Ramsbottom United climb to 11th in the table and just five points shy of the play-off places with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brighouse Town at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
The hardy group of supporters who worked all Saturday morning to get the pitch fit for play were rewarded by a battling performance which saw the Rams grab all three points and leap-frog their opponents into 11th position. And the Chairman had the bonus of a bumper crowd fuelled by postponements elsewhere which would have been at least a 100 less had the game had to be rearranged. So after a busy and challenging week there is a strong case to be made for all round contentment.
There was nothing pretty about this victory - in all honesty the Rams will play better this season and lose - but the win, against a high flying and skilled Lancaster team was all the more satisfying for that.
A late start due to the Redditch team enduring a nightmare journey saw the game finish with the visitors wishing they had stayed at home.
he Rams two new young loan signings, full back Reagan Ogle and left winger Nathan Webb made an instant contribution to the fortunes of an injury depleted side. Both scored but their impact on the game, in particular Nathan Webb's went well beyond adding their names to the scoresheet.
In the end this was a tale of two penalties - one coolly put away by Adam Kay to claw the Rams level on the hour, the second a superb save from Martin Fearon with just five minutes left to keep the Rams level. In truth if that had gone in the Rams, devoid of a cutting edge, would have returned empty handed which would have been a harsh judgment on a courageous defensive effort which on balance merited a point.
Like Longfellow's little girl when the Rams are good they are very very good but when they are bad they are horrid. What was most disappointing was not that this was a pretty bleak and disjointed showing but that at even that level and with the share of possession they had the Rams should have got something from the game against a Mossley team who were not match better. So this was a poor game spoiled and made worse by arefereeing performance that was consistent only in its mediocrity.
Saturday's postponed FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round match between Ramsbottom United and Redditch United has been re-arranged for Tuesday 15th November 2016 with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The recent run of results for the Rams might suggest that this was an unlikely outcome but local derbies often defy form. In truth though a defeat to this kind has been in the offing for several matches. That is to take nothing away from the spirited performance by Colne who were worthy winners and in no way flattered by the margin of victory.
Ramsbottom United picked up a useful three points on a rare Friday night fixture at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, against a Kendal Town side who edged the first half, but fell away during the controversial second period.
Having pushed a team two divisions above before exiting a cup competition on Saturday, the Rams almost went one better only succumbing to Workington, who are currently sitting eighth in the Evo-Stik Premier League in the league cup on penalties.
Midweek away games are never easy in this league and never more so when they are away on a filthy evening on the dark side of the Pennines against the league leaders. So to come away with a point in any circumstances would have been an achievement.
Whatever its outcome, an abiding image of the 2016/2017 Rams season will be young Josh Askew arms outstretched in front of the travelling and adoring fans having just scored the winner with his last touch in his last match in the last moments of a topsy-turvy game. The young full back, his loan spell now completed will be sorely missed.
In front of a healthy Boxing Day crowd of almost 400, the Rams began well but disintegrated as the second half saw the hosts take control and ultimately all three points.
Do not expect to read here words describing a plucky cup performance by a lower league team playing out of their skin and nearly embarrassing their more illustrious visitors. That was not the performance given by the Rams on Saturday.
There are not many dull moments or poor matches to be had at the HWRS Stadium at the moment. If you want to see open enterprising and honest football that is the place to be so it was a bit of a disappointment that the attendance at this riveting match was only just over 200 (four of whom where from Texas).
Saturday 20th October 2018 KO 15:00
Saturday 13th October 2018
