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PREVIEW | Rylands v Widnes

PREVIEW | Rylands v Widnes

Callum Chadwick16 Jul 2019 - 15:45
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All you need to know as Widnes take on Rylands

Widnes get another taste of 90 minutes in their pre-season campaign tonight against North West Counties Division One South champions Rylands at JMO Sports Park.

The friendly marks Widnes' second piece of action ahead of the upcoming Northern Premier League season after losing 2-0 at home to National League North side Southport on Friday night.

It marks another opportunity for co-bosses Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey to have another look at the progression of the squad as the new league season draws ever closer.

Akrigg and Towey are expected to continue to manage players' game time, with a number first-teamers due for 45-minute appearances.

Opponents Rylands, meanwhile, have already played three friendlies ahead of their debut season in the North West Counties Premier Division.

David McNabb and Stuart Wellstead's side opened up their pre-season campaign with successive wins over Northern Irish side Crewe United and South Liverpool, before playing out a 3-3 draw with Pilkington on Saturday.

The 2018/19 campaign saw the Gorsey Lane-based outfit win the North West Counties Division One South title at the very first attempt following promotion from Step 7 last summer.

Rylands also feature a strong former Widnes contingent. Joint-manager McNabb and first team coach Fraser Ablett are both former Whites players, having played under Steve Hill in both the West Cheshire League and the North West Counties League.

Alex Davies, Tom Freeman and George Lomax could all feature for Rylands as ex-Widnes players, while young Whites forward Tom Croughan is set to line-up against the club where he scored 15 goals on a dual-registration deal last term.

Matchday Information

Admission is free for supporters at the facility in Skelmersdale, with refreshments available inside the main building.

Supporters will be able to follow the action across the club’s usual official social media channels, while a match report and post-match reaction will be available after the full-time whistle.

Further reading