Star Sport
Rylands 1-2 Pilkington
10:07am Monday 20th February 2012
A welcome return to football action on Saturday saw Pilkington FC travel to Rylands, a ground where Pilkington have not won since 2007.
Looking to avenge their cup defeat there earlier in the season, a well organised defence and the dominant midfield trio of Elias, Lawton and Sephton allowed a very determined Pilkington to settle into their game very quickly.
It was on 10 minutes that the first chance came for Pilkington when Parr crossed from the right and Green shot over the bar.
With 20 minutes gone the breakthrough came for Pilkington when Lawton's pressing from midfield resulted in him stealing the ball from the Rylands centre half and he slotted calmly past the advancing keeper.
With Pilkington looking very impressive it was only a lapse in concentration that would let Rylands back into the game.
This came on 28 minutes when Tom White mis-controlled in the box and the ball fell to a Rylands forward who finished well.
This stunned Pilkington for 10 minutes and Rylands tried to wrestle control of the game but the defence stood firm and it was Pilkington who finished the half stronger with Ste Hill being denied from a few yards out by a good save from the Rylands keeper. Pilkington came out in the second half looking the stronger and again it was Lawton who broke into the box and put Pilkington ahead on 60 minutes.
Rylands pressed for the remaining of the game but a well organised Pilkington side meant that they were restricted to only one opening but a fine save from Pilkington Keeper Cameron kept Pilkington ahead.
Green could have settled the game with 5 minutes to go when a delicate through ball from Bennett put the Pilkington striker clear on goal but he failed to finish. But Pilkington held on to record a very impressive victory at a very difficult ground to visit.