After a run of away games throughout November and December, four home matches come along at once, and each one of them provides the Rams with quite a tester.
The first one, at home to table topping Radcliffe on Boxing Day, was successfully negotiated in front of more than 500 spectators, and a deserved three points were garnered after the 2-1 victory.
Hot on the heels of that one comes the arrival of third placed Atherton Collieries in what could equally be called a “derby game”.
Colls, in their second season in the league, have enjoyed a tremendous campaign so far, and have earned 40 points from their 20 games, notching up an impressive 48 goals, the joint highest in the division.
The Rams now find themselves in the play-off places, five points behind our visitors, but with a game in hand, so the incentive is there for a repeat of the Radcliffe result.
Hopefully, many of the neutrals who enjoyed what was a great advert for non-league football on Boxing Day, will return and another healthy attendance should be expected as the Rams continue to build on this impressive run of just one defeat in eighteen games.
With another side pushing for promotion, Leek Town, due in town on Saturday, followed by one of the biggest games in the club’s history – the FA Trophy 2nd round game at home to Weymouth – the week after, this is very much a defining three weeks in the history of Ramsbottom United.
These games are there to enjoy, and hopefully the visit of Atherton Colls will provide much to savour as a season that began in more hope than expectation has now been turned on it’s head.
Fixtures between the two local neighbours are always eagerly anticipated, but this time round the anticipation levels have gone through the roof.
This is the Evo-Stik West’s game of the day between two teams in superb form.
For our visitors Radcliffe, this is a total transformation of what has been endured over recent seasons.
Instead of a struggle against relegation, the “Borough” find themselves entering the Christmas period top of the pile, and deservedly so.
They began the campaign with an eyebrow-raising seven successive wins, and whilst late September and October saw that encouraging start begin to evaporate, the turnaround since the beginning of November has seen a return to their early season form.
They arrive at the HWRS on the back of seven successive league victories, a run that has seen them catapulted to the top of the division.
Meanwhile, since the appointment of Chris Willcock in early October, our reshaped squad have been in pretty impressive form ourselves.
Just one defeat in eighteen, and that in rather controversial circumstances, have seen the Rams climb from the bottom half of the table to just outside the play-offs, as well as creating a new club record by progressing to the 2nd round proper of the FA Trophy.
It all adds up to a fascinating contest, which hopefully will attract a bumper gate for this Boxing Day feast.
Both sides deserve support for what have been two tremendous runs of form, and to predict the outcome of this one is almost impossible.
All we can hope for is a cracking game and an excellent atmosphere as we shake off the over-indulgence of Christmas day.
The Evo-Stik League’s last two survivors will battle it out to the death on Tuesday night at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium in an attempt to progress to the 2nd Round Proper of non-league’s biggest knock-out competition.
For the Rams, it is an opportunity to create history, as they are currently the farthest they have ever been in the Trophy, having previously lost to Stockport County at this stage in 2014.
Should the homesters overcome another former Football League side in Workington, then not only will it create history for the Rams, but it would see them as the League’s sole representatives amongst a strong contingent of teams from the top of the non-league pyramid.
The 0-0 draw up in Cumbria on a wicked afternoon on Saturday set up this replay, and better conditions will be hoped for from both sides.
Despite drawing away, the Cumbrians must start as slight favourites, coming from the Division above, but the Rams are in a good run of form and will go into the game full of confidence.
As is often said, cup ties are one off games, and it’ll all be down to who has the attitude and commitment on the night to make progress,
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, then there will be extra time, and, if required, a penalty shoot-out would ensure we have a winner on the night.
The winners will face Weymouth FC at home in the next round.
When new boss Chris Willcock took over in early October, he immediately went about reshaping a team that was 14th in the Division and the new look side went on a terrific thirteen game unbeaten run.
Three successive away league victories during November against Skelmersdale United, Prescot Cables and Colwyn Bay hoisted them up to fourth spot in the table, whilst two away draws in the FA Trophy at Yaxley and Pickering Town, allowed the club’s only two home games during the month to end with victories in the replays sending the Rams on to the FA Trophy 1st round proper.
An engraved permanent momento will be presented to the club on behalf of the League’s major sponsor, Bostik, at a date to be confirmed.
A statement from the league read “May I congratulate the Club, Manager and players on this award”
Ramsbottom United have snapped up former Football League striker RICHARD BRODIE to strengthen their squad after the nasty injury to Nialle Rodney during the FA Trophy victory over Workington stripped them of an important member of the team.
Brodie comes with a fine pedigree, having begun his career in his native north-east with Whickham and Newcastle Benfield.
His goalscoring exploits alerted York City who signed him in January 2007 and in the next three and a half seasons, Brodie notched 68 goals for the Minstermen as well as experiencing two trips to Wembley.
A move to Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee followed, and he helped lift the Sussex club into the Football League.
Playing for a number of clubs since, including the likes of Fleetwood Town, Morecambe, Grimsby Town, Hereford United, Southport and Stockport County, the Rams signed the 31 year old striker ahead of their 3-1 win at Market Drayton Town, where he made his debut for the club, coming on as a second half substitute, thus moving back to play his football in his now-native north west after a spell in the midlands with Southern League Rushall Olympic.
Ramsbottom United’s Player of the Month for November, as voted for by the supporters, was left-winger NIC EVANGELINOS.
Nic joined the club in October having played for National League side Ashton United, and has had quite an impact on the new-look Rams team.
In his ten appearances for the club he has notched seven goals, and quickly established himself as a fans favourite.
He was presented with his award and a case of beer from the Evo-Stik League’s beer sponsors, Bowland Brewery, ahead of the home game against Runcorn Linnets last Saturday.
Ramsbottom United travel down the M6 for the second time this season to take on Kidsgrove Athletic, this time in the League.
The last venture in August was for an FA Cup tie, under the guidance of former manager Mark Fell, when, having drawn 1-1, the Rams fancied their chances at home in the replay. However, a missed penalty in normal time, followed by more during the eventual penalty shoot-out, saw the Staffordshire side progress at the Rams expense.
Now with new management team and squad in place, it’s a return on a revenge mission in the hope of removing the memory of the team’s first defeat in fourteen matches last Saturday in the controversial reversal against Runcorn Linnets.
As a result of the debatable refereeing, Ramsbottom will be without Kyle Jacobs and Kieran Lugsden, who both must now sit out the next three first team matches.
However, the Rams travel to a team which is so far undefeated on the road in league matches, but have only won once in seven on their home patch, drawing and losing three apiece.
Having been declared the Evo-Stik West club of the month for November, this is an opportunity to put that defeat behind them and begin another impressive run as three league points are on offer before we return to the FA Trophy with a trip to Workington next Saturday.
We'd like to wish everyone associated with Ramsbottom United FC a very Merry Christmas & all the best for the festive period
First Team manager Chris Willcock & his players and staff also wished everyone a Merry Christmas
"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the Chairman, Board of Directors, supporters, volunteers and juniors from the Management and First Team Players"
Photo below of the Players & Coaching Staff in their Christmas Jumpers
