The Rams fine form of late will undergo a thorough examination when Marske United come to town.
Impressive successive victories away to Prescot Cables (2-1) and at home to City of Liverpool (5-0) followed a 1-1 draw with Runcorn Linnets in a game that should have seen the Rams collect another three points.
Manager Chris Willcock’s readjusted squad now appears to be hitting the sort of form that they enjoyed last season, and the team currently lie in eighth position with 23 points from 13 games in a Division that is as tight as anyone can remember for many a year.
Visitors from the north east, Marske United are just one point ahead but sit as high as third, and with a couple of games in hand, could well rise to the summit.
They have only suffered one league defeat all season, so should prove a tough test for a team currently buoyant after the thrashing of City of Liverpool on Tuesday night.
It promises to be a tight affair, but with both teams on top of their game, should prove to be a highly entertaining match worthy of a good turn-out from the supporters.
The Rams make the relatively short trip over to Merseyside to take on old foes Prescot Cables at Volair Park.
Many a game has been contested between these two sides, initially in the North West Counties League, but of late in the Northern Premier League.
The Rams with a tweeked squad of late, returned to League action last Saturday when they came behind at home to Runcorn Linnets, with a Nic Evangelinos goal ensuring a share of the spoils. In reality, it was almost one-way traffic in the second half, but the hosts could not find the finishing touch to grab a deserved three points.
Back in the starting line-up tomorrow could be Reuben Jerome, who completed his three-match ban on Saturday.
Cables had a blank day, with the heavy rain washing out their visit to Pontefract Collieries, and las played last Tuesday when a home defeat against the afore-mentioned Linnets saw the Cheshire side progress in the FA Trophy.
There is usually nothing much between the two teams and current league placings suggest another tight encounter.
Cables sit in 8th place with 20 points from 13 games, whilst the Rams are two places and three points behind, but have two games in hand.
It will be all eyes on the weather ahead of the Greater Manchester derby between the Rams and Droylsden.
Since the game at Colne on Tuesday was called off, it has barely stopped raining, leading to floods in many areas, and should the rain continue then a Saturday morning inspection may well put the game in doubt.
However, should the weather gods decide to smile down on us, the Rams welcome their neighbours in an attempt to keep the five game unbeaten run going.
Eleven points out of fifteen have seen Chris Willcock’s side move into the play-off spots with 27 points from 15 games.
The Bloods arrive at the HWRS in thirteenth spot in the league table having gained 20 points from their 16 outings.
Whereas the Rams have lost just once at home in the league this season, the visitors have an away record of just two wins from their eight contests, four of which have been lost.
However, football rarely follows a logical pattern, and Dave Pace is a wily old manager who can always be relied upon to have his team fired up, and for the Rams to be victorious, they will need to keep their wits about them.
Another welcome three points however will enhance the position within the play-offs, and with the league table being as tight as it is, a victory could propel the side up to second behind current leaders Workington.
But first of all, a glance upwards in the hope that the rain clouds finally move over.
Ramsbottom United’s recently introduced “Goal-of-the-Month” award has been won in October by winger NIC EVANGELINOS.
The popular player, now in his second season with the club, has notched plenty of goals during his time at the HWRS, but his race on to a through ball, clever flick and hammered-home finish in the win against Brighouse Town, was judged by the supporters, to have been the best goal scored by the Rams throughout October.
He was presented with his award, a case of beer kindly donated by Irwell Works Brewery, before the home game against Marine, by Supporters Club member Andy Worsick.
It’s a welcome for the first ever meeting between the recently formed City of Liverpool FC and the Rams at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
Formed to offer affordable football to those in the city unable to watch the two Premier League sides, the new club merged the red and blue of the city’s main clubs into a kit that reflects their nick-name of “The Purps”.
Promoted from the North West Counties League last season (their second promotion in their short lifetime) they have adapted to life at this level well, and currently sit alongside the Rams in mid-table with both sides having played 12 league games and earning 20 points.
Both sides have games in hand and are only three points away from the play-offs, so a tight contest is likely.
For the Rams it’s a chance to continue the improved form of late that was disrupted on Saturday when the planned trip to Dunston was thwarted by heavy overnight rain on Friday night.
The team’s last outing was a deserved three points over in Prescot with a 2-1 away win over the Cables, and another three points against CoL could see the Rams back up amongst the challenging pack, in what is becoming a very open race with no club running away with the League this time round.
After a fortnight off, it’s back to the action as the Rams entertain Runcorn Linnets in the BetVictor North West Division.
With last week’s two matches (away at Prescot Cables, and home to Bamber Bridge in the Integro Cup) both being postponed due to the opponents involvement in other competitions, manager Chris Willcock quickly arranged a friendly match last Saturday away to NWCFL side Charnock Richard, in order to give the players some game time.
And a useful run-out it was, as an emphatic 8-1 score-line gave the lads a much needed morale booster.
However, friendlies are friendlies, and no substitute for real competitive fixtures, and it’s a return to league action in the hope of wiping the 4-3 defeat at home to Marine in the last game, from the memory.
Mind, for the neutrals in the crowd, it was a highly entertaining encounter, and games against Runcorn Linnets usually produce a similar outcome.
Linnets currently lie in 15th spot with 11 points from their 12 games, although they have yet to register an away league victory.
The Rams inactivity has seen them slip down to eleventh, but with games in hand due to only having played 10 league fixtures, from which 16 points have been garnered.
So a welcome return to action on the pitch, and with a couple of new faces in the squad, an opportunity to grab all three points and begin an ascent back up into the play-off places.
The latest recipient of Ramsbottom United Supporters Club “Player-of-the-Month” award has gone to goalkeeper TOM STEWART.
Having previously played down south, Tom joined the Rams at the beginning of the season and has had an impressive first campaign for the club, despite the team’s rather up-and-down time of late.
His performances have been appreciated by the club’s supporters and he was presented with his award and his case of beer kindly sponsored by Bowland Brewery, the Official Cask Beer of the Northern Premier League.
Tom is seen here being presented before the home game against Marine by Supporters Club member Andy Worsick.
The Rams recent impressive run will face a stern test in north Yorkshire as they travel up to meet Tadcaster Albion.
Tadcaster are currently two places and three points behind the Rams, but with two games in hand.
Like Ramsbottom, their home form has been good, losing just once and drawing once whilst winning the other five games.
The east Lancashire side’s away form shows two victories, one draw and three defeats, so the odds would appear to favour a home win, but the recent results have been pretty impressive for the Rams, with two emphatic home wins over City of Liverpool (5-0) and Marske United (5-1), before which was a fine away win at Prescot Cables and a draw at home to Runcorn Linnets in a game that should really have yielded another three points.
That run has allowed Chris Willcock’s side to rise from mid-table into the play-off positions in what is turning into a fascinating league table, with no team running away with things.
So a trip over the Pennines looks like providing an entertaining clash with both sides eager to secure all three points and consolidate their places in those play-off spots at worst in what looks like being a terrific campaign.
It’s a trip into the unknown as the Rams make the long journey to the north-east to meet Gateshead-based Dunston for the first time.
Having gained promotion from the Northern League last season, Dunston have been ham-struck by the number of games that have been called off, and so far have managed to complete just eight league fixtures, leaving them at a deceptive 18th position with just eight points gained.
Of those games played, just three have taken place at their UTS Stadium with a win, draw and defeat the outcomes.
The Rams travel up with a confidence in their step. A disappointing one point garnered from their home draw with Runcorn Linnets last Saturday really should have been all three, but a further three points were gained at Prescot Cables on Tuesday night, so the trip to the north east should hold no fears.
The Rams squad seems to have settled down just recently with performances reflecting that, and with the top half of the table very tight, hopes for a further three points will be high.
Like the hosts, the Rams have games in hand, but not as many, and currently sit in ninth position with 20 points from the twelve matches played.
The League looks like being extremely competitive this time round, so another three points on the road would be very welcome.
After a number of postponements due to a mixture of cup games and the weather, Ramsbottom United’s outstanding games have now been rearranged.
The away game at Prescot Cables, postponed on 9th November due to Cables appearance in the FA Trophy, is now scheduled to take place next Tuesday, 19th at Hope Street with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The home game against City of Liverpool will be the following Tuesday, 26th November again with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The away game at Colne, who played Gateshead in the FA Cup on the original date of 19th October, has now been added for Tuesday 10th December (7.45pm), whilst we go into the new year for the remaining two league fixtures.
Tadcaster Albion travel to the HWRS on Saturday 8th February, whilst Saturday 7th March sees the Rams making the journey up to Kendal Town.
That just leaves the much-postponed Integro Cup match at the HWRS against Bamber Bridge to be rescheduled.
FULL LIST OF RESCHEDULED FIXTURES:
Tuesday 19th November - Prescot Cables v RAMS 7.45pm
Tuesday 26th November - RAMS v City of Liverpool 7.45pm
Tuesday 10th December - Colne v RAMS 7.45pm
Saturday 8th February - RAMS v Tadcaster Albion 3.00pm
Ramsbottom United manager Chriis Willcock has drawn on the experience of former Bury midfield player RICHIE BAKER as he attempts to get the Rams’ season back on track after a much-disrupted campaign so far.
Already behind with League and League cup matches, with plenty still to play for, the experienced former Football League player joins his former Bury team-mate Tom Kennedy at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
Richie began his career at Manchester United before signing for Preston North End.
In 2006 he moved to Gigg Lane where he established himself as a regular in the team, making 107 appearances for the Shakers and notching six goals.
In 2010, he had a brief spell with Oxford United, before joining National League side Barrow.
He has also played for Tamworth, Stockport County, AFC Fylde, FC United of Manchester, Curzon Ashton, and most recently Colne.
Joining Baker is defender RICK PETERS, who has moved from NWCFL side Congleton Town. The 27 year old has previously played for Irlam and Maine Road.
