Lancaster City beat Warrington Rylands after opening-day defeat
Jimmy Marshall received the response he called for as his Lancaster City side collected their first points of the Northern Premier League season with Tuesday’s 1-0 home win over Warrington Rylands.
If followed the 4-1 defeat at Ashton United on opening day.
Lancaster welcomed back Sam Bailey to captain the side for 2026/27’s first game at the Giant Axe and gave a full debut to summer signing Matthew Tweedley.
Nico Evangelinos came closest to breaking the deadlock in Tuesday’s first half, firing wide from outside the box on his 150th appearance for the club and then having a header saved by Luke Pilling.
Pilling pushed Steven Yawson's effort over the top in the second half but couldn't deny Jim Craig the winner on 74 minutes, when he fired into the top corner from 25 yards.
The Dolly Blues had to survive a late scare when Rylands, beaten on penalties in last season’s play-off final, rocked the crossbar but the home side held out.
They return to the Giant Axe on Saturday to face Hyde United before visiting newly promoted Redcar Athletic next Tuesday.
Lancaster had taken an early lead on Saturday with a debut goal from Sekouba Sanogo, though Ashton were level by half-time and went 3-1 up after the break.
And after Evangelinos had a penalty saved, Ashton responded to the let-off with a fourth goal.
Marshall admitted: "In the first half we played some decent stuff and had some good chances ... but the second half wasn't good.
“For large parts of that game there's nothing in it. They have been better than us in the penalty areas and we've been made to pay.
One positive was the performance of goalscorer Sanogo and Marshall added: "I thought he was bright down that side and scored a great goal. He never stopped and he's an athlete.”
There was also a full debut for 20-year-old defender Brad Moonan, teaming up with brother Dylan after his release from Everton, where he has been on the books since the age of eight.
Lancaster return to the Giant Axe on Saturday to face Hyde United before visiting newly promoted Redcar Athletic next Tuesday.
Niall Cowperthwaite has rejoined Kendal Town after a shortlived return to Lancaster.