Rylands 2 Congleton Vale 2

(Rylands win 5-4 on penalties)

SATURDAY saw Rylands reach the JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup Final via a dramatic last-four win at Congleton Vale.

Opponents Congleton Vale held them to a 2-2 draw in normal time at Gorsey Lane, but Blues triumphed in a penalty shoot-out.

Steve Hayes’ side go on to face Whaley Bridge in the final, which will be played tomorrow, Wednesday, at Trafford FC.

"We put in a tremendous performance against a very good Congleton side,” Hayes said.

“Even though we won it on penalties, I thought we thoroughly deserved the win.

“Full credit to both sets of players for putting on such a good spectacle in difficult conditions.

“We look forward a quick turnaround to the final on Wednesday night.”

It was Congleton who took an early lead through Aaron Cooke, but the advantage lasted only 10 minutes.

Moments after Euan Woods had crashed a drive against the crossbar, a free kick was not dealt with and Rhys Bowers acrobatically equalised.

Blues then took the lead just three minutes after the interval when Congleton again failed to clear a set piece, with Bowers reacting quickest to stab home the loose ball.

Rylands could not kill the game off, however, and Damon Oakes equalised to send the tie to penalties.

Blues keeper Conor Yarwood saved the second penalty he faced, while his teammates converted all five of their spot-kicks to send them into the final.

Tomorrow’s final kicks off at 7.45pm.

Rylands: Yarwood, Ball, Sinker, Hayes, Williams, France, Woods, Lambert, Bowers, Vaughan (Wan), Staniszewski (Howard).