Lancaster City earn fourth consecutive win with three points at Warrington Rylands 

Lancaster City extended their winning run to four games with an away victory against high-flying Warrington Rylands.

It was the hosts’ first defeat in eight games and a result that sees Lancaster move up to seventh in the NPL Premier Division.

David Norris opening the scoring just before half time.

Tom Kilifin doubled City’s lead just two minutes after the interval with a moment of individual brilliance.

Mo Touray then halved the lead through a penalty kick but Chris Willcock’s side hung on to get the three points. 

Jamie Mellen scored the winner last weekend against Gainsborough Trinity with a fantastic free kick and he could’ve opened the scoring in Warrington.

A corner delivery found Mellen whose effort went wide of the post.

Before the 10 minute mark, City had another chance after Charlie Barnes won the ball back with many Lancaster players high up the pitch.

He passed it to Dom Lawson who laid it off nicely to Nic Evangelinos but his low effort wasn’t on target.

The home side started to grow into the game however, with Sam Burns and club top scorer for the season Mo Touray - twice - having opportunities to open the scoring but their attempts were fired over.

Warrington Rylands were the more dangerous side as the first half, though they didn’t test Tom Stewart, but Lancaster took the lead before half time.

In the penultimate game of his career, David Norris - who was captain for the day - put the Dolly Blues ahead.  

A trademark long throw in by Sam Bailey started the move, the ball quickly making its way towards Evangelinos who had his back to goal.

He passed it to Norris, who powered it into the left corner of the net from the edge of the box.

It was the perfect time to score and the Dolly Blues began the second half in a similar fashion.

Once again, it was Nic Evangelinos who was provider, this time to Tom Kilifin who received the ball outside the box, turned towards goal and launched an effort which dipped into the top left corner.

Two fantastic goals had Lancaster in a strong position but they wouldn’t have that two-goal cushion for long.

The hosts tried to get one back straight away - Tom Stewart did brilliantly to boot away a DJ Pedro effort. 

Rylands were awarded a penalty when Tom Kilifin brought down a forward in the box.

Mo Touray made no mistake from 12 yards and got his 17th goal of the season.

City did threaten to revert their lead back to two goals.

Nic Evangelinos had got two assists but was looking to get on the scoresheet but headed just over from an inch-perfect Sam Bailey corner kick. 

Lancaster managed to hang on and get a fourth straight win.

Jamie Mellen was awarded player of the match for a strong defensive performance.

“[Warrington Rylands] made us work very hard today but I thought the lads showed great discipline out of possession and we worked so hard to nullify their qualities," said Chris Willcock after the game.

“After we went two up, we were a little bit conservative and started to drop off and not defend as high as we’d like, we’d like to defend a lot higher and be a lot braver.

“But it was an immense effort from the lads.”

The next game, and last of the season, for Lancaster City is away to FC United of Manchester on April 27.

Next Saturday, The Giant Axe hosts the Easter Field Festival from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Lancaster City: Stewart, S Bailey, Mellen, Norris (c), Barnes, Cowperthwaite (Jarvis 29’), Evangelinos, Carroll, Lawson, Kilifin (Brownhill 80’), Hill (C Bailey 77’)