Wanderers B Team were edged out by Warrington Rylands in a keenly fought pre-season friendly at Rylands Recreation Club.
Matt Craddock’s men came into this one off the back of some impressive recent results, scoring 13 goals in the previous three outings including a 3-0 win over Everton U21s.
Goals from Swaby-Neavin, Bakkor and Che was enough to see the home side run out winners in this practice match in a game where Wanderers couldn’t quite find their rhythm.
The first opening of the game came for the hosts when Bailie peeled off into a pocket of space at the far post but couldn’t keep his half-volley down and blazed it high and wide inside the box.
Wanderers had a golden chance to open the deadlock before the 15 minute mark when a driving run from Max Conway produced a one-on-one opportunity for Trialist who attempted to lift the ball over the onrushing Luke Pilling but his effort landed the wrong side of the post.
Chances were few and far between for a long period after that with both teams struggling to fashion anything clear cut on a sticky pitch.
Arran Pettifer got to the byline and crossed low for Wanderers but Pilling commanding his area to claim the cross before Bailie’s low drive from the edge of the box was well blocked by Toure.
On the stroke of half time, Wanderers came close again. Pettifer opened his body up and found Frimpong in acres of space on the right, he scuffed a cross along the six yard box which Trialist got his studs to but the defender was well placed to clear away for Rylands.
The hosts could have got their noses in front just before the half time whistle. A Rylands midfielders latched onto a forward ball in behind the Wanderers back line but his attempted lob could loop over the bar and off target.
In added time of the first half, Rylands got their goal. The ball was set square across the edge of the box to Javid Swaby-Neavin who expertly curled into the far corner beyond the stretching Litherland.
Rylands started the second half in lightning fashion and doubled their lead almost immediately from kick off. Scott Bakkor was allowed the freedom of the Wanderers box to slot the ball beyond Litherland in a far from ideal beginning to the second half from Wanderers’ point of view.
Rylands had their tails up and went for the jugular. A ball down the right was crossed towards Bailie who connected with the ball, but Yoro was in the right place at the right time to get his body in the way.
Ellis Litherland made himself big to make an impressive save as Bailie ran through on goal but the young stopper stood firm to deny him.
Half time substitute Gez Sithole tried his luck from a free kick on the edge of the box but Pilling reacted well to stoop down to his left and hide and gather the curling shot.
With Wanderers pushing to halve the deficit, Rylands got a third on the break. Che broke the Wanderers’ offside trap with blistering pace and slotted beneath Litherland late on.
All in all, a difficult test for Matt Craddock’s side but one they will be better off for come the start of the season.
Litherland, Conway, Toure, Frimpong, Inwood, Yoro, Khumbeni, Pettifer, Sharples, Bryan, Trialist.
Subs: Hutchinson, Lockett, Loureiro, Halford, Hayes-Green, Andreucci, Matheson, Sithole, Tweedley