Rylands

RYLANDS held title-chasing Linotype CHN to a goalless draw in the Cheshire League Premier Division on Saturday.

The Rylands manager said: “I thought we were excellent against a strong team who are challenging for the title.

“We defended very well as a unit and our attacking play was inventive and we deserved more than a point from the game.

“Some really good performances all over the pitch with the central defenders in particular standing out.

“We are on a good run of form at the moment and we are looking to continue this through the remaining games of the season.”

In an entertaining game, despite the 0-0 scoreline, the blues can consider themselves a little unlucky not to claim a victory after enjoying the greater possession and carving out the better opportunities, culminating in a great chance in injury time for leading goal scorer Joel Brownhill who placed his shot inches wide when clear on goal.

It was the home side who created the first chance after just three minutes when Dave Berry raced beyond the Cheadle defence from Brownhill’s pass only to shoot tamely at the visiting Inter League keeper, Aaron Tyrer.

At the other end Grandison headed straight at Andy Moor in the Rylands’ goal when well placed inside the penalty area.

After 13 minutes Berry fired a free kick over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after Brownhill had been hauled down.

Rylands were on top at this point and James Daniels forced a smart save from Tyrer from a snapshot before Dykes headed over from a Southern corner kick.

Little had been seen of the visitors in an attacking force but close to the interval they had a great chance to take the lead but Grandison headed wide.

Linotype began the second period in more determined fashion and Moor had to be alert to save before the returning James Sinker scrambled the ball clear.

Moments later a superb passing move involving Brownhill, Wilson and Berry saw Daniels race clear on goal but the advancing Tyrer saved well.

Both sides pushed hard for a decisive goal and Moor again had to be alert to save a Grandison effort before substitute Ben Brownhill fired a fierce shot inches wide of the Cheadle goal.

In the final minute another crisp exchange of passes between Brownhill and Southern saw the Rylands’ striker race clear on goal only to push his shot agonisingly wide of the Cheadle goal.

Rylands: Moor, Sinker, Gibson, Wilson, Dykes, Brown, Berry (B Brownhill 72mins), Southern, Daniels (S Bell 82mins), Latham (Clements 76mins), J Brownhill. Subs not used: Tierney, Ajayi.

Eagle Sports

That draw played into the hands of Eagle Sports, who remain a firm title contender as they beat Styal 7-2 to go six points behind leaders Knutsford, beaten 4-3 at Whaley Bridge, with five games in hand.

Ged McAllister scored four, while Lee Boardman, Nathan Williams and Owen Ellis also struck on a good day for the Warrington side.

Styal’s goals came from Stewart Maylett and Ben Mellor.

The home side fell behind after only three minutes when the Styal midfielder was allowed the room to finish past Neil McDermott into the bottom corner.

Rob Hope's side then began to play and were level soon after when Danny Burthem supplied the pass for Ged McAllister to finish after one on one with the visiting goalkeeper.

McAllister then put the home side ahead when finished well from a tight angle after Jay Waldron caught the home side sleeping with a quick long throw.

Nathan Williams then added a third for Eagle with a back-post header following Richard Chinn's assist from Danny Nixon's cross.

McAllister completed his hat-trick before the break with another one on one finish past the Styal keeper to give Eagle a 4-1 lead.

The visitors gave themselves brief hope five minutes into the second half when the winger finished well into the top corner past McDermott, however, this was soon cancelled out when Lee Boardman tapped into an empty net following McAllister' s assist.

McAllister added a sixth from close range before the goal of the day from the home side.

A move which started with McDermott in the Eagle goal and after passes from Adam Coleman, Danny Nixon and finally Ged McAllister, Owen Ellis coolly finished past the keeper to give the home side a 7-2 win on the day.

Eagle: McDermott, R Bishop, N Williams, Shakeshaft, Chinn, Nixon, Waldron, Hope, L Boardman, McAllister, Burthem. Subs: Quirk, Coleman, Ellis.

Greenalls PSO

Greenalls shared six goals with Poynton in a 3-3 draw on the road.

League One

Grappenhall Sports finished their League One games with a 3-1 win away at Daten as Ryan Crawford, Tom Swann and Dan Sisson all scored, while John Johnston scored a late consolation for Daten.

Warrington Town Reserves were beaten 4-1 by Middlewich Town.

Reserve League Cup

In the Reserve Division League Cup, Denton Town denied Eagle Sports late on in a 1-1 draw.

Eagle were forced to settle for a point after a late own goal cost them the chance to take all three points at Denton.

Despite a poor first-half performance, Eagle looked to be heading for the points thanks to an Andy Dawson goal but, from a free kick, a cross was unfortunately turned into his own net by Jackson Heywood, leaving McCoy in the Eagle goal with no chance.

The points sees Eagle complete their group stage top on goal difference but Grappenhall Sports and Pilkington winning their games in hand would mean that Eagle fail to reach the knockout.

Eagle: McCoy, S Robinson, Gibson, G Williams, Stephenson, Hanson, Maher, R Hall, Wearing, Dawson, Stratulis. Subs: Heywood, Gatenby, Atkinson, Barrett.

Reserve League One

Greenalls PSO beat Billinge 3-0 in Reserve League One, while Styal and Rylands drew 2-2.

Grappenhall Sports and Daten also shared the points in their Warrington derby as Joe Sandbach scored twice for Grappenhall and Gareth Pashley and Sean Wall hit home for Daten.

Reserve League Two

In Reserve League Two, Pilkington moved six points clear at the top of the table after beating Moore United 6-0 at home.