How Warrington Rylands did in their first game of 2025
WARRINGTON Rylands' first game of the new year saw them share the spoils at Gorsey Lane.
And it was a game manager Neil Reynolds believes was another demonstration of how far they have come as a group as they extended their good recent form.
Having seen their New Year's Day trip to Prescot Cables postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Blues' belatedly got 2025 underway with a 2-2 draw against play-off chasing Hebburn Town.
All four goals came in an action packed first half, with Alex Kiwomya striking after just three minutes to put Rylands ahead but parity was restored just four minutes later by Joao Pedro Gomes Carrington.
Reynolds' side retook the lead through Blackpool loanee Jake Daniels just shy of the half-hour mark, but back came Hebburn again and Olly Martin's penalty saw them pull level just before half time.
Neither side could find a winner, but Rylands' unbeaten sequence in Northern Premier League matches now stretches to six.
It means they have remained clear of the NPL Premier Division relegation places - they are 15th, two points clear of trouble, having provided Reynolds with more proof that his side are going the right way.
“It shows how far we’ve come,” he said.
“I could tell the lads were disappointed but the side who are sixth in the league have come out in the second half and settled for a point.
“We were totally dominant – we were playing the football and moving it against a really good Hebburn side.
“We were really good again – people were talking about our first half performance against Hyde and we were just as good again today, but we were good in the second half too.
“Maybe we didn’t get the rub of the green but it’s how far we’ve come.
“We’re now getting a reputation for being a good side – teams are giving us respect, coming here and changing their gameplan to get a point.
“For us, it’s another game unbeaten, another point on the board and another step in the right direction.
“We’re motoring, but there’s a tinge of disappointment that we haven’t won the game.”
Watch Reynolds' full post-match reaction below
Blues are back in action on Tuesday night as they make the short trip to Reynolds' old club FC United of Manchester.
