By Garry Clarke
WARRINGTON Rylands take their first step on the road to Wembley on Saturday when they welcome Stockton Town to Gorsey lane for an Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round tie.
Rylands enter the on the back of a dramatic game at Macclesfield on Monday which extended their unbeaten run to 5 games. A 99th minute equalizer from Dean Furman earned the Blues a deserved point enabling them to hold onto 5th place in the NPL Premier Division table.
Their visitors, unbeaten in their last 3 games, are a place lower in the NPL Division One East and come into the game on the back of a 2-0 home win against Newton Aycliffe on Bank Holiday Monday.
Finishing last season in 2nd place, Stockton, who missed out on promotion to the Premier Division losing in the play off finals on penalties, will provide a stern test of Rylands resources which have been tested recently due to a spate of injuries.
Rylands manager Michael Clegg is aware of how difficult the game will be but is confident of getting a result saying “We have a break from the league this week, but face a really tough game against a team who are fancied to do well in the NPL East. It is one we are looking forward to, but at home we fancy ourselves against anybody.”
In the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup Stockton Town beat fellow NPL East team Ashington 2-1 at home in front of 332 spectators. Falling behind in the 51st minute Adam Nicholson equalized in the 71st minute before Kevin Hayes scored the Anchors winner in the 90th minute
If the game ends all square after 90 minutes the two teams will reconvene at Stockton Town’s ground for a replay on Wednesday 6th September, kick off 7.45pm
Kick off 3pm
Admission: Adults £10 | Concessions £7 | U16s £2
Please note season tickets cannot be used for this fixture.
The 1906 lounge is open to all fans from 12pm and will be showing Sheffield United v Everton from 12.30pm.
