but who are they?
Based in Bracknell near Reading in Berkshire they were formed in 1892 by employees of a local brickworks.
Known as “The Mole”, Binfield played in a variety of local leagues before joining the Chiltonian League in 1989 becoming founder members of the Hellenic League in 2000. In each of the last two uncompleted seasons Binfield have been in second place in the Premier Diviison when the seasons cam to a halt.
Playing in all red they were granted an exemption to the second round of the FA Vase this season having reached the 4th round last season.
In this season’s competition they have defeated Newhaven, Deal Town, Fakenham Town, Hadley, Long Eaton United and United Services Portsmouth, all away from home and four via penalty shoot-outs.
Midland League Walsall Wood provided the last obstacle on Rylands road to Wembley in the semi-finals at Gorsey Lane on Saturday. Goals from Kane Drummond and Elliott Nevitt gave the Blues a 2-0 lead, Walsall pulled a late goal back but it was not enough to prevent Rylands from winning 2-1.
Binfield beat United Services 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the other semi-final.
Entering the Buildbase FA Vase for the 14th time Warrington Rylands 1906 started their 2020/21 campaign in the first qualifying round on Saturday, 19th September, away at NWCFL First Division Daisy Hill. Falling behind in the 4th minute they rallied to win 5-2. Kane Drummond led the way with two goals while Freddie Potter, Tom Freeman and Charlie Doyle netting one apiece.
The second qualifying round on Saturday 10th October saw Northern Counties East side Goole visit Gorsey Lane where the Yorkshiremen were hit for six. Paul Shanley 2, Drummond 2, Ste Milne and Potter getting on the score sheet in a 6-0 romp.
The first-round draw handed Rylands a home tie against fellow NWCFL Premier Division side Padiham on Saturday 31st October, a double from Elliott Nevitt ensured passage into the next round.
With non-elite football re-emerging from a second national lockdown the second round was scheduled for Saturday 5th December but a waterlogged pitch delayed Rylands trip to Northern League Jarrow until Saturday 12th December when Charlie Doyle gave Rylands the lead just after halftime. However, the home side equalised deep into stoppage time. Rylands held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Due to their recent good record in the FA Vase Binfield entered this season’s competition at the second round stage winning 4-1 on penalties at Newhaven after a 2-2 draw.
For the third round Rylands was paired with fellow NWCFL Premier Division side Longridge Town, the tie scheduled for 19th December was to have been played at Longridge but was switched to Gorsey Lane. Goals from Kane Drummond and Elliot Nevitt saw Rylands through 2-1.
The third round saw Binfield win 4-1 at Deal Town.
As the country started to reawaken from another national lockdown the Football Association announced the FA Vase would be played to a conclusion. So on Saturday 17th April 2021 119 days after their previous game Rylands caught the bus back to the North East to face Northern League Shildon in the fourth round. After a tense 0-0 draw goalkeeper Graeme McCall was the hero of a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win.
Another 4-1 penalty shoot-out win for Binfield in the 4th round this time after a 0-0 draw at Fakenham Town.
The fifth round gave Rylands a home draw against Northern Counties East side North Ferriby, but the Humbersiders were found guilty of playing an ineligible player in the previous round, so the Blues faced Northern League opposition again in West Auckland Town. A Paul Shanley goal gave Rylands the lead but Auckland snatched a late equaliser and Graeme McCall was the hero of another penalty shoot-out, Rylands winning 3-1.
Penalties again for Binfield who win 5-4 in the 5th round at Hadley after drawing 0-0.
More Northern League opposition in the quarter-finals with the FA Vase holders themselves Hebburn Town visiting Gorsey Lane on Saturday 8th May, a week later than the other quarter-finals as Hebburn were playing in the 2020 Vase final on Bank Holiday Monday. A second-half goal from Elliott Nevitt relinquished Hebburn’s 5-day grip on the Vase.
a 5-0 romp for the Moles in the quarter-finals at Long Eaton United.
“Every single person in that dressing room has been massively important to us”.
Post-match words from manager @davidmcnabb82 on what it means to reach the FA Vase Final 🏆. pic.twitter.com/77DBnlhmxn
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) May 15, 2021
WEMBLEY BABY 💙💙💙
So, so proud of the players, the staff and everyone behind the scenes at the club. What a team effort 🙌🏻
Thanks to everyone for all the messages of support, it means more than you’ll ever know 🙏
Wembley though 🤪🤪🤪@RylandsFC 2-1 @WalsallWoodFC pic.twitter.com/HoDB46K2xg
— David McNabb (@davidmcnabb82) May 15, 2021
Read our match report from yesterday's FA Vase semi-final tie against Walsall Wood to find out how events unfolded at Gorsey Lane – with the players securing a trip to Wembley! 🏆🏟️https://t.co/eQXhv77wc4#WeAreWarringtonRylands #RoadToWembley pic.twitter.com/mD8WIVQO7q
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) May 16, 2021
