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.
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.
Ramsbottom United and Pickering Town took to the field in this FA Trophy third qualifying round replay at The Riverside after a competitive, yet goalless meeting on Saturday knowing that the prize on offer would be a visit to Workington in the first round proper of this popular cup competition.
Both starting elevens showed just a single alteration from the weekend with Luke Thompson returning in central defence at the expense of Khalil Osi-Efa for the home side with Lund starting in place of the injured Bissett for the visitors.
The opening moments of the match began in lively fashion with Pickering almost taking the lead after just three minutes when a speculative attempt from around 25 yards by Taylor struck the woodwork with Ashton motionless, this would serve notice that the away side fancied making progress in a cup competition they were participating in for the first time.
With the contest having an open feel to it the Rams began putting some pressure on the Pickering goal but needed to be wary of the counter attack as the sprightly Pikes front line began the match in confident fashion despite drawing a blank in the initial tie at the weekend after creating numerous second half opportunities.
The deadlock would be broken on the quarter hour mark in favour of Ramsbottom United when a surging run from Eddie Moran gave the midfielder a chance to perfectly play the ball into the path of Nic Evangelinos who strode purposefully into the penalty box before sending an accurate left footed shot across Andrew and inside the far post to register the attackers fifth goal in the last four FA Trophy ties and seventh strike overall for the Rams.
With the confidence that the opening goal brought, the hosts set about looking to improve on their lead with some devilish deliveries from the cultured left foot of Tom Kennedy again proving a valuable weapon for the Rams, one such free kick finding the head of Luke Thompson but the popular defenders effort was scrambled to safety before he could add to his recent goal tally of scoring in his last two appearances prior to his enforced absence on Saturday.
Ramsbottom United began to look the more likely team to add to the score line with Eddie Moran testing Andrew with a low drive from the edge of the box just prior to the half hour mark before minutes later a blistering effort from a similar area from Jamie Rother left the Pickering stopper helpless but the ball thumped into the woodwork as the pressure began to build towards the visitors goal.
The complexion of the contest continued in the hosts favour towards the half time break with the surging runs of Kyle Jacobs adding to the Rams attacking threat. With around ten minutes of the first period remaining lively attacker Nialle Rodney almost doubled the home sides advantage when his well struck effort hit the goal frame for a second time in a matter of minutes as the chances began to increase for the hosts.
The final action of note arrived just before the interval when an excellent through ball to Ruben Jerome found the striker surging towards the edge of the penalty area before a Pickering defender was adjudged to have brought down the burly forward and the referee deemed that the incident had occurred fractionally outside the box so a free kick rather than a penalty was awarded. The resulting set piece was curled accurately around the assembled wall by Nialle Rodney before Charlie Andrew flung himself to his left to tip the goal bound effort wide as the Rams finished the half strongly.
As the half time whistle blew Pickering would perhaps have felt fortunate to not be more than a single goal in arrears as an impressive first 45 minutes from the Rams could easily have generated a bigger lead to enjoy had it not been for some good goalkeeping from the Pickering custodian and also the woodwork denying the hosts on more than one occasion.
The visitors made their first change of the evening at the break when Dalton replaced Barkway and almost immediately made a contribution as the recently arrived substitute was adjudged to have been fouled in an almost identical position where the Rams where awarded a free kick before the interval but this time the referee decreed in was inside the box and Blott confidently equalised from twelve yards to restore parity.
With Pickering on a run that had seen them lose just one of the last nine outings the equaliser didn't noticeably alter the pattern of the encounter as a couple of set pieces caused panic in the visitors defence with the ball refusing to be forced over the line as both Ryan Ellison and centre back partner Thompson were foiled as the Pikes battled to keep the contest level.
As the match progressed to the three quarters point it was Ramsbottom that were having the majority of the possession with the midfield trio of Donaldson, Moran and Jamie Rother working tirelessly as the hosts were looking the more likely team to create the decisive moment to win the tie but Pickering sporting what could only be described as an "interesting" pink coloured kit were still possessing a threat on the break without calling Sam Ashton into any serious action.
Despite having the better of the second period the Ramsbottom perhaps weren't at their fluent best but were still creating some noteworthy efforts with Jacobs and Moran firing efforts from distance off target but the visitors hadn't managed a shot of note on target since the leveller but as the game entered the final ten minutes both teams were fully aware that one defensive slip or a moment of quality could curtail their involvement in the competition.
Then, as the watch was ticking towards the ninety minute mark and with extra time looking more a probability rather than a possibility the pivotal moment of the contest arrived when a patient attack lead to Ruben Jerome firing an effort goalwards which was blocked by Andrew before the ball fell to Eddie Moran in the penalty area before the all action midfielders astute pass to the edge of the box found the marauding full back Kyle Jacobs whose thunderous right footed effort from 20 yards flew past Andrew and exploded into the back of the net for the defenders first goal in Rams colours.
With the last gasp goal fitting to win any match, the Rams repelled some late Pickering pressure as the visitors threw men forward in the hope of taking the contest into an extra thirty minutes whilst a well worked counter attack almost brought a third goal for the hosts as Rodney and Evangelinos linked up before the latter had an attempt that flew wide of the target.
Nevertheless, as the final whistle sounded Ramsbottom United progressed to the First Round proper of the FA Trophy for the first time since 2014 and a trip to the west coast of Cumbria awaits on the 15th of December with a narrow, yet deserved victory against a tough and well organised Pickering Town outfit and the Rams unbeaten run under Chris Willcock ticks onto a hugely impressive twelve matches.
Credit should be given to both teams as each contributed to a couple of competitive old fashioned cup ties played within a few days of each other which were full of effort, determination and very watchable football as perhaps in the end the Rams just deservedly edged out their opponents from North Yorkshire as momentum and anticipation builds ahead of this weekend’s visit of second placed Runcorn Linnets to the HWRS.
Ramsbottom United made their second visit of the season to Kidsgrove the first being an August visit for an FA Cup tie and were looking for an immediate response from last weeks galling defeat to high flying Runcorn Linnets which brought to an end an unbeaten run of 13 matches for Chris Wilcocks' charges.
The Rams made two changes to their starting eleven with both Kelvin Lugdsen and Jamie Rainford starting their first games for the club at the expense of the suspended Kyle Jacobs and Ruben Jerome respectively.
The contest began in awful conditions with the rain slanting down, despite this, the pitch appeared to be in excellent condition and both sides began positively with the visitors playing an attractive passing style through midfield on a slick surface with caused the Kidsgrove back line some early problems.
With almost ten minutes of the match completed the visitors created the first moment of real significance when a goal kick from Sam Ashton deceived the Kidsgrove defence and was pounced on by Jamie Rainford who surged into the penalty area before squaring the ball to Nialle Rodney who looked certain to open the scoring by side footing towards an empty net but last man Rhodes dashed back to block the goal bound effort and deny the away side the opening goal of the day.
The hosts, with only a single league victory at home this term from seven attempts as opposed to their away league form which sees the Grove unbeaten in seven fixtures away from their well appointed stadium looked lively on the break but wide man Nic Evangelinos brought the first notable save of the game from home stopper Kurasik after a good run and shot served notice of the Rams intent to get back to winning ways.
Indeed it took the hosts midway through the first period to produce their first strike at goal but full back Thompson's effort was deflected for a corner which came to nothing but showed that even with a reshaped defence showing Ryan Ellison at right full back and Kelvin Lugsden slotting into central defence alongside the ridiculously consistent Luke Thompson the visitors were largely untroubled for the opening third of the encounter.
Then, after thirty goalless minutes had been played and the incessant rain had lessened a match defining five minutes altered the course of the contest when the Rams took control in decisive fashion.
Firstly on 32 Minutes a superb run by Nic Evangelinos cleverly sidestepping three Kidsgrove defenders on a run that took the winger into the penalty area before sending an effort towards goal which Kurasik could only parry into the path of Jamie Rainford who confidently fired home from close range to register his first goal for Ramsbottom United to give the away side a lead their early play had deserved.
No sooner had the players and supporters collective elation died down when the lead was doubled in spectacular fashion when that man Rainford received the ball tight to the touchline on the Rams left before cutting inside a couple of challenges and sending a rasping right footed effort from fully 30 yards curling past Kurasiks outstretched dive before nestling into the top corner of the net to give the away side a two goal advantage and in the process give the striker a double on his first start for the Rams and surely add this strike to the goal of the season competition at the conclusion of the campaign.
The Evo-Stik West Division club of the month for November were gaining confidence as the clock ticked towards half time with the impressive midfield trio of Moran, Donaldson and Rother continuing to have the upper hand on their direct opponents and the last noteworthy action of the half saw Rother send a low skimming shot from just outside the penalty area which looked to have Kurasik in trouble but the attempt narrowly missed the target as the Rams took a two goal advantage into the break.
The second period began in much the same way the first half finished with the visitors in the ascendancy, a good piece of attacking play again set up Rother for a shot at goal but his effort from the apron of the 18 yard box drew a fairly orthodox diving save from the Kidsgrove keeper before moments later a sumptuous through ball from Eddie Moran gave Jamie Rainford a chance of his hat trick as he went one on one with Kurasik but the effort missed the upright as the hosts could quite easily have found the match beyond them with over 40 minutes remaining.
Even though Kidsgrove were trailling, the Rams rearguard were doing an excellent job of protecting Sam Ashton who wasn't called into any serious action until half way through the second period when a Baker cross from the right found substitute Saxon but his low drive was palmed to safety at his near post as the hosts searched for a route back into the contest.
Ramsbottom United were limiting the hosts to very few clear chances with Kelvin Lugsden looking assured on his first starting appearance for the visitors and the lead was almost increased further when Nic Evangelinos found himself with a sight of goal to put the result beyond any doubt but the winger was denied by the home goal keeper who was quickly off his line to block the clever effort and the score remained at 2-0 for the away side.
The substitutes bench was utilised for the first time for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining as Ruben Jerome replaced Nialle Rodney. In truth, both goal keepers had little to trouble them with long distance efforts the main route to goal although some good interplay around the area from the hosts between Malbon and Saxon gave the latter the opportunity to shoot at goal but the attempt barely extended Ashton.
The final ten minutes yielded a number of free kicks in promising position for Grove but again the Rams defence repelled what was thrown at them and despite not being at their fluent best from an attacking perspective in the second period the travellers from Lancashire were managing the second half very well quelling any momentum the hosts could muster whilst still offering a threat on the break themselves.
Two goal hero Jamie Rainford was replaced by Khalil Osi-Efa for the closing few minutes denying the striker the opportunity of a hat trick on his first start for the away side but the days work was done as the happy travellers saw out the five minutes of injury time to record a degree of retribution for Kidsgroves victory on penalties which knocked the Rams out of the FA Cup earlier in the campaign.
With the rain subsiding for the majority of the second half huge credit must be given to the Kidsgrove ground staff for preparing such an excellent surface which held up superbly especially given the huge amount of rain that had fallen in recent days which allowed this match to be completed when other games in the area were either called off or abandoned.
A point worthy of note is that the Rams have conceded only one goal away from The Riverside in the five league matches under Chris Willcock, a fourth consecutive league clean sheet and despite what was an untried back line demonstrates the strength and depth of the squad as the team look to begin another unbeaten run.
As proceedings came to a conclusion and three more points were added to the ever increasing tally meaning that Ramsbottom United have clocked up a hugely impressive run of ten away matches without defeat in all competitions and the league table showed the Rams had jumped a place to seventh as the team responded admirably to last weekends setback ahead of Saturdays intriguing looking FA Trophy First Round tie at Workington.
After a hard-fought 0-0 draw in north Yorkshire on Saturday, these two Evo-Stik League sides, one from each of the East and West Divisions, will fight it all out again on Tuesday evening at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, with a slightly delayed 8.00pm kick-off.
The Rams are currently on a twelve match unbeaten run, with eleven since the arrival of new manager Chris Willcock, whilst Pickering themselves have only tasted defeat once in the last nine outings.
So both sides come into this one in good form, and despite the score-line on Saturday, it was a well-contested end-to-end match that could have gone either way.
The Rams are the only side still in the competition from the Evo-Stik West league and will be hoping to carry the flag into the next round as the sole representatives.
Any assumption that the easy part has already been done (drawing away and bringing them home) can be dispelled, as the “Pikes” have a better record on the road, so the Rams will have to be on top of their game to make progress.
Luke Thompson returns having completed a one-match ban following his sending off in the League game at Colwyn Bay. Red card suspensions do not apply to any specific competition, however, which is why he had to serve his ban seven days later, irrespective of the competition.
The prize for the winning side is the long trip to Workington, which I suspect would not have been high on the list of anticipated ties for either side, but it is what it is, and the Reds are not having the best of seasons one tier higher, so who knows.
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”
The Rams were unchanged from the 2-1 win against Pickering Town in midweek.
The Rams conceded an early foul on Paul Shanley by Tom Kennedy it gave Runcorn a chance from around 20 yards but Luke Thompson was there to head it away
Two minutes later, Kyle Jacobs fouled Shanley just inside the area. Louis Corrigan stepped up to score from twelve yards out.
In the next 20 minutes the Rams had a few half chances through Rodney & Kennedy but the equaliser was scored on 25 minutes.
Eddie Moran was fouled 25 yards out, Tom Kennedy stepped up and put it in the top left hand corner of the net to bring the Rams on level terms with there promotion rivals.
Two minutes later, Runcorn got back in-front, Peter Wylie headed in from a great in-swinging free kick.
Towards the end of the first half, Donaldson & Jacobs both had shots well saved by Foyth.
Four minutes from the break, Corrigan was booked for a late trip on Nialle Rodney.
HALF TIME Rams 1 Runcorn Linnets 2
Rams boss Chris Willock looked to freshen it up in the second half when at half time he made a double sub bringing on Jamie Rainford & Kieran Lugsden in place of Ruben Jerome & Anthony Donaldson.
Eight minutes into the second half, Kyle Jacobs was sent off for a 50/50 challenge with a Runcorn player, but the Rams didn’t let that affect them they scored from the spot five minutes later through Nialle Rodney after Evanglinos was fouled.
For the final 30 minutes the Rams saw Kelvin Lugsden replace Jamie Rother. Jamie Rainford had a chance for the Rams a couple of minutes later but it sailed over the bar.
It only got worse for the Rams from here on in, with thirteen minutes to go Kieran Lugsden was sent off for a reaction to a challenge made by a Runcorn player on the midfielder.
Runcorn scored the what turned out to be the winner, two minutes later. Freddie Potter the scorer he put it into the bottom right corner from close range
The Rams had a couple of chance in the final five minutes but nothing came of them and the Rams lost for the first time since Trafford on the 25th September
Chris Willcock post-match said “We’ve got to lick our wounds and go again”.
The next game for the Rams is a trip to Kidsgrove next Saturday
Mill Lane was the destination on Saturday as Ramsbottom United ventured to North Yorkshire to take on Pickering Town for the first ever meeting between the two clubs in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Trophy
Amazingly the Rams, who are the only representatives remaining in the competition from the Evo-Stik Western Division, have been drawn away from home in each of the last six Trophy ties and lined up with just one change from the midweek victory over Yaxley with Kahlil Osi-Efa slotting into central defence in the absence of the suspended Luke Thompson.
It was the visitors that began the contest positively with Nialle Rodney getting the first shot on target but Charlie Andrew in the home goal gathered with ease, the opening ten minutes belonged to the Rams as a number of early Tom Kennedy corners put the Pickering rearguard under pressure but ultimately without success.
The hosts weathered the strong start which is now becoming a feature of Chris Willcocks team and threatened for the first time when Ryan Blott's shot failed to trouble Sam Ashton but signalled the home sides intent to continue their recent run of good form which had seen the Pikes lose just one of their last eight outings in all competitions.
With a quarter of an hour played Pickering fashioned a chance to break the deadlock when leading scorer Blott headed over the bar from a cross from the lively Taylor as the encounter was developing into an intriguing tussle. The Rams replied shortly afterwards with a shot on goal on their own after excellent approach play between Kyle Jacobs and Anthony Donaldson around the penalty area gave Rodney a sight of goal but his attempt was again gathered by Andrew.
Pickering came closest to opening the scoring with 25 minutes played when Bissett crossed to the far post and with the Rams struggling to clear their lines the ball fell to Blott whose powerful effort thumped off the woodwork and bounced to safety much to the relief of the healthy contingent of Ramsbottom United supporters in attendance.
With around half an hour played the Pikes again served notice of their attacking threat when an incisive break away lead to two goal bound efforts being blocked by the hardworking Rams defence before the ball fell to Taylor whose attempt flew wide of the target as the home side looked to take the lead in a well contested tie.
The remaining minutes of the first period swung back in the Rams favour as the all action midfield of Moran, Rother and Donaldson looked to provide the ammunition to the in form attacking trident of Rodney, Evangelinos and Jerome. It would be the latter that would force Andrew into action with five minutes of the half remaining after a good lay off by Donaldson set up the forward but his attempt was pushed to safety by the home keeper.
With half time fast approaching Ramsbottom United created their clearest sight of goal when a defensive slip up in the Pickering defence was seized upon by Ruben Jerome but the unmarked strikers effort flew wide of the target as the half way point was reached with the deadlock yet to be broken in a 45 minutes in which the Rams arguably had the better of but the hosts offered enough attacking menace to suggest that the second period would be difficult to suggest which side would progress.
The second half began in a similar vein to how the first half ended with the visitors pushing forward as Rodney again fired towards goal in the opening moments but the effort sailed off target.
With less than ten minutes played in the second period perhaps the most contentious moment of the game occurred when a ball over the top of the Rams defence saw Sam Ashton run out of his penalty area to confront and make contact with the onrushing home attacker before the ball fell kindly to a Pickering player who lobbed the ball into an unguarded net but mercifully the referee had already blown his whistle for the initial foul therefore not playing the advantage much to the obvious annoyance of the home support, to add to their sense of frustration the resultant free kick cleared the crossbar.
As the game progressed Pickering looked to build some attacking momentum but the Rams, without being at their fluent best, still possessed enough in forward areas to keep the home defence on their toes, an example of which saw Donaldson thread a pass to Nic Evangelinos whose strong run and shot brought a diving save from Andrew at his near post.
With the Rams currently on an eleven game unbeaten run and averaging over 2.5 goals per game hopes were high that the visitors could make the breakthrough and attempts from Donaldson and Evangelinos again gave hope that the superb run would continue.
As the hour mark arrived Kieran Lugsden replaced the inventive Donaldson in midfield but it would be Pickering that would create and spurn a number of opportunities, the best of which brought Ashton into action with a low save before another shot flew into the side netting as Pickering looked to edge in front.
With three quarters of an excellent cup tie completed the away side responded when a surging run from the impressive Kyle Jacobs found the full back playing a one two before striding purposefully forward and hitting a low shot which Andrew blocked with his legs as the chances continued to be created.
After the earlier disallowed goal, the Rams were again grateful for the officials intervention at the midway point of the half when Pickering were denied the opener when a cross from the right wing was turned into the net by Greening but the linesman's flag curtailed the home sides celebrations as the match remained goalless.
The remaining twenty minutes provided a real test of the Rams defensive resilience as Pickering poured forward looking to avoid the need for a replay and the home supporters were again irked at the officials as a loud claim for a penalty was denied as the frustration levels increased.
As the minutes ticked away the home team created a number of chances as they sought to end the stalemate, the closest of which was a Logan header which struck the upright with Ashton helpless as the visitors stubbornly clung on in what was perhaps proving to be their most difficult ninety minutes since Chris Willcock took the reigns.
With the pressure increasing and the Rams unbeaten run under threat Pickering continued to search for what looked like being the deciding goal with set pieces also proving troublesome but with some resilient defending and wayward finishing from the home side the nerves amongst the travelling supporters were becoming progressively frayed.
The final opportunity of an enthralling tie came to Pickering when a through ball gave Blott a chance but his low angled attempt was blocked by the ever reliable Sam Ashton and as the final whistle sounded the Rams would perhaps feel a sense of relief that they had withstood a second half barrage whilst not being at their attacking best to earn a replay at the Riverside on Tuesday night where the winners will already know who their opponents will be in the First Round of the FA Trophy, a draw which includes the National League sides.
This FA Trophy First Round tie took place on a blustery and rainy Saturday afternoon in West Cumbria as Ramsbottom United took to the road to Workingtons wonderfully traditional Borough Park Stadium after being drawn away from home for the fifth consecutive time in this seasons FA Trophy competition.
The visitors starting eleven showed just two changes from the victory seven days earlier at Kidsgrove with Ruben Jerome replacing the cup tied Jamie Rainford up front and Simon Woodford slotting into central defence at the expense of the unavailable Kelvin Lugsden.
With conditions looking very likely to have a bearing on proceedings the opening ten minutes were fairly even with both teams finding it difficult to have any attacking fluidity to their play but with the strong wind in the home sides favour the visitors would need to be at their resolute best as they attempted to continue their superb recent defensive record of conceding just two goals in the last seven away matches in all competitions.
It would be Workington that perhaps just about edged the early possession stats as the contest was developing into a midfield tussle with both teams quickly coming to the conclusion that free flowing football would be something for another day as the home side appeared to be looking for longer passes behind the Rams defence to try and supply the pacey wingers in Holt and Tinnion.
The away side flickered into life from an attacking perspective just after the quarter hour mark when Nic Evangelinos linked up well with Tom Kennedy but the cross eluded the onrushing attackers.
A look at the league standings showed that the hosts were next to bottom of the league above the Rams, so, with home advantage the Reds supporters would be hoping that the higher rank side would show their superiority but as the half progressed there was no obvious sign of the two sides plying their trade in different divisions.
Workington began to garner more of the possession as the half hour was reached but the Ramsbottom United defence, which incidentally showed a third different central defensive partnership in the last three matches were ensuring that any goal scoring efforts were conspicuous by their absence as Sam Ashton in the visitors goal was untroubled, indeed the only attempt towards goal was a low effort from the Reds midfielder Cowperthwaite which flew comfortably wide of the target.
With the conditions worsening and with the rain slanting down the Rams had their first effort at goal when Nic Evangelinos went on a purposeful run towards the edge of the Workington box but his left footed effort failed to trouble Taylor in the home goal and with almost 40 goalless minutes played neither side had forced the opposing goal keeper into serious action.
As half time approached Ramsbottom United would produce their most threatening moment of the first period when a fine through ball found the quicksilver Nialle Rodney whose surging run centrally towards the Workington goal caused concern in the home defence but the wide mans right footed shot towards goal was well blocked by an outstretched leg of a retreating defender and the first 45 minutes finished with the scores level.
After the restart, and with the wind in the Rams favour the visitors began the second half positively and within ten minutes had without question the best opportunity of the match when Evangelinos found himself advancing in on goal after a goal kick had held up in the wind but the wingers shot was smothered by Taylor in the home goal.
Minutes later the away side again showed their ever increasing attacking threat when a sumptuous threaded pass from Jamie Rother connected with the run of Evangelinos in the left hand channel but again the Workington rearguard were on hand to block the promising attack.
With Ramsbottom United never having won at Borough Park the home side were finding it difficult to fashion any chances that could be categorised as clear cut, in a rare moment of concern for the visitors around the hour point a corner was cleared to the edge of the penalty are but the resultant effort flew over the top of the crossbar.
Chris Willcock then utilised his bench for the one and only time at the three quarter point of the encounter when Khalil Osi-Efa replaced the hard working Jamie Rother as fresh legs were introduced to the central midfield.
On an increasingly heavy surface not conducive to good football it was becoming more and more apparent that either a mistake or set piece would be the most likely route to settling a competitive cup tie.
Amazingly the Rams have only been behind once in the last seven fixtures away from the HWRS, this being earlier in the FA Trophy run at Yaxley where the match ended two goals apiece.
Then, with 75 minutes played the Rams almost struck the first blow of the cup tie when a surging run from Anthony Donaldson was halted around 20 yards from goal in a promising position just to the left of the "D" of the penalty area, Nic Evangelinos struck the free kick well but the diving Taylor got a finger tip to the goal bound effort and the ball clipped the outside of the post to deny the day trippers a lead their second half pressure warranted.
With the contest entering the closing stages and the Rams looking to continue their magnificent run of ten away fixtures without defeat in all competitions, the last being at the hands of Leek Town exactly three months to the day ago, the hosts responded by making all three substitutions in an attempt to change the course of a full blooded skirmish but without notable success as the Ramsbottom defence was again superb to a man with Ryan Ellison again showing his versatility with an eye catching display at right back.
A point worthy of note is that the Rams have clocked up almost 950 miles on their FA Trophy adventure this season and were in no mood to exit the competition as they continued to believe that they could grab the all important and deciding goal whilst being mindful not to give Workington any attacking encouragement.
The central defensive combination of the ever combative Luke Thompson and debutant Simon Woodford made a nonsense of this being their first match together as they contained the threat of Jason Walker and Scott Allison splendidly, the latter being in fine form with four goals from his last five appearances.
With goal scoring chances at a premium for the remainder of the contest and the swirling wind often making any hope of free flowing football very difficult the Rams negotiated the three minutes of additional time the referee had indicated and deservedly earned a replay against their higher ranked opposition.
After the final whistle had blown the players and travelling supporters showed their mutual appreciation of each others efforts in challenging circumstances by exchanging warm rounds of applause which were fully earned as Chris Willcock's outfit again exhibited another side of their teams characteristics with a battling display that could and maybe should have seen the Rams leave Cumbria victorious.
Both sides will be aware of the prize on offer for the winners of the replay on Tuesday night as the draw for the next round is due to be made on Monday afternoon.and for the first time in the clubs 52 year history will proudly take their place in the Second Round draw of the FA Trophy alongside Workington.
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.
An intriguing tie at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium as seventh placed Ramsbottom United host second in the league Runcorn Linnets.
Linnets are the club that rose out of the ashes of former Conference League side Runcorn FC, and after a number of years, finally escaped the clutches of the North West Counties League, where the newly-formed club were placed, last April as they clinched that hard-to-attain single promotion spot.
With a healthy support, the Linnets have settled into the higher league like a duck to water, and should provide a stern test for the ever-improving Rams, whose victory on Tuesday against Pickering Town in the FA Trophy was their thirteenth game in an impressive unbeaten run.
Runcorn are undefeated at home in the league, but on their travels have tasted defeat four times, whilst returning home victorious on the other five occasions.
Both sides will be focussed on those promotion places, and three points tomorrow would be a welcome boost for whoever manages to grind out a result.
An entertaining game looks to be on the cards, and the hope is that the missing Rammy fans, who had deserted the club during the reign of Mark Fell, will come back to witness what, if recent performances are anything to go by, some quality football from a Rams side that has quickly gelled under new boss Chris Willcock, and is producing the sort of attacking football that deserves bigger numbers coming through the gates.
