Mersey Valley produced a brilliant second half performance to come from behind to beat Warrington Rylands Development Squad.

The young Rylands team started well, moving the ball nicely and working hard off the ball to make it difficult for the home side. Brad Cooke making his debut for Valley looked solid in goals.

Valley started to look dangerous, wide players Zaid Baroudi and another debutant Niall Goldrick both starting well.

It was Rylands who took the lead on 25 minutes, after forcing a number of set pieces the made their pressure count. A corner was not dealt with by the defence and Green was in the right place to fire home from close range.

The home side could not get into the game, Rylands shape and work rate was much better and they looked dangerous. Cooke making a smart save and centre halves Greenwood and Roach both making good interceptions.

Riley & Goldrick celebrate Owen Adams equaliser

Hudson made a big call on 38 minutes, replacing the unlucky Downey and Chaddock with debutant Aaron Johnson and fit again midfielder Sam Glendon.

With seconds remaining in the first half in was Glendon’s long throw that caused havoc on the box and Owen Adams skilfully glance the ball past the keeper to make it all square at the break.

HT: Mersey Valley 1 Warrington Rylands Dev 1

It was a positive half time break as the home side came out looking a different side, confidence flowing through the team. The home side started winning the 50/50 balls and pressing Rylands faster and higher up the pitch.

Baroudi was seeing a lot of the ball playing more centrally and looked dangerous. Glendon and Adams started to win the ball more and control the possession as Valley looked the take full control.

What a debut! Aaron Johnson makes it 4-1

The goal the pressure deserved arrived just before the hour. Baroudi with a defence splitting pass to Johnson who smashed the ball past the Rylands keeper to give the home side the lead.

The visitors had no response, Valley were on top and Riley & Goldrick bot went close. On 72 minutes Baroudi was again involved, a great run and pass to captain Joel Riley who smashed the ball home.

Soon it was 4-1, Johnson again the man in the right place picking up a loose ball in the box to fire home his second of the game. It was nearly the perfect day for the new striker, a brilliant flick beat the keeper but hit the top of the bar.

The visitors got a consolation in the final minutes, Cooke harshly punished after a collision with the Rylands substitute was deemed by the referee to be a penalty which was tucked away.

The full-time whistle went shortly after and Mersey Valley had the three points their second half performance deserved.

FT: Mersey Valley 4 Warrington Rylands Dev 2