Neil Reynolds' message to Warrington Rylands players ahead of Blyth Spartans visit

“JUST keep doing what you’re doing” is Neil Reynolds’ message to his Warrington Rylands players ahead of hosting Blyth Spartans at Gorsey Lane on Saturday.

While the Northumberland outfit will present as tricky opposition in a week when they have appointed a new manager following a club-saving takeover, the Rylands boss insists his men must focus on themselves.

“I’m delighted that Blyth seem to have got a sound footing now and can remain as a football club because no one wants to see people go out of business,” said Reynolds.

“They’re obviously on a journey. They got beat (3-0 at Ilkeston Town) on Saturday but I don’t think the score will be the big success for them at the minute – it’s staying together as a football club.

“So we’ll look forward to welcoming them.

“We know it’ll probably be a big week for the new manager and he’ll bring in new players – so there’ll be that new manager bounce – but we can’t worry about too many people at the minute.

“We’ve just got to worry about ourselves getting more points on the board, climbing the league table and just keep doing what we’re doing. That’s all I can ask the lads to do.”

Spartans’ new chiefs did not look too far away for their manager, appointing on Sunday Michael Connor from neighbouring lower-league club Blyth Town whom he steered to six promotions in 16 years.

He takes over a side currently bottom of the Northern Premier League's Premier Division, five points behind Warrington Rylands but with two games in hand.

That in itself points to this being a crucial game to win for Blues, who have the momentum on their side from three successive wins in which they have scored 17 goals and only conceded one.

On the other side of the coin, Blyth have lost their last five matches and scored in only one of their last five away games – but in Northumberland, now, that will be considered as being from another era!