by Dave Burley Pictures Mark Percy
A rampant Warrington Rylands went top of the table on goal difference with a 4-1 victory over Trafford as other results went their way.
The match was billed as the most devastating attack against one of the toughest defences in the league. A true case of the Irresistible Force meeting the Immovable Object.
The game started in competitive fashion with both teams fashioning out chances early on but Rylands took control of the game from around ten minutes in and caused their visitors countless problems at the back. Rylands’ back three of Smith, Buxton and the super impressive Neild fed their wing-backs well and Hunt and Walker were able to create numerous opportunities for the likes of Drummond, Webb and Scarisbrick to force a breakthrough.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute as Charlie Doyle capitalised on a loose ball on the edge of the Trafford box and let fly a beautiful curling shot that flew into the top corner of the Trafford goal. The goal sparked a period of dominance where Rylands put constant pressure on the Trafford defence which caused some excellent defending from Denman and Rooney to keep the score at 1-0.
The lead was doubled though, in the 32nd minute as Kane Drummond, putting more pressure on the defence got him through on goal and he squared the ball to Scarisbrick who smashed it home to make the score 2-0 at the break.
Trafford started the second half the stronger as they pushed for a way back into the game and found it within a couple of minutes of the restart. A cross was played into the Rylands box and was parried away into the path of Mike Burke who volleyed past McCall from close range to make the score 2-1.
Trafford remained on top of the game for 20 minutes, penning Rylands back in their own half but the hosts eventually took control back of the game and started to press Trafford again. Their pressing was rewarded with a goal in the 76th minute as Kane Drummond, slipped through the defence and went clean through on goal. Drummond was denied by an excellent parried save from Jonathan McIlwaine but the ball landed at the feet of David Webb who drove his shot into the net from 6 yards out to restore the two goal advantage.
8 minutes later, Rylands were at it again as Scarisbrick found himself free in the Trafford box and performed an exquisite turn and finish to make the score 4-1 and ensure Rylands took all three points from the game.
After Marine drew 0-0 away at Kidsgrove and Workington were beaten 1-0 at home to Widnes, this left all three teams on 65 points at the top of the table with Rylands top of the league with a clear advantage on goal difference.
Kane Drummond rounds the keeper – Picture Mark Percy
Picture Mark Percy
Post match with Dave McNabb. pic.twitter.com/9htWMK5v3S
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 26, 2022
Great work from Drummond who rounds the Trafford goal keeper and sets up Webb who adds the third. pic.twitter.com/TvcutnSSLa
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 26, 2022
