Press Report 12th September

Premier Division

Rylands won their game in hand to move into second place as they beat Gamesley 2-1 away to leap frog their opponents. The first half didn't have much in terms of chances for either side, with only speculative efforts to report. The game was a real battle with both midfields competing well to try and take control of the match.
Rylands started brighter in the second half and were beginning to get some control, they were much more of a threat going forward. On the hour mark they were rewarded when a fine team move involving four players led to Josh Dagley crossing well for Ben Howard to head home a brilliant looping header from 15 yards.

Soon after it was 2-0 when Tom Swann bent a superb curling free kick into the top corner from 25 yards. Rylands were on top and creating more chances now but at the same time, Gamesley were more threatening as the game opened up. A goal mouth scramble was the closest the home side came until Jamie Baker scored in injury time to make it 2-1.

Malpas slip down to fifth after a 2-1 defeat away at Whaley Bridge. After a heavy downpour the game got going at a fast pace. Whaley looked to play the long ball which was easily dealt with by the Malpas defence. As the half came to an end, a good header from Eddie Barlow picked out Chris Ingall to slot the ball through to Alex Hughes who made no mistake as he fired home from the right to make it 1-0 Malpas at the break.

Whaley rushed out of the blocks in the second half and the movement of Joe Burgess was becoming a problem for their opposition. Malpas struggled to get a foot hold in the game and the home side got a deserved goal when Terrence Butler fired home on 65 minutes to level the scores. Whaley Bridge missed chances as Malpas lost shape and at the other end a few half chances did not fall for Alex Hughes and Chris Ingall.

Whaley Bridge took the lead in the 72nd minute when a free kick did not work for Malpas, finding themselves short and out of position and leaving Joe Burgess to finish well, firing home low into the right hand corner for 2-1.

Greenalls PSO took the lead at Rudheath Social in the 40th minute when Ben Slater hit home from the penalty spot after Lee Vaughan was brought down by Jason Currie in the Rudheath net. At the other end, a mix up between the Greenalls defence allowed Andy Whitney to expertly lob Connor Yarwood in the Greenalls net to put Rudheath back on level terms at the break.

Within two minutes of the restart, Greenalls were 3-1 ahead after great work between Vaughan and Ellis James sent a cross to meet Lee Deakin unmarked at the back post. This was followed up with Deakin sending the ball to the near post to meet Mark Hughes’ run and allow the striker to finish with ease, doubling Greenalls lead. 15 minutes later Deakin scored directly from a corner to make it 4-1.

Rudheath created a nervy last ten minutes when Nathan Whitlow pounced on a rebound to make it 4-2 but Greenalls held on for the win.

Styal moved away from the drop zone after they drew 1-1 away at Garswood United, while the home side sit in tenth spot.

League One

Daten secured their first win of the season as they beat Pilkington away 3-0, while Shaun Arrowsmith and Paul Williams scored in Altrincham Reserves’ 2-0 home win over Tarporley Victoria.

Billinge created a bit of breathing space between them and Golborne Sports in third as they finished 4-3 winners at home against Maine Road Reserves. Billinge kicked off and instantly tested Maine Road out wide with a long ball over the top that found their number 11. A scuffed clearance fell to a Billinge player on the edge of the box and he sent the ball crashing into the top corner to give the home side the lead.

Two minutes later and Maine Road were back on level terms from a corner as powerful header from Jack Shiels forced a smart save from the Billinge keeper. Adam Savill pounced on the rebound to slot home for 1-1.

Billinge took the lead again on the half hour mark as their number 10 fed the 9 who finshed well, giving the Maine Road keeper no chance.
The home side increased the pressure and doubled their lead just before the half hour mark when the Billinge number 7 waltzed through the midfield unchallenged, before unselfishly squaring the ball for number 10 who finished well.
In the 63rd minute, a well struck Tommy Johnson free kick is well saved but Osbourne reacted quicker than the Billinge defence and slotted home the rebound to make it 3-2
Seven minutes later Billinge made it 4-2 when a free header at the far post from a corner finds the back of the net.
Maine Road pulled a goal back in the 90th minute as a Nick Osbourne free kick was well met by the head of Andrew Cochrane to make it 4-3.

League Two

Lostock Gralam moved four points clear at the top of league two after beating Litherland Remyca 4-0 at home. Dan Martin broke the deadlock in the first half, ghosting past two defenders to curl a divine shot into the back of the net. Litherland had no reply and were soon 2-0 down when Josh Clark raced through to smash the ball home after some fantastic build up play.

Nathan Tickle’s diving header made it 3-0, before Darren Fox fired a sublime free kick past the stricken keeper to complete the scoring.

Mersey Valley sit in fifth spot after an end to end 5-3 win away at West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves. Ollie Riley and Gary Wood both grabbed a brace while Kyle Watson also hit home. Ben Steer scored a hat trick for West Didsbury.

Reserve League One

Whaley Bridge extended their winning streak to six games as they secured a 1-0 win away at Eagle Sports. Tom Scorer hit home on the half hour mark to bag his 100th goal for Whaley Bridge.

Poynton moved up to third place with a 4-2 win at home against Billinge. Conor Glass, Matt Tattler, Kyle Woodward and Jack Roberts all scored in the first half for Poynton and Billinge’s goals were scored by Tom Rooney and Chris Duffy.

Ken Maher was in form as he bagged a hat trick in Sandbach United’s 5-2 win at Styal. Kris Stockton and Ryan Simmons also scored for the away side, while Matt Clarke and Jordan Ecclestone scored for Styal.

Reserve League Cup

Rylands moved to the top of group C as they won their second cup game, beating Gamesley 5-1 at home, while Knutsford A made it three wins in three, beating Middlewich Town 3-1 away through goals from Henry Scutt (2) and Matt Davies.

Reserve League Two

Denton Town currently sit in second place after a convincing 7-4 win away at West Didsbury & Chorlton A, while Wythenshawe Town won 4-1 away at Cuddington.

Moore United took no prisoners as they stormed to a 6-1 win away at Mersey Valley Development Squad where Sam Howard and Ed Bryers both scored a hat trick.

The other game of the day saw Malpas move up to sixth spot after beating Golborne Sports 3-2 at home.