Warrington Rylands manager David McNabb was has praised his side’s ‘exceptional’ performances as they increase pressure at the top.
The fiercely competed clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Marine saw Rylands come out on top after second-half goals from Andy Webb and Callum Dolan dented the Mariners title chances.
Andy Scarisbrick and Kane Drummond inflicted further damage on Tuesday night as they rose to see off Colne to stretch their winning run to four.
As a result of recent wins and results elsewhere, Rylands have firmly established themselves in the race for promotion with their eye on league-leaders Workington.
But for McNabb, he couldn’t laud his players enough after battling through two difficult trips to Rossett Park and Holt House.
“They’ve been really good in general, against Marine we started a bit nervously but built into the game. There were moments where Marine were completely on top and penned us in so then you’re looking for a different type of performance then and we defended really well, so really pleased overall,” he told Off The Park.
“On Tuesday, it was really tough we’ve had to change the squad a lot. We’ve had six, seven lads working or injured so that’s changed things then losing Bucko [Adam Buxton] after 10 minutes made it really difficult.
“But again, Colne it’s a tough place to go, tough home side, good home form, we went there and first half we weren’t brilliant on the ball but second half we were much better, got the goal early, settled us down, and then went onto win the game comfortably.
“I don’t want to be overly critical with the first half performance on Tuesday but over the two games I think we’ve been exceptional, made up we’ve got the six points.”
McNabb described the top-of-the-table clash with Marine as the perfect performance after their two second half goals.
Despite pressure from Neil Young’s side, skipper Graeme McCall was only forced into action on a handful of occasions including his reflex save to tip George Newell’s effort onto the post from 10-yards out.
He added: “Didn’t feel comfortable from where I was, the first half was a bit cagey, a bit stop-start it was a difficult game for the referee but I do think he stopped it more than he needed to.
“We had a really good chance, thought we should’ve had a penalty as well, I couldn’t see their claim but looking back at the VEO that was a penalty as well so that’s a penalty apiece. Second half, I think we stepped it up, got that early goal which really helped then I think we controlled the game really well.
“Yes, Marine had a lot of the ball and was attacking, as you’d expect from a team trying to get back into the game at 1-0, the second goal was really, really goal and finished off a perfect performance.
On the Colne win, the FA Vase-winning manager continued: “Andy’s [Scarisbrick] was a really good goal, great move, cut inside, he probably could’ve done better with the first finish – the keepers made a good save – come back to him – then the second attempt a header into the top corner was really composed, so a great goal.
“Second one Kane’s [Drummond] brought it out of the sky, unbelievable first touch, then finished it into the far corner. Two good goals, really pleased we just need to keep pushing on now take that into Saturday.”
It’s another away clash for Rylands as they go to Kidsgrove Athletic, who currently sit just outside the relegation play-off position but McNabb isn’t overlooking their opponents.
“Absolutely not [pushovers], Kidsgrove is a really, really tough place to go. The crowd can be intimidating, they’ve got some technically exceptional players and then a lot of young players around them who won’t give up, they’ll keep working their way through.
“Obviously they’re got a lot to play for now they’re sort of at the wrong end of the table. I was very impressed with them [last time they met], it was probably one of our best performances in terms of possession and at home we were impressed with them, how they set up, some of the football they played. It’s going to be a tough, tough game we’re going into it with confidence but also aware they can hurt us.
“I think any run at any stage of the season can be massive. It’s hard to win two-three games on the bounce, never mind four and five. I know Workington are on a great run, Marine have done it in the past, we’re trying to do it now, I don’t think you can start to look at five or six game, it’s just the next game and try pick up the three points.”
[Featured image: Warrington Rylands – Mark Percy]
