Report: Rylands 1-1 Warrington Town

Honours ended even in the local footballing derby as Rylands and Warrington Town shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Gorsey Lane.

The visitors struck first early in the second half on 51 minutes when Jack Doyle’s corner from the right found the head of Rodwell-Grant at the near post, who sent a looping header into the far corner, much to the delight of the away support.

The hosts levelled 10 minutes later when Harrison Wood cut inside near the left corner of the box and bent a shot into the far corner past Luke Hewitson.

Chances were few and far between the two teams, although Adam Caddick almost grabbed a winner for the hosts on 83 minutes, lashing a shot goalwards from outside the box which crashed against the bar.

Luke Pilling was the busier of the two goalkeepers, the Rylands shot-stopper reacting smartly to deny Rodwell-Grant inside the opening 15 minutes after the ball broke the way of the Yellows goalscorer inside the penalty area and he prodded the ball goalwards. 

Visiting striker Max Thompson also came close in the final quarter with a half-volley that whistled just wide of goal, and Matty Tweedley - introduced shortly after the half-hour mark following an injury to Jay Harris - hit a rising shot narrowly off target moments earlier.

The Yellows don't have to wait long for their return to action, with Leek Town visiting the Cal.Delivery Stadium on New Year's Day. 

Rylands: Pilling, Smith, Gamble, Furman, L Hardcastle (Burton), Caddick, Wood, B Hardcastle, Waring, Hall. Unused subs: Akpo (GK), Holding, Hough, Smith.

Warrington Town: Hewitson, Melhado, Doyle, Gumbs, Bourne, Vela, Waters (Green), Harris (Tweedley), Thompson, Daly, Rodwell-Grant (Brazier). Unused subs: Roper (GK), Morris.

Post-match reaction