Warrington Rylands bounced back from last weekend’s FA Cup disappointment in emphatic fashion, defeating Stockton Town 3-1 in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round at the Quickline Logistics Arena.
The visitors had the first opportunity of a cagey opening half, as Stephen Thompson tried to catch Luke Pilling off his line, but his effort sailed over the crossbar by only a matter of inches.
Rylands then came agonisingly close as Calum Costello delivered a perfect cross towards George Waring. Despite being surrounded by Stockton defenders, Waring managed to glance a header downwards, forcing Nathan Harker into a terrific save. The rebound fell inches away from Harrison Wood, who attempted a spectacular scorpion kick but couldn’t quite connect.
Harker was called upon again moments later, making another excellent low save to deny Harrison Wood from distance after the Rylands forward had robbed Frank Nouble of possession.
Hardcastle, back from suspension, continued to cause problems from set pieces and floated a perfect corner into the box. Costello brilliantly escaped his marker before unleashing a blistering volley towards the centre of the goal.
Harker somehow got a hand to it and produced an even greater save, leaving you wondering how his hand remained intact as he kept the effort out.
Rylands finally found the breakthrough just three minutes into the second half. Jawad Jebrin lifted a clever ball behind the Stockton defence, finding Costello in space. The number 10 connected beautifully with another volley, and this time Harker, despite his best efforts, could not keep it out.
Stockton almost responded on the hour mark when Nouble got on the end of a delicious free kick and prodded the ball over Luke Pilling’s head towards the far corner, only for the ball to bounce back off the post before being hacked clear by the Rylands defence.
The Blues made the most of that slice of luck five minutes later by doubling their advantage. Rylands broke forward at pace, with Waring producing a cheeky backheel lay-off into the path of Hardcastle. He then played a simple pass across to a completely unmarked Costello, who calmly side-footed his finish into the bottom-right corner, leaving Harker with no chance.
Just eight minutes later, Rylands all but sealed their place in the First Round Proper. A quick sequence of passes followed a drop ball, with Waring eventually getting a sight of goal. His effort took a fortunate deflection on its way towards the net, but Waring was more than happy to take the credit as the Blues made it three.
Stockton refused to go quietly and pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute. Owen Gallacher embarked on a determined run before unleashing a powerful effort beyond Pilling and into the net.
It proved to be little more than a consolation, however, as Rylands saw out a convincing 3-1 victory to book their place in the next round of the FA Trophy.
After last weekend’s narrow FA Cup defeat to Chorley, the Blues produced the perfect response, with Costello’s brace, Waring’s goal and a strong all-round performance providing a huge boost heading into next Saturday’s league meeting with Emley.
Match Report by Jack Dowling