OTS – 7th OCTOBER

Time to look back once again at what happened on the equivalent Saturday in our non-league history and today is Saturday 7 October – and remarkably, some very similar scores!

2017 – RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3 COLWYN BAY 0
FA Trophy Preliminary Round

The Rams took a break from league action to clinically despatch Colwyn Bay on a wet afternoon as the home side made it seven wins from 9 home games this season at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

The home side started the match full of confidence and got the perfect start on 10 minutes when a Greg Daniels inswinging free kick was flicked home by the head of Jerome Wright who registered his seventh goal of a hugely impressive campaign.

The Rams increased their lead shortly afterwards when a good passing move released the outstanding Kyle Brownhill whose powerful left footed drive from the edge of the penalty box beat Cooper to give the hosts a merited two goal advantage.

Colwyn Bay were finding it difficult to create any meaningful goal scoring chances as the home side looked more likely to increase their lead with the left hand side of Brownhill and Wright looking a particular threat to the visitors from North Wales.

The second period began with the visitors making a change as they sought to change the complexion of the game and indeed fashioned their clearest chance when a cross from the Bay right found an unmarked Rainford who blasted over the bar when well placed.

This was a reminder to the home sides’ defence that the contest was still alive and the impressive Bradley Roscoe and Luke Thompson, who, incidentally were making their 50th appearance for the Rams, were being kept busy as Colwyn Bay looked to reduce the arrears.

The Rams completed the scoring on 72 minutes when a sublime piece of skill on the edge of the box from Wright created some space before sliding the ball to Spencer whose first time shot flew high into the net to give the home side an unassailable 3-0 lead.

A superb team performance and hard work from the Rams ensured progression to the first round of the FA Trophy and a trip to face Evo-Stik Premier leaders Shaw Lane Association on the 28th October.

Manager Mark Fell commented on the victory:- “First half was what we are all about, we moved the ball quickly, pressed in numbers and deservedly were 2-0 up at the break.  What we’ve been guilty of before is not pressing on and extending our lead, today we showed an ability to contain at 2-0 then hit quickly on the break.  We scored three excellent goals and it gives us chance to go and have a real go at Shaw Lane in a month’s time.”

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Taberner, L.Brownhill, K.Brownhill, Stott, Thompson, Roscoe, Richardson (Spencer 64mins), Moran, Meaney (Rother 64mins), Daniels (Williams 75mins), Wright.  Subs not used: Brooks, Webb

2006 – RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3 ST HELENS TOWN 0
North West Counties League Division 1

Ramsbottom United were comfortable winners in a game of two halves.

After a goalless first half, the Rams went in front in the 49th minute when Matt Houldsworth reacted quickly to MacDonald’s free kick and poked the ball over the line.

Prolific scorer Ryan Moore made it 2-0 as he nipped in front of the defence and slid the ball under the on-rushing keeper.

Moore made sure of the points just before the hour when he somehow managed to toe-poke the ball past both defender and keeper to leave himself with the simplest of tap-ins and give him ten goals for the season.

2000 – CURZON ASHTON 0 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3
North West Counties League Division 1
(report from Lancashire Telegraph)

Ramsbottom moved up to fifth spot in the North West Counties First Division after coasting to their third successive league victory.

Ken Bridge’s side scored three goals in the second half to take nine points from their last nine and start to make an impression at the top of the table.

Curzon had started the game well, forcing a couple of corner kicks in the opening minutes but it was Ramsbottom who almost grabbed the early lead, Russell Brierley’s driven cross coming off Mark Heyes’ shin only to be cleared off the line with keeper White beaten.

Andy Grimshaw’s shot then flew wide with Brierley again the provider and, mid way through the half, the saturated surface started to cut up and a chance or two started to appear. Ten minutes before the break some excellent combination play between Heyes and Gareth Gardiner ended with Brierley heading Gardiner’s cross a foot over.

Rams started the second half with a bang, Grimshaw heading them in front on 46 minutes.  Gardiner’s deep left wing cross was put back into the danger area by Francis Vaughan and the former Morecambe man’s head did the rest.

On 57 minutes United went two up when James Holt, in trying to clear Brierley’s cross, only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net.

With Curzon desperate to get back into the game a physical contest developed but Ramsbottom, with central defender Mike Smith outstanding, gave nothing away.

With Ramsbottom attacking on the break they looked likely to add to their two goals and Gardiner was unlucky to see his shot come back off the woodwork.

Then three minutes from time Ramsbottom wrapped up the three points with a third goal, Brierley scoring after good play by Danny Goodall and substitute Steve Orrell.

1995 – RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1 VAUXHALL MOTORS 3
NWCFL League Cup Round 1
(report from Rossendale Free Press)

Ramsbottom United suffered a major blow when they lost their former professional striker Steve Johnson during their 3-1 defeat against GM Vauxhall in the League Challenge Cup.

Johnson pulled a hamstring after five minutes and could be out of the side for two or three weeks.

United will not only miss Johnson’s contribution as a strike but also the expertise he is able to pass on to the younger players during matches.

Manager Ken Bridge regarded Saturday’s defeat as part of the learning process but admitted that his side gave the North West Division One leaders too much respect.

“It took us most of the first half to find our form.  During the firs tperiod we were never going to cause them problems.  We lacked commitment and had no enthusiasm.

United were rocked by two goals in a minute by Graham Stamper and Peter Daley after quarter of an hour.

After the break, United came more into the game with Isherwood striking the post, Fleming had an effort well saved while left-back Michael Fox broke clear to send in a curling shot.

GM Vauxhall extended their lead after 55 minutes but Isherwood pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when he volleyed home a Carr cross from six yards.

“We were a little overawed by the opposition but we need a little more edge to give us the killer punch,” said Bridge.