CAMPAIGN CLOSES WITH A POINT
Oumar Camara celebrates his late headed goal that earned the Rams a point.
In line with the much of the campaign, this really should have been all three points, for the Rams enjoyed the majority of the play and took the game to the home side from the off.
Failure to convert a number of chances, and a slip-up at the back saw two points slip away, leaving the club in the disappointing position of 18th as the final league table is produced.
As early as the 12th minute, Matty Birchall raced through, but his effort was wide of the target.
Early corners caused problems in the home goalmouth, but the Town defenders managed to clear the danger before on 21 minutes and against the run of play, Barnoldswick took the lead.
An innocent ball played forward produced a mis-kick which allowed Jack Foster the space to run forward and plant a low drive past the approaching Rams keeper Chris Thompson.
Not to be deflated, the visitors continued to push forward, with more corners causing mayhem in the Town box. From one, Roman Allen glanced a header inches over the bar whilst a number of other balls into the box failed to be converted.
Trailing by the single goal at the break, the second half continued in similar fashion, with the hosts on the back foot for much of the time. Indeed, Thompson in the Rams goal had a relatively easy night as any attempts by the hosts to increase their lead, were easily dealt with by the Rams defenders.
With the time ticking down, it looked as though all the effort would be in vain, but on 88 minutes, a wonderful angled cross into the box from the left-hand side was firmly deflected past Callum Jakovievs in the Town goal, via the head of Oumar Camara, to give the Rams a deserved equaliser.
Eight minutes of time were added on, during which the Rams peppered the home goal, but to no avail as the Town defence managed to repel what was thrown at them, and the final whistle sounded to end both this contest and a frustrating season.
Manager Steve Wilkes summed up his thoughts “So the season finally comes to an end with another game I thought we should have won, especially in the second half as I don’t think keeper Chris Thompson had anything to do.
“But this game typified the whole season. I lost two players during the day and one of the subs was injured at half-time.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the players and my staff for the season but more importantly, the fans who have stuck with us during a poor season.
“Roll on next season!”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Thompson, Radcliffe, Hayhurst (Ogunby 55mins), Allen, Lent, Butterworth, Walker (Yates 81mins), Birchall, Camara, D.McMahon, Walder. Subs not used: Rigby, Wood, Hamer
Att: 124
