Warrington Rylands victory gives Lancaster City third straight win

Lancaster City’s undefeated run in the Northern Premier League now sits at six games.

The Dolly Blues have now won their last three, after a first half performance at the Giant Axe which Warrington Rylands simply could not handle.

For the first half the majority of attacking play was from the Dolly Blues and an electric start from Steven Yawson, after some neat link up play om the left by Dom Lawson and Nathan Caine and in the box Yawson fired in a shot, which was stopped between Luke Pilling and Matty Regan.

Lancaster City continued to pile on the pressure, peppering the box with crosses which just could not be converted to chances, before the opening goal came on 23 minutes.

Dylan Thompson from the back played a ball to Nathan Caine and with a through ball set Yawson away on a foot race against Clive Smith. The forward cut in from the left and his sumptuous curling effort left Rylands goalkeeper Luke Pilling rooted to the spot for a well deserved lead.

The hosts were on the hunt for a second and chances were flowing. Bobby Bjork crossed the ball to Nathan Caine but his header was over the bar, and then that man Yawson was at it again, driving into the box, trying to force a space for a shot. He was blocked but the ball fell to Sam Bailey and his shot from 25 yards out flew over the bar.

At other end Adam Caddick fired over for the visitors before the Dollies doubled their lead on 34 minutes.

It was captain Sam Bailey who had the ball on the right hand side, switching play to Charlie Bailey and from the left, he cut inside and fired the ball home.

A tactical change gave Rylands the advantage for what was left of the half, Brad Kelly forced into a couple of saves from Tunde Owalabi.

The second half saw the visitors came out the starting blocks the fastest. Ben Hardcastle picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward, but his shot was just wide of the post. The best chance for them came on 62 minutes, a corner came in and between Tunde Owalabi and Matty Regan, the ball came back off the crossbar before being hooked away.

Substitute Jim Craig got a shot off which was blocked, with the rebound landing at the feet of Nathan Caine but his shot was high and wide. Then Matty Clarke was played in by Craig, his shot was well held by Pilling and Charlie Bailey's effort to double his tally was cleared.

In the closing stages, Ben Hough broke into the box for the visitors and he poked his effort just wide, but good game management gave Lancaster City their third league win in a row to move to within goal difference of FC United of Manchester at the top of the table.

Next up for the Dolly Blues is another home game, against Ilkeston Town on Saturday 13th September with a 3pm kick off.