“TO be successful, you need to try and win in different ways.”

Dave McNabb watched his Warrington Rylands side do just that in a league and cup double at Gorsey Lane this week.

A 6-0 hammering of Goole AFC in the FA Vase was followed by a tight and nervy 1-0 win over Avro in their first home North West Counties League Premier Division game of the season.

With Saturday’s scheduled opponents Bootle shutting down all football operations for two weeks due to tightened Covid-19 restrictions in the Liverpool area, Blues must now wait until Wednesday for their next game – a league trip to Winsford United.

“At this level, you’re always going to have a little bit of inconsistency,” McNabb said.

“You’ve got lads doing a full shift at work before coming to play a midweek game after a really tough run.

“We’ve played some good teams on some really heavy pitches over the last four or five weeks so its tough on the legs.

“On Saturday, we used class. We were really good on the ball and off it, hunting in packs to try and win the ball back.

“On Tuesday, it wasn’t pretty and there were things we could and should have done better but the lads haven’t given up.

“They’ve believed in themselves and each other and got the important goal towards the end.”

Paul Shanley was the hero against Avro, converting a late penalty to ensure the game ended in his side’s favour.

Indeed he could have doubled his tally in a similar manner in injury time but blazed another spot kick over the crossbar.

McNabb admits the game was “not one for the purists” and said his side were guilty of “trying to force things” in attack.

“It was a game we knew would be tough going into it,” he said.

“We’ve had Avro watched a couple of times this season and we’ve been impressed with them.

“They set up to try and limit our attacking intent and I think we were a bit sloppy in possession at times. We were trying to force things instead of being patient.

“It was a good, physical game and a really good battle.

“It wasn’t really one for the purists but we came through in the end and got the three points, which is the main thing.”

Shanley was also on target on Saturday as he hit the net twice to help Rylands progress to the first round proper of the FA Vase.

Warrington Guardian:

Paul Shanley scores against Goole on Saturday. Picture by Mark Percy

Kane Drummond also bagged a brace, with Freddie Potter and Stephen Milne adding to the goals against Goole to book a date with divisional rivals Padiham on October 31.

Crucially, Blues have been drawn as the home side in that tie and while it gives them an advantage of playing in familiar surroundings, McNabb knows it will not be an easy game.

“Sometimes its interesting to play teams from other leagues as its something a bit different,” he said.

“We’ve got a home draw and that’s big for us as we’ll be a little bit more comfortable.

“Padiham are a really good side and have started the season particularly well.

“We watched their results in pre-season with interest and some of them were very good.

“It will be a tough game but we’re looking forward to it.”