Crewe FC 1 Rylands 1

RYLANDS returned to Cheshire League action with a hard-fought and well-deserved point at high flying Crewe FC on Saturday.

In an entertaining game both sides played some attractive attacking football, with Rylands taking the lead through Joel Brownhill in the 17th minute only for Carr to level for the home side 10 minutes before the interval.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the second half, none more so than Rylands when Andy Williams saw his close-range effort superbly saved with virtually the last kick of the game.

Rylands manager Dave Parr said: “I was pleased with our performance against a good side, especially the second half when we looked the stronger side and perhaps should have taken all three points with some late chances.

“We expected Crewe to start well and we had to defend well as a team, starting with an excellent goalkeeping display from Andy Moor.

“Duffy and Dykes were immense throughout and the midfield worked hard in the second half to control the game.

“Our front two looked a real threat and it is encouraging that we made several clear chances as the game wore on.”

The home side started well and Andy Moor had to be alert to save a speculative effort from Pearson after just six minutes, before Carr headed over when well placed following a short corner routine.

Rylands had offered little at the other end other than a long-range drive from Brownhill which the Crewe keeper saved comfortably.

It was somewhat against the run of play when the away team took the lead after 17 minutes with a superb counter attack involving Lowe and Mike Southern.

Southern’s immaculate pass fell perfectly for Brownhill who easily beat the advancing keeper from ten yards out to net his 15th goal of the season.

The home side were stunned and Rylands almost added a second minutes later when Brownhill again saw a shot pass inches wide of the goal with the keeper stranded.

Gradually Crewe regained their composure and after a header from Tizzard had been well saved they equalised ten minutes before the break when Carr stabbed the ball home from close range following a free kick scramble.

The second half saw a much more determined performance from Rylands and both Lowe and Southern had efforts saved early in the half.

Tizzard forced Moor into another good save at the other end before Rylands were denied a penalty when Ben Latham was bundled over twenty minutes from time.

Moments later Crewe should have taken the lead when Everall evaded two challenges and crossed perfectly only for Pearson to incredibly fail to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

As both sides pushed hard for the winning goal, it was the visitors who finished the stronger and the home keeper made three superb saves from Latham, Southern and Brownhill within minutes of each other.

Deep into injury time Brownhill raced clear and crossed for Williams whose close-range shot was again brilliantly foiled by the Crewe stopper and a defender on the line.

Rylands: Moor, Gibson (Finch 80mins), Brown, Duffy, Dykes, Wilson (Freeman 80mins), Lowe, Latham, Brownhill, Jennings (Williams 62mins), Southern.