PREVIEW – BARLICK (GAME OFF)
** GAME OFF ** The weather beats us yet again.
In 1966, Ramsbottom United were formed. In 1966, the legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones released “It’s Been A Long Time Coming” on his ‘A-Tom-Ic” album. Saturday’s win at Cheadle for the 1966 formed club was most definitely the 1966 Tom Jones song … it had been a VERY long time coming! And so, with a spring in the step, the Rams hopefully travel to Barnoldswick – if the weather allows.
MATCH: Barnoldswick Town v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Silentnight Stadium, Greenberfield Lane, Barnoldswick, BB18 5LJ
COMPETITION: North West Counties League Premier Division
DATE: Tuesday 9th April 2024
KICK-OFF: 7:45pm
DISTANCE FROM RAMMY: 40 minutes, 25.2 miles
ADMISSION:
Adults – £7, Concessions – £4, Under 16s – £1, Under 12s – FREE. Programme – £1
OVERVIEW:
“For as long as I can remember, It’s been struggle and worry every day, It’s been a long time coming, I said it’s been such a long time coming, But good things are going to come my way.” The prophetic words of Sir Thomas Jones Woodward OBE. Where did it come from? A side without a win in their last nine beating a side without defeat in their last nine. Don’t bet on football, kids!
The 1-0 victory over Cheadle Town on Saturday was fully deserved. Finally, the Rams put in a performance across the full 90 minutes. It could have been considerably better but for the missed chances that have blighted much of the showing in the last couple of months but, as the old phrase goes, look in the newspaper in the morning! 1-0 to the Rams, three points and breathing space between us and the bottom four.
And so the Rams travel to Barnoldswick – hopefully. The forecast really isn’t that great and, if pictures from the weekend are anything to go by, Barlick are growing spuds on their pitch! It really has been a hell of a winter and, even though spring has sprung, the ‘April Showers’ have been more like April downpours.
The county cricket season kicked off this week and two matches didn’t even get started. The match at Old Trafford was called off on Sunday because it was too windy and dangerous. But still we must attempt to squeeze in games between now and April 20th – although there has been a bit of relief given to Colne, who still have nine games to play. We thought we had it bad but the league have permitted them to move some games into the following week.
With the Rams in 18th place and Barnoldswick 17th as things stand, should Tuesday night’s game not get played, we may be given the slight luxury of moving later in the month. Neither has anything to play for but this could be the battle for 17th place as our hosts are just two points ahead of us.
In their last six games, they have four defeats, one draw and one win. They had defeats to struggling Pilkington 4-2 and a 5-2 loss at home to Colne on Easter Monday but managed to turn over Bury in front of no-one 2-1. The pure definiation of a ‘funny old season’! They are in danger of becoming the fourth side this season to concede 100 goals – they are on 99 right now.
Two sides not in the greatest of form – anything could happen. But there is always a warm welcome up in the hills and we look forward to going up and across on Tuesday night. That is unless, Asphalt Ballet’s 1990 song “Tuesday’s Rain” that is forecast comes into play.
“Tuesday’s rain falls like a river on my head, And who’s to blame for the signal turning red.”
HISTORY:
We have only met on seven previous occasions and it is 4-2 to the Rams with one draw, that coming early in this season in August when Matthew Dudley’s penalty was cancelled out by Brad Carsley’s equaliser in the first half.
It will be a fifth trip to the Silentnight Stadium, the first coming in November 2010 when Aaron Hollindrake’s 88th minute winner claimed the game for the hosts but we would take all three victories in the 2011/12 campaign, an FA Cup victory 2-0 in August, a 3-2 home win at the Riverside and that 2-0 victory as mentioned earlier.
The fourth visit was that remarkable FA Cup game in August 2021 when Paul Turner’s hat-trick and a Gareth Hill brace put the home side 5-2 up with 20 minutes to go. Richie Baker and Eddie Cooper’s strikes made the game interesting but the hosts held out for a Cupset (as we were in the league above at the time!).
Here is a reminder of the reverse fixture between the Rams and Barlick back in August.
MANAGER STEVE WILKES’ THOUGHTS:
“We head into our game at Barnoldswick on the back of a win and a good performance. I’m not totally sure the game will be on with the rain forecast but we are looking forward to it.
“Unfortunately Rick Whittingham and Kuda Chingwaro’s injuries they picked up at Squires Gate last week have ruled them out of our remaining games.”
