RYLANDS have reached the Cheshire Football League's JB Parker Cup Final for the second successive season after a hard fought victory over Whaley Bridge in difficult conditions at Gorsey Lane.

The game started brightly in a fierce wind on a heavy pitch and it was Whaley Bridge who created the first opportunity when Andy Moor parried an angled drive from Bill Sutton around the post.

Moments later Alex Lowe and Liam Hayes combined to give Lee Dermody a shooting chance but his effort went wide of the visitors goal.

With their first real attack of note after eight minutes, Rylands opened the scoring when Hayes brilliantly released Kris Bell with a defence splitting pass which the striker coolly converted with a great finish over the advancing keeper.

The goal gave the Blues the impetus and Bell almost scored again when his close range effort was well saved by Burgess.

At the other end Dan Christie turned well inside the penalty area but Moor saved comfortably to preserve Rylands' advantage.

The second half saw the visitors press for the equaliser and Rylands counter attacking dangerously in an entertaining cup encounter.

James Daniels tricked his way past two defenders before driving his shot wide of the Whaley Bridge goal, whilst at the other end Moor again saved well from a Christie free kick.

As the game drew to a close, Whaley committed more players forward and the home side almost put the contest to bed on the counter with Daniels and substitute Craig Smith going close with chances.

In the final moments Whaley desperately put the ball into the Rylands penalty area but the home side defended superbly to hold on to the clean sheet, and reach the showpiece cup final.