ANOTHER lightning-fast start proved crucial as Warrington Rylands picked up another home victory this afternoon.

They were 2-0 up inside 11 minutes against 1874 Northwich as Andy Scarisbrick and Kane Drummond struck.

Adam Buxton added a third goal midway through the second half as Blues wrapped up a 3-1 victory, with Markell Foulds pulling one back for the visitors.

Dave McNabb's side remain third in the NPL West table but close the gap on leaders Workington, who were not in action, to just three points.

Read Garry Clarke's full match report below

A CLINICAL display by Warrington Rylands allowed Blues to keep up the pressure on the league leaders as they beat 1874 Northwich 3-1 in the all-Cheshire clash at Gorsey Lane.

Although 1874 had the first chances of the game, Rylands opened the scoring in the third minute when a sweeping passing movement ended with Kane Drummond crossing for Andy Scarisbrick to open the scoring with a simple tap-in.

Warrington Guardian:

Andy Scarisbrick scores the opener. Picture by Mark Percy

1874’s Jamie Reed flashed a header inches wide of the target from a Lucas Weir free kick in the fifth minute before Scarisbrick and Drummond combined for a second time.

Winning possession on the halfway line, Scarisbrick broke away to feed Drummond, who drilled his shot past the keeper.

Warrington Guardian:

Kane Drummond celebrates Blues' second goal. Picture by John Hopkins

Having controlled the majority of the opening minutes, Rylands allowed 1874 to gain more of a foothold in the game and they nearly pulled a goal back in the 23rd minute when Graeme McCall saved well to keep out a shot from Joe Woolley.

Moments later, Dave Webb flashed a shot across the face of 1874’s goal

The closing stages of the half became scrappy as neither side could gain control of the game.

1874 started the second half the better of the two teams, with Markell Foulds heading over and McCall tipping a Reed free kick over the bar.

Warrington Guardian:

Graeme McCall was busy in the early stages of the second half. Picture by John Hopkins

From the resultant corner, McCall brilliantly denied 1874 twice with two saves at point blank range.

Rylands extended their lead in the 65th minute when with all the grace of a ballet dancer, Adam Buxton met a Declan Walker corner with a mid-air back heel flick worthy of Swan Lake to direct the ball through the hands of the 1874 goalkeeper into the net.

Warrington Guardian:

Adam Buxton prepares to flick home the third goal. Picture by Mark Percy

The visitors grabbed a consolation goal in the 72nd minute when Foulds got free at the far post to head home from a corner.

Rylands had a couple of chances to increase their lead in the closing stages, with 1874 goalkeeper Tony Aghayere saving well to deny Drummond and Scarisbrick.