Rylands 2 Malpas 0

RYLANDS’ unbeaten start to the season stretched to a fourth game on Saturday with a 2-0 victory against newly-promoted and previously unbeaten Malpas in the Cheshire League Premier Division.

Connor Anderson put the Blues ahead from the spot on eight minutes before Odi Koubemba doubled the advantage to take Rylands to second in the league with 10 points from four games.

It was Blues who started the better of the two teams, and after eight minutes Connor Anderson opened his account for the club from the spot after the Malpas keeper brought down Odi Koubemba in the box.

Both sides battled it out in the middle of the park throughout the match, but it was the hosts who had the better of possession, and after 25 minutes the lead was doubled when Koubemba turned on the edge of a crowded penalty area and fired a superb low drive in to the corner of the goal, leaving Tinsley in the Malpas goal with no chance.

Opportunities continued to come for the hosts and it should have been 3-0 just before half time when Anderson latched on to a poor defensive header, but he shot well over form 15 yards.

Rylands approached the second half looking to kill the game and keep hold of the ball. Malpas brought on Alex Hughes up front as they looked to find a way back in to the tie.

The hosts however continued to create opportunities, with Anderson, Tom Swann and Andy Williams all missing chances to put the game beyond any doubt.

Blues were almost made to pay for the missed opportunities, as Matt Latham had his first scare of the match in the 63rd minute, when Malpas opened Rylands up with a good interchange of play, but the winger’s cross/shot narrowly evaded the back post.

As the game drew to a close, the visitors continued to knock on the door and showed the spirit which had given them three wins from three in the games previous, but the hosts managed to keep Malpas at bay, restricting them to shots from distance which didn’t trouble Latham in goal.

Manager Danny Salt said: “I’m delighted with our performance, we were organised and committed throughout and created numerous opportunities on goal.

"I would like to thank Malpas for their professionalism after being delayed for the game, they turned up and gave us a really tough match and it’s easy to see why they won their opening three games.

"I’m sure that they will be fine this season and are a good addition to the division.

"Our squad has been tested recently with a huge number of injuries, but every player that we have called upon so far has done a job and performed excellently with is great credit to the squad that we’ve assembled this season.

"As ever, on behalf of the players and the management team I’d like to thank the number of supporters who again came out to get behind the lads.

"We really do appreciate it. We move on now to a tough away fixture at Eagle Sports on Tuesday night, in my first away derby as Rylands manager.”

Rylands: Matt Latham, Adam Hunter, Josh Dagley, James Sinker, Calum Wilson, Stephen Latham, Tom Swann, Ben Howard (Liam Barnett 75), Odilon Koubemba (Greg Freeman 67), Connor Anderson, Mike Southern (Andy Williams 57).