WITH their big FA Cup trip to Whitby Town looming large on the horizon, it would have been easy for minds to wander at Warrington Rylands.
When they fell behind in the early stages of their FA Vase first qualifying round tie at Daisy Hill on Saturday, that looked to be the case.
However, Dave McNabb’s side rebounded strongly to win 5-2 as Kane Drummond netted twice to secure their progress and send them on the long trip to the Yorkshire coast on Tuesday with spirits high.
McNabb’s warnings against complacency at the outset were well-timed as Daisy Hill caught Rylands with a sucker punch in the fourth minute.
After a well-worked move, Rylands failed to clear and Matt Davison lashed the ball past Graeme McCall to open the scoring and put the home side in front.
Five minutes later, Rylands had settled the deficit and got themselves back on terms in the tie.
Adam Jones picked the ball up on the right flank and made a lovely cross into the box, which was headed home by Tom Freeman.
From here, Rylands continued to apply pressure on the Daisy Hill defence with Jones seeing success down the right side and Freeman enjoying lots of space down the left.
They got their reward for the industry shown with a lovely goal from Charlie Doyle – a chip played over the defence found Drummond, who recycled the ball to Doyle and the tireless midfielder drove a beauty into the bottom corner.
As the second half got underway, Rylands continued to press on their opponents with Freddie Potter and Drummond linking up well.
Within the first 15 minutes of the second half, Potter had tested the keeper twice and Elliott Morris drew a foul outside the box on 58 minutes.
The resulting free kick was taken by Drummond, who placed the ball perfectly in the top corner of the net and beat the keeper all ends up.
Three minutes later, Rylands were at it again as a well-worked move saw the ball played in for Morris who nodded it backwards towards Potter.
He shaped and hit it perfectly, rippling the net with a lovely volley to extend Rylands’ lead to three goals.
From this point, Rylands were dominant and camped in the half of Daisy Hill until they got what they were hunting for on 75 minutes.
Connor Reddy got the ball on the left and crossed for Potter who flicked it neatly to the onrushing Drummond, who made no mistake as he scored from six yards.
Four minutes later, Daisy Hill scored what proved to be an impressive consolation goal having worked the ball forward from a clearance.
The play was switched well and Tom Jackson was in position to beat the outstretched arms of McCall.
Report by Dave Burley, pictures by Mark Percy
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here