DAVID Webb made the difference for a second game running as Warrington Rylands picked up perhaps the biggest result of their season.
The midfielder's free kick just after half time helped Dave McNabb's side victory at league leaders Marine, who had won nine of their 10 home league games.
Callum Dolan's late second secured the points for Blues, who remain third in the NPL West Division table but are now four points behind new leaders Workington.
Picture by Mark Percy
Watch both of Rylands' goals below
Ready to relive that moment once again?
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) January 16, 2022
Two superb goals in two games now for @David_Webb_66 and this is the opening goal against @MarineAFC in yesterday's @NorthernPremLge clash.
Enjoy....⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4gZmt3EEwX
Here's another Sunday sizzler from that man again Calum Dolan! This goal ensured we sealed all 3 points against @MarineAFC yesterday.
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) January 16, 2022
He's on fire 💥💥⚽️@NorthernPremLge pic.twitter.com/IMV5dvf6VV
Watch the post-match thoughts of Rylands boss Dave McNabb and goalscorer Callum Dolan below
Post Match with Dave McNabb! pic.twitter.com/NG7I2GWkdZ
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) January 15, 2022
And here’s the scorer of the second goal, Cal Dolan! pic.twitter.com/EYdEatw8qQ
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) January 15, 2022
Read Garry Clarke's full match report below
MARINE were the third team to face Warrington Rylands while sitting on top of the NPL West table and like Mossley and Workington before them, they were knocked off their perch.
Gaining revenge for a 4-1 defeat at Gorsey Lane earlier in the season, Rylands laid down a marker of their intent for the rest of the season by inflicting only the second home defeat of the season on the championship favourites.
Marine shaded a frantic and at times scrappy first half, in which two evenly matched teams largely cancelled each other out.
Playing a more direct game than their visitors, the home side had the better chances in the first half with Mark Howarth blazing a shot over the bar in the 15th minute while Neil Kengi and Owen Watkinson drew good saves from Graeme McCall.
Playing on the counter-attack. Rylands’ lively front line was causing the Marine defence all sorts of problems, with several shooting opportunities only being denied by last ditch tackling while goalkeeper Bayleigh Passant saved well with his feet to deny Callum Dolan and Kane Drummond.
Kane Drummond gets in behind the Marine defence. Picture by John Hopkins
As the half was drawing to a close, Rylands’ appeals for a penalty when Drummond was tripped were dismissed by referee Andy Sykes.
The complexion of the game changed two minutes into the second half when Rylands were awarded a free kick just outside the Marine penalty area.
Former Mariner David Webb stepped up to bend his free kick around the wall just out of the reach of Passant, who at full stretch could only fingertip it into the top corner of his net.
David Webb is mobbed after giving Blues the lead. Picture by John Hopkins
After Rylands had forced a couple of corners in quick succession shortly after the goal, the majority of the remainder of the second half was played facing the Rylands goal as wave after wave of Marine attack floundered on the rocks of a resolute Rylands defence.
When Marine managed to get past the blue-shirted defenders, they found McCall in no mood to surrender his clean sheet.
In the 61st minute, he pulled off a miraculous save at point blank range from George Newall.
Rylands almost extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Declan Walker worked a short corner routine with Drummond, which set up Walker to fire an angled drive into the roof of the net. Unfortunately, the linesman adjudged Walker to be offside.
Rylands made the game safe in the 84th minute – Dolan blocked an attempted clearance and working hard, he chased down the ball.
Holding off a defender, he cut inside and hammered a stunning drive past a helpless Passant into the roof of the net.
Callum Dolan shoots for goal. Picture by John Hopkins
Such is the tightness at the top of the table, Marine dropped to second, two points behind Workington, with Rylands still in third two points further back with Leek Town and Runcorn Linnets hot on their heels.
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