Warrington Rylands' 2020-21 season so far

IF we thought 2019-20 was bad enough, it is safe to say 2020-21 has been a season like no other.

Following the heartbreak of 2019-20 – when the Covid-19 pandemic brought the season to a shuddering halt with the team second in the NWCFL Premier Division on the cusp of promotion to the Northern Premier League – Rylands returned undeterred for 2020-21 rebranded as Warrington Rylands 1906 Football Club.

Emerging from the first national lockdown into a unique, mainly behind-closed-doors pre-season programme, Rylands kicked off the new season playing the first game under their new moniker away at 1874 Northwich on September 1 in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round.

An away game against the only team ahead of them in the table when the previous season was halted was not an easy assignment.

However, watched by a Covid-19 restricted capacity crowd of 300, Rylands won 6-1.

Star of the show was Steve Milne who marked his debut in blue with a hat-trick. Andy Scarisbrick scored twice and Kane Drummond once to complete a memorable start to the new season.

The Rylands players celebrate their 6-1 FA Cup dismantling of 1874 Northwich. Picture by Mark Percy

Milne was the difference-maker in the next round when Rylands hosted Northern Premier League Division One’s Clitheroe in the preliminary round on Saturday, September 12.

In front of a 275-strong crowd, Milne struck the game’s only goal in the second half of a 1-0 win.

Rylands kicked off their Buildbase FA Vase the following Saturday away at NWCFL First Division Daisy Hill.

Progress was made with a resounding 5-2 win, with Drummond leading the way with two goals while Freddie Potter, Tom Freeman and Charlie Doyle netted one apiece.

Tuesday, September 22, saw Rylands make the long trip to Northern Premier League side Whitby Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round.

Playing behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions in the north east, Rylands almost took the lead in the opening minutes, having a penalty saved and a goal disallowed.

Completely outplaying their hosts, they took the lead in the 48th minute through Scarisbrick but their hearts were broken when Whitby equalised with the last kick of the game.

Andy Scarisbrick scores against Whitby. Picture by Mark Percy

A joyful coach trip home followed, however, thanks to a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win.

October opened on the 3rd with probably the biggest game in the club’s history as the BBC’s cameras rolled into Gorsey Lane for the FA Cup second qualifying round against National League side York City.

Broadcast live to the nation and played in front of a sold-out, Covid-restricted crowd of 300 in monsoon conditions, Rylands were more than a match for their illustrious visitors.

Despite having more of the play and the better of the chances, even hitting the post with a penalty, it was the visitors who took the spoils with a goal minutes before half time.

Rylands' FA Cup journey was ended by National League North side York City in front of the BBC Sport cameras at Gorsey Lane. Picture by Mark Percy

Rylands finally got their NWCFL campaign under way on Wednesday, October 7, visiting Northwich Victoria.

Twice coming from behind with goals from Potter and Scarisbrick, they eventually got their league season off to a winning start as a Callum Lees goal clinched a 3-2 win.

Callum Lees heads home the winner in Blues' league opener at Northwich Victoria. Picture by Mark Percy

Saturday, October 10, saw a return to cup action with the visit of Northern Counties East side Goole to Gorsey Lane in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

The Yorkshiremen were hit for six as Paul Shanley (2), Drummond (2), Milne and Potter got on the scoresheet in a 6-0 romp.

A late Shanley penalty was the difference as Rylands beat Avro 1-0 at home in the league on Tuesday, October 13, before a scheduled trip to Bootle the following Saturday was postponed due to extra Covid restrictions in Merseyside.

Sam Sheen’s first goal for the club rescued a point for Rylands in their next league assignment at Winsford United on October 21 as they came from behind to draw 1-1, before further Covid restrictions put paid to their scheduled visit to Longridge Town on October 24.

The lay-off did them no harm as they roared back into action three days later, hammering Whitchurch Alport 7-1 in a league game at Gorsey Lane.

New signing Elliot Nevitt opened his scoring account with a debut goal while captain Gary Kenny scored his first of the season. Freeman also found the net and both Drummond and Shanley bagged a brace as Rylands ascended to top spot in the Premier Division.

Further progress was made in the FA Vase on October 31 when a double from Nevitt at Gorsey Lane dispatched Padiham 2-0 in the first round.

Elliot Nevitt nets one of his two goals against Padiham. Picture by Mark Percy

Nevitt was also on target with the third goal in a 3-0 win at Congleton Town on November 3, with Drummond and Doyle having scored in the first half of a game which turned out to be Rylands’ last for over a month as the country went into a second national lockdown.

Non-elite football started to re-emerge at the start of December with the second round of the FA Vase – the draw for which gave Rylands an away tie at Northern League side Jarrow.

Originally scheduled for December 5, Rylands headed to the north east for a second time in the season a week later after the pitch was unplayable due to heavy rain on the original date.

In a game very similar to the Whitby match, Rylands dominated and took the lead though Doyle just after half time before the home side equalised deep into stoppage time. Once again, they held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 5-4.

Keeper Graeme McCall is mobbed after saving the decisive penalty in the FA Vase penalty shoot-out win at Jarrow. Picture by Mark Percy

The reward for winning at Jarrow was another away tie in the third round, this time closer to home against NWCFL Premier Division rivals Longridge Town on December 19.

With spectators still not permitted at grounds in Lancashire, the game was switched to Gorsey Lane where goals from Drummond and Nevitt saw Rylands through 2-1.

The FA Vase fourth round draw rewarded Rylands with another away game in the North East against Shildon.

Kane Drummond scores the opener in the 2-1 FA Vase win over Longridge. Picture by Mark Percy

The festive fixture at Runcorn Town on Bank Holiday Monday – December 28 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and, for now, that’s where it ended with Warrington Rylands 1906 sitting second in the NWCFL Premier Division table, three points behind leaders Avro with three games in hand.

On New Year’s Eve, the NWCFL announced all fixtures would be suspended until further notice before all non-elite sport was suspended due to the country entering the latest national lockdown on January 4, leaving clubs, supporters, officials and fans waiting for the return of their favourite sport.

2020/21 STATS

P W D L GF GA

League record 5 4 1 0 15 4

Cup record 9 8 0 1 24 7

Overall 14 12 1 1 39 11

Leading goal scorers

Kane Drummond – 9

Ste Milne – 6

Paul Shanley – 5

Kane Drummond was Blues' top goalscorer so far this season having struck nine times. Picture by Mark Percy

Attendances

Average attendance –164

Highest attendance – 300 (vs York City)