MATCH PREVIEW: Reds seek first win v. Rylands
Although Warrington Rylands have completed just four seasons in the Northern Premier League, our rivalry seems to stretch back longer.
Since contesting the NPL West Division title during the 21-22 campaign, we have yet to register a win against Rylands with the four meetings to date resulted in two defeats at Gorsey Lane and two draws at Borough Park.
The rivalry came about during Rylands first campaign in the NPL when they pipped us to the West Division title on the final day of the season.
Reds needed to better Rylands result v. Bootle when we travelled to play bottom club Market Drayton Town. But both matches resulted in a draw and that was enough to secure the title for Warrington by one point!
Since then, they have established themselves in the Premier Division finishing 10th then, last season, 4th although they travel to Cumbria in the unfamiliar surroundings of 20th position after the opening half dozen fixtures.
They lost their opening three league games on home soil but certainly look more solid on their travels – and that’s no surprise after losing just once on the road throughout last season.
Reds are currently 10th in the early listings but know another tough ninety minutes awaits.
The squad will be boosted by the availability of recent signing Efe Ambrose who missed out on the FA Cup last week, having played earlier in the competition for previous club, Bury.
His arrival has caused great excitement within the club and it will be a special moment when the Nigerian international and former Celtic defender steps on to the Borough Park pitch in a red shirt.
After their first free mid-week, Reds are back on the Saturday/Tuesday routine and the Rylands fixture is quickly followed by a trip to the north east and a first encounter with Blyth Spartans since the ’16-17 season.
