Rylands 9 Pilkington 0

JOEL Brownhill helped himself to five goals as Rylands recorded an emphatic victory over nine-man Pilkington at Gorsey Lane on Saturday.

The win saw Rylands leapfrog their opponents in the Cheshire League Premier Division and earn the side a nomination for a Team of the Week Award, as judged by the Non-League Review website.

The opening goal came after 14 minutes when Dean Jennings and Dave Berry combined to release Nathan Clements on the right, and his cross-shot was deflected past the visitors' stranded goalkeeper and into the net.

Pilkington almost levelled the game when a mix-up between custodian Andy Moor and James Sinker gave Watson a chance to score but a goal-line clearance from Tom Gibson kept the home side in front.

Brownhill got his first of five goals, and Rylands’ second, on the half-hour mark to put the hosts two-up at the break, heading home from Clements’ cross.

The second period saw the Blues on the front foot immediately and after Jennings had fired wide Berry made it three, finishing off a neat move from inside the penalty area.

Pilkington then had a player dismissed for kicking out at Gareth Finch after the Rylands defender had prevented a run on goal with a well-timed tackle.

The hosts took full advantage of having an extra man, with Berry adding a fourth goal from close range before Brownhill completed his hat trick with two quick-fire scores.

The visitors conceded a penalty, and were reduced to nine men in the aftermath, before Berry bagged himself his third from the spot.

Brownhill finished off his five-goal rout with two late goals to put last week’s defeat to table-topping Knutsford out of Rylands’ mind and cheer boss Dave Parr.

“I was really pleased with our performance today as we kept our shape, discipline and the movement off the ball was excellent,” said the manager.

“It doesn’t matter what is happening with the opposition, although at times it is difficult to stay focused when they lose discipline "The important thing was to stick to our way of playing, and I thought we did that.

“I’m pleased for Joel who has played well lately and is getting a rewards with goals.

“But this was a team performance and a good response to last week’s defeat at Knutsford.”

Rylands: Moor, Finch, Gibson, Sinker, Wilson, Tierney, Latham, Clements, Berry, Brownhill, Jennings. Subs: Williams, Freeman, Southern.