RAMS DOWNED BY TOWN COMEBACK

Skipper Andrew Teague sees another effort desperately blocked by the home defence.

The Rams harvested 18 points in August to lead the table prior to the game at Longridge. The only blemish coming with the disappointing reverse at Colne.

Any team wishing to be in the mix come the end of the season must perform away from home, the chance to see whether Rams are the real deal.

The match played out in bright sunshine, but with a swirling wind, the Bowland fells providing a scenic backdrop.

Following a midweek demolition of South Liverpool a strong looking line up saw the return of Andy Teague, the rugged dependable central defender slotted in as the Rams started as if they wanted the match won by half time.

Rams dominated early on with a series of attacks in the opening period. Maine Walder fired in a corner which swirled against the crossbar, then, a few moments later, Radcliffe shot hard against the post.

The early onslaught continued as Wilson’s long range free kick as spectacularly pushed around the post. It was only a matter of time before the Rams broke through and this did eventually happen after 11 minutes. Another in-swinging corner saw Radcliffe attack the ball in the box to head home, much to the delight of a healthy Rams contingent.

Strangely the Rams eased off and started passing backwards. A couple of Scott Sephton long throws caused concertation in the home ranks. Otherwise, a youthful Longridge side stuck at their short passing style and after their early shock began to grow into the game.

On 37 minutes, came a portent of what to what was to come. Rams had the opportunity to shoot but chose to dally. A single Longridge attacker broke from his own area and embarked on a lung bursting run down the entire pitch. It looked odds on for a goal before a slightly scuffed shot, and clever positional play by Rose and Walder, snuffed out the move.

The Rams lead at the break was deserved and early in the second half came the chance to kill the contest.

Luke Sefton reacted as a Rams corner wasn’t properly cleared to shoot low and to see the effort cleared off the goal line.

They were soon to rue the missed chance. Longridge had a corner which wasn’t properly cleared. The Rams seemed hesitant to close the danger as the ball was recycled, before a low, hard shot was smashed past Rose for the equaliser.

Worse was to follow for the Rams, they began to lose a rhythm and, like the Colne game, any belief in the fluid passing style seemed to drain out of the team. Panic started to set in as gaps started to appear in defence as a series of long-range hoofed clearances left the Rams faithful frustrated and increasingly despondent.

Rammy’s best chances were reduced to isolated raids, with Teague’s effort from a corner coming back off the line.

Longridge with their short passing game, well adapted to the swirling conditions, were wresting control. It was no surprise when they took the lead with a firm header from a good cross, beating Rose with a quarter of an hour remaining.

The remainder of the match was reminiscent of the dire first half at Colne and the game finished in almost comedic fashion. Deep into injury time, Rose, dependable all season, sliced a back pass up in the air before it looped back leaving Longridge’s Anderton the simple task of heading the ball into the net for 3-1.

A bewildering performance for boss Steve Wilkes who expressed his thoughts at the end of the game.

“To say I’m disappointed with the performance would be an under-statement.

“We let ourselves down all over the pitch today. From the first 40 seconds we were sloppy in possession.

“The longer the game went on the worse we got. The players have once again been told that every game in this league is tough. There are no easy games.

“Having said that, we’ve hit the post and the bar, and had one cleared off the line, and missed half a dozen chances in the six yard box.

“But that’s not taking anything away from Longridge as they fully deserved the win”.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Walder, Teague, S.Sephton, Meadowcroft (Hayhurst 57mins), Wilson, L.Sephton, Camara ((Turner 62mins) McEvoy 83mins)), Whyte, Hoyle (Tinker 78mins) Sub not used: Ogunby

Att: 175