By Tony Bennett · Published November 2022
Egerton the hero in Rylands comeback
Sam Egerton was the unlikely hero as his first goal of the season secured a point for the blues as they came from 2 goals behind in the last 5 minutes of the game.
The blues handed debuts to A-Jay Leitch-Smith and Scott Duxbury and started James Neild in midfield in a 3-5-2 formation which was so successful in last weeks victory against Whitby Town.
The hosts made a very bright start to the game, cheered on by the majority of the 1,821 crowd. The hosts had lots of possession and territory but the blues back line stood firm and weathered the early storm.
The first real chance of the game arrived in the 20th minute as Linney chased down blues goalkeeper Joel Torrance, the ball broke free and fell to the feet of Gabidon but he could only fire his effort wide of the post.
The rest of the first half was dominated by the Rylands, who maintained possession well and created a number of chances but the blues couldn't find a way past Lavercombe in the FC goal, saving a long range strike from Jak McCourt and bravely diving at the feet of Callum Dolan. The pick of the bunch, however, was a sensational full stretch tip onto the bar after A-Jay had lifted the ball over him.
The second half was a much more even affair with both teams creating chances, the best of these fell to the blues when Dolan smashed a freekick off the top of the bar.
The deadlock was broken in the 73rd minute when Linney collected a long ball before cutting inside Egerton and rollimg the ball left footed into the far corner out of the reach of Torrance.
The blues almost found an instant response as substitute Shaun Cooke got on the end of a fantastic Kyle Hayde cross but could only send his header narrowly wide of the target.
FC doubled their lead in the 84th minute and it was Linney again, this time smashing the ball past Torrance from a tight angle.
This time there was an instant response by the blues, a long ball found Dolan inside the area and his cushioned nod down found Leitch-Smith who lashed the ball past Lavercombe in the FC goal.
2 minutes later the blues were level as a corner wasn't cleared fully and Egerton was on hand to smash the ball past Lavercombe from 3 yards out. This caused wild celebrations from the travelling blues fans and they were joined in their joy by the Rylands boys!
FC United Lavercombe, Degruchy, Armstrong, Griffiths, Halls, Jones, Gribbin, Potts, Linney, Ennis, Gabidon SUBS Donohue, McCarthy, Palinkas, Rodwell-Grant, Wollerton
Rylands Torrance, Duxbury, Vassallo, Hockenhull Egerton, McCourt, Neild, Furman, Dolan, Leitch-Smith, Hayde SUBS Mustoe, Pratt, Cooke, Hunt, Cookson
Attendance - 1,821
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