Warrington Rylands manager David McNabb has apologised to the fans following their 3-0 defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.
It was an afternoon to forget for Rylands as they were left disappointed in their Northern Premier League – Premier Division opener against Trinity.
The hosts got off to a nightmare start conceding from their kick-off when Stephen Irwin was dispossessed before Tom Cursons squared it to Jack Dyche.
Andrew Wright added a second from the penalty spot after Adam Buxton was penalised for handball. Clayton Donaldson then nodded home after the restart from an in-swinging free-kick.
Rylands enjoyed a lot of possession but it was a relatively easy afternoon for Matt Yates. Ryan Brooke was a whisker away from levelling the score but his effort sailed over.
Then Kane Drummond had one of their best opportunities when his looping volley was well saved by Yates, tipping over the bar in the first-half.
McNabb believes the defeat could be the wake-up call that his side need. He told Off The Park: “It’s wake-up call isn’t it, we’ve come into the game wanting to try and win the game but I think we’ve made mistake after mistake and we’ve been punished for it.
MATCH REPORT: Warrington Rylands 0-3 Gainsborough Trinity
“It’s a wake-up call for the lads and it might be the best result we could’ve had. We’ve seen signs of it in pre-season where we’ve been a little bit lacklustre and made mistakes and we’ve punished for it today.
“Gainsborough are a good side, play percentages well, work the ball well in spells as well, hopefully we’re going to learn from it and take it into Tuesday.
“We’ve said into the lads grow into the game because there’s going to be nerves, a little bit of excitement and within 10 seconds we’re 1-0 down. The handball’s ridiculous and the decision to give away the free-kick for the third is ridiculous as well. It’s not good enough.”
The Rylands boss admitted he was left embarrassed following their display. On his feelings after the match, he added: “Disappointment really, a little bit embarrassed.
“The way we’ve been supported behind the scenes that the management staff and the players get in terms of the way we’ve been looked after, everything is provided for us to go out and do our job.
“I think we’ve let the club and the fans down today, I just want to apologise really to everyone who came and watched the game.
“There’s got to be some home truths, people need to know what’s expected of them and where they fell short,” McNabb continued, detailing his post-match teamtalk. “Even the second half, we huffed and puffed we started then we conceded the third.
“I thought we give up a little bit as well last 15-20 minutes, again I was disappointed. Look, the lads know what’s expected of them and hopefully we can turn it around on Tuesday.”
Despite their dominance in possession, the amount of clearcut chances for the hosts was reduced to a handful. McNabb said: “Some of the football we played in the middle third was good. I thought we moved the ball well then the final third we just fell to pieces a little bit, we had a couple of chances where we could’ve scored but it’s all ifs, buts or maybe’s.”
The turnaround for Rylands is quick as they travel to Nantwich Town on Tuesday, another stern and experienced team at Northern Premier League level.
“Just as tough a game on Tuesday night away from home, it’s going to be a tough one hopefully the weather is a little bit kinder but ultimately, the lads need to want it.
“We need to try get back on track and hopefully pick up three points there and then.
“It’s hard and I’m not trying to dig individuals out but we made mistakes which have cost us goals today. You can’t coach or account for that. I think we need to be a little bit more clinical in both boxes and sometimes be a little bit smarter.
“Gainsborough have had a really good gameplan, they’ve come here and executed it perfectly. Everything that they did around percentages was perfect and we were a little bit naive,” McNabb concluded.
