Rylands 1 Sandbach Utd 1

A LATE Connor Anderson penalty rescued a draw for Rylands on Saturday.

The Blues were off the pace expected by manager Danny Salt in the first half as they fell behind but two replacements and a change of system for the second period brought about much improvement.

Salt said: "Full credit to a very youthful and energetic Sandbach side who pressed us high up the pitch and hurried us in to making mistakes in what was a frantic first half.

“They deserved their 1-0 lead at the break.

“We changed our shape for the second half which allowed us to play higher up the pitch and play the game in their half rather than our own.

“It was the high press that won us the ball back to create the break that led to our equaliser from the spot.

“A draw was probably a fair result."

The only first-half chance of note for the hosts came when David France headed just over from a Stephen Latham free kick.

Despite dominating the midfield battle, Sandbach were not creating much in terms of goal-scoring opportunities, with set pieces seeming to be their most dangerous asset.

And it was from a set piece that their goal came on 23 minutes when captain Thomas Watkin latched on to a free kick and slotted home unchallenged from six yards out.

Introducing Tom Gibson and the returning Kurt McCarthy as well as the change of system seemed to enthuse Rylands and they dominated the possession and territory throughout the second 45 minutes.

Tom Swann, who moved up front alongside Anderson got behind the visiting back four and beat the onrushing keeper to the ball.

The keeper hacked Swann down and a free kick was given on the edge of the box.

Swann then fired the resulting free kick over the bar.

On 52 minutes a decent free kick came in from Josh Dagley that debutant Lee Hughes could not latch on to before Callum Wilson went narrowly wide with a speculative overhead kick.

The next significant chance came with 20 minutes to play when Latham headed wide from close range.

The continual pressing from the hosts eventually led to a penalty.

McCarthy slid Swann in behind and as he tormented the defence, he was fouled as he was about to shoot.

Anderson casually stepped up to slot the penalty home on 80 minutes.

Rylands tried in vain to find a winner as the away team saw the game out and they were delighted with their away day point.

Rylands: Matt Latham, Adam Hunter (Tom Gibson 46), Josh Dagley, David France, Calum Wilson, Stephen Latham, Tom Swann, Scott Beckett (Kurt McCarthy 46), Connor Anderson, Chris Brown, Lee Hughes.