DERBY day is finally here for the town’s football fans.
For the first time since 1978, neighbours Warrington Town and Warrington Rylands will face off in a competitive fixture when they meet at Cantilever Park tonight.
> Click here to read the pre-match thoughts of both managers ahead of the game
Here, we provide you with all the info you could need ahead of tonight’s game…
WHAT TIME IS KICK OFF?
The match is due to get underway at 7.45pm
CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?
Although the match is not an all-ticket affair, a large crowd is expected at Cantilever Park this evening - it is understood that more than 500 advanced tickets have already been sold.
As such, supporters are being urged to buy tickets online in order to reduce queuing at the turnstiles.
Tickets can be bought online from Warrington Town’s official website right up until kick off and there is a £2 saving on both adults and concession tickets when bought online.
Failing that, supporters can pay cash on the turnstiles at Cantilever Park.
Online prices: £10 adults, £6 concessions, £2 under 16s
Turnstile prices (cash only): £12 adults, £8 concessions, £3 under 16s
OTHER GROUND INFO
There are limited car parking spaces on club grounds but there is plenty of street parking around Loushers Lane and Wash Lane.
Increased food and drink provision is understood to be in place at Cantilever Park given the larger-than-usual crowd expected for the game.
> OPINION: Hearts and minds as well as points and pride at stake in Town-Rylands derby
HOW DID WE GET TO THIS POINT?
Having plied their trade in the Cheshire League as recently as 2018, three promotions in four years has propelled Rylands into the Northern Premier League Premier Division – the seventh tier of English football.
Town are now in their seventh season at this level and have fallen at the final hurdle in the race for promotion in each of the past two completed campaigns
Last season saw them beaten in the play-off final by Scarborough Athletic and while they won at the same stage in 2018-19, they were beaten in a one-off ‘super play-off’ by King’s Lynn Town.
HAVE THEY EVER MET BEFORE?
Older football fans will be able to recall a time in which meetings between these two sides were a regular occurrence when both were in the Mid-Cheshire League in the late-60s and early-70s.
In total, the sides have met 23 times competitively since Stockton Heath Albion became Warrington Town in 1949 and 11 of those games were won by Rylands.
That includes the last meeting between the sides – a 5-1 victory at Gorsey Lane on Easter Monday 1978.
Town have eight victories, with four draws.
HOW ARE BOTH TEAMS DOING?
As well as having the edge historically, Rylands also come into this game in better current form.
They sit sixth in the table having amassed 18 points from their opening 12 games. They are unbeaten in five games – although the last two have been draws – and only goal difference keeps them outside the play-off spots.
> Guiseley 1 Rylands 1 - full match report and reaction
Blues are also the division’s leading goalscorers having netted 25 times, meaning they are averaging more than two goals per game.
By contrast, Town have had a more sluggish start and sit six places and three points further back in 12th, although they have played two games fewer than their neighbours.
However, they come into this game on the back of a win having beaten Radcliffe 1-0 on Saturday to end a run of three straight defeats.
> Town 1 Radcliffe 0 - full match report and reaction
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stefan Mols (Town) – The scorer of Yellows’ early winner against Radcliffe on Saturday, the Spanish midfielder is a popular figure among supporters at Cantilever Park.
He possesses the flair and nous to open up tight defences as well as chipping in with valuable goals, whether that is playing on the right of a front three or a more central “number 10” role.
If he is named in the Town line-up, expect him to figure prominently when the action is near the Rylands goal.
Callum Dolan (Rylands) – In Dolan, Rylands possess the league’s joint-top goalscorer – his goal from the penalty spot against Guiseley on Saturday was his ninth of the campaign to leave him tied with Regan Linney of FC United of Manchester.
Usually operating on the left side of attack, his pace and trickery dazzles opposition defenders while he also possesses a wicked delivery from set-pieces.
Not many have managed to keep him quiet so far this season and Town will be the latest to try.
WHAT IS THE LATEST TEAM NEWS?
Both sides have several injury doubts for the game, such is the relentless nature of the Northern Premier League schedule.
Town will definitely be without last season’s leading goalscorer Jordan Buckley, who still faces several more weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Full-back Andy White will also have to be checked having missed the past two games while centre-back Tom Hannigan and midfielder Sean Williams were both forced off injured on Saturday.
However, Yellows are able to welcome back experienced midfielder Jay Harris, who is available again after suspension.
Rylands’ chief injury concern surrounds Kane Drummond – the forward, who is just one behind teammate Callum Dolan having struck eight times this year, has an abductor muscle strain.
HOW ABOUT THE WEATHER?
It may seen a strange question to ask but it may be handy to know given Cantilever Park is largely open to the elements.
At present, light rain is forecast for the match so it would be wise to bring umbrellas and coats if you are heading to the game.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The Warrington Guardian will be live at Cantilever Park to bring you all of the build-up and match updates as they happen via our text blog ‘Matchday Live,’ which will be up and running from around 7pm.
After the game, we will also have in-depth post-match reaction from both camps.
Both clubs are providing radio commentary of the game via their Mixlr channels
TOWN – mixlr.com/theyellows
RYLANDS – mixlr.com/warrington-rylands-fc
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