SIX OF THE BEST
Tom Hoyle starred in a fantastic away performance at Burscough.
On the back of a couple of disappointing home results, a chance for Rams to see how they would fare against a team in fine form. Rams had prevailed earlier in the season with a four-nil win, but this Burscough side were likely to prove tougher proposition after three successive victories.
The risk looked all too real as Burscough started brightly on their astroturf pitch with a series of attacks. After ten minutes they fashioned what looked a certain goal with a shot arrowing towards the far corner until Brad Rose flung himself across his goal line and then arched his body to the push the venomous shot away from danger. Rose makes difficult saves look easy and was to have a fine match.
Playing in red, Rams responded with their fine passing game. Their neat football to feet, coupled with incessant off-the-ball movement offering endless options as the game developed into a most entertaining encounter.
This was in evidence as Tom Hoyle on the left was able to receive outside of the box then drive forwards and cut in before crashing a terrific shot across the goalkeeper, travelling a pace the ball hit the inside of the post then doubled back across the entire goal line before burying itself into the netting in front the travelling Rams fans.
More, much more, was to follow from the all-action striker. A few minutes later, in closing down the keeper, Hoyle create an opportunity for a shot on goal. As Rams fans celebrated, it agonisingly struck the inside of the post before returning to the field of play and away.
He didn’t, however, have long to wait for his second as he harried the keeper who tried to hack the ball away. Its trajectory though was vertical, and Hoyle won a jump off to head the ball into a now empty net.
Burscough were still in the game and continued to come forwards with a series of efforts flying over the bar.
Prompted by skipper Teague, the Rams continued to play their version of total football with some fine fluid moves. Luke Sephton was next to be located on the right flank where he advanced before sending a weighted low cross into the box. Oumar Camara read it and calmly side-footed it past the keeper and into the goal for the visitors third.
With the Rams fans enjoying every second of what was turning into a masterclass, but with Burscough still posing their own threat, there was even more to come, and before half time.
A controlled pass out of defence released Tom Hoyle on the halfway line. He accelerated into space down the right before entering the box and firing a ferocious shot across the keeper and in of the inside of the left-hand post. A hat trick right front of the Rams support and no more than his workaholic performances this season have merited.
The half opened with a fine strike from Henry Ogunby, before Luke Sephton was able to charge forward, and slalom past a couple of defenders a few minutes later. Sephton remained calm and picked his spot with a hard, low shot to the right of the goalkeeper; a fine virtuoso effort to put Rams five goals to the good.
Steve Wilkes was able to rotate his players with Hoyle’s efforts garnering the appreciation of the travelling fans but despite the five goals the biggest cheer of the afternoon came for the reappearance of Martyn Jackson following recent neural surgery. Jackson slotted seamlessly into the team which maintained its excellent shape throughout.
The Rams weren’t finished. It was to be six of the best as Sephton chased down an effort into the into the box. It was initially blocked by the keeper, but somewhat unfortunately for him, the ball span loose, and it into the path of Rio McEvoy to plant into the net for Rams sixth.
Burscough will be glad they don’t have to face the Rams again, shipping ten goal and scoring none in the two league matches.
For Ramsbottom Utd a victory which by its emphatic nature will send out a signal to rest of the league. The top spot is once more reclaimed and just in time for the home match against Bury on Tuesday.
Manager Steve Wilkes was naturally was pleased. “Great way to bounce back after two poor performances,” said Wilkes.
“Football’s a funny game, as people say. We’ve missed plenty of chances in the last few games and before we scored today Burscough have also missed a couple of great chances.
“The pleasing thing for me, as a manager, is how ruthless we were today, especially first half. I thought the second half was a very professional performance.
“Most Rammy fans will remember being 3-0 in front at half time last season, and not winning the game. Today was much different. We’ll enjoy tonight and prepare for our next games like always.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Hayhurst, Walder (Meadowcroft 72mins), Teague (Tinker 76mins), S.Sephton, Winstanley (Ogunby 29mins), Wilson (M Jackson 78mins), L.Sephton. Camara, Whyte, Hoyle (McEvoy 68mins)
