Rylands 2 Whaley Bridge 1

RYLANDS returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Whaley Bridge in Cheshire Football League Division One.

A first-half strike from Kris Bell put Rylands in front after 26 minutes before the lead was doubled by the returning Liam Hayes early in the second period.

Manager Dave Parr said: “I thought we worked really hard and played some good football at times in difficult conditions and against a decent side.

“We were not as compact defensively which is concerning but credit to the lads for digging deep to make sure we took three points.”

Hayes, who had been out for six weeks through injury, bagged the decisive goal after coming on to replace Alex Lowe, who picked up a dead leg.

Whaley Bridge replied soon after Rylands’ second goal to make the final period nervy for the home side.

Rylands: Moor, Parr, Duffy (J Sinker), Prescott, Tebb, Brown, Lowe (Hayes), Priest, Slater, Bell, Deakin (Dermody).