RAMS GOOD VALUE FOR GIGG POINT
Goalscorer Rhys Turner emerges through the Boxing Day gloom at Gigg Lane.
Boxing day and a murky misty midwinter feel as nearly 6000 fans created a wonderful atmosphere at Gigg Lane and enjoyed a much-anticipated local derby between table toppers Bury and Ramsbottom United.
A cacophony of drums flags and noise greeting the players and the home side started as though they meant business and created a series of raids particularly down the right side to cause the red-clad Rams numerous early problems with several dangerous hard low crosses and shots into the side netting, with a series of chances in the early stages.
Pedro in particular looked menacing and the Rams defence uncharacteristically nervous. Gradually however, and marshalled by the experienced players, Andy Teague provided support on the left, whilst midfield anchor, Richie Baker, got the team moving forwards with his well weighted, metronomic passes always finding a team mate in space.
After 18 minutes the Rams found their rhythm with a series of precise ground passes leading Rhys Turner to find the advancing Luke Sephton on the edge of the box. Taking it in his stride and without any noticeable back lift he managed to poke a shot which surprised Bury keeper Mitch Allen, who only appeared to realise the ball had been planted past him as over 400 travelling fans in the main stand erupted into a mass of arms and noise celebrating their team’s dramatic breakthrough.
How would the home side respond? Well it didn’t take them too long to gain parity. Just as the Rams were starting to enjoy being ahead, around 5 minutes later, Bury themselves fashioned a great move as Pedro sprinted down the left, and then continued his run before firing in a hard shot which took a deflection to beat Brad Rose’s dive and re-ignite the home fans.
So, 1-1 after 23 minutes and all the makings of a Lancashire hotpot as the gloom-piercing floodlights further enhanced the intensity of the occasion.
The Rams weren’t daunted and regrouped when lesser teams may have wilted. The visitors fashioned another break on 34 minutes. Another intricate move on the ground which freed up Rhys Turner in the box. Turner kept his composure to plant the ball past Allan and restore the Rams lead with a fine finish.
2-1 to the visitors and the Bury crowd more muted as the Rams repelled a series of home attacks without losing their shape.
As half time approached Brad Rose had to be alert and agile as Bury broke at pace down the left and advanced into the box when a hard accurate shot was heading inside the post before being cleared by Rose’s feet. The resulting corner was cleared to maintain the Rams lead at the break.
As the second half got underway, Bury continued where they left off as they created a series of chances which never seemed quite destined to end up in the net, flashing across the box and over the bar as murmurs began to be heard.
A series of substitutions followed from both sides with Steve Wilkes countering any moves made by Shakers boss Dave McNabb.
Bury continued to dominate the second half possession whilst Ramsbottom seemed quite happy to absorb the pressure. They even created a chance as Tom Hoyle broke free to send a shot wide – before making way on the hour mark.
Dave Lynch came on to provide fresh legs in midfield as the Rams were managing out the game with the clock ticking onwards and ‘in the summertime’ rang out, on a bleak winter’s day, from the Rams faithful.
On 84 minutes, with the finishing post in sight, another cruel blow – one of a series of contentious penalty decisions against Ramsbottom in recent years – a hard driven shot was goalwards until it struck Andy Teague in what appeared the midriff. A strong shout from the home crowd and the referee showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot for a penalty. Ly sent Rose the wrong way to equalise.
Bury may have deserved their goal, but the manner of it will leave something of a sour taste.
With the home crowd once more finding their voice, the Shakers tried to find a winner but once more the visitors held firm. Maine Walder in particular, showing composure as he slotted in on the left of defence to see out the game. When the final whistle sounded it was the Rams on the attack as the match finished 2-2.
As a relieved home crowd filed out, the Rams players and manager ran across to acknowledge their supporters who had urged their team on throughout and knew their team had given everything.
Wilkes’ team have been a revelation away from home this season and this performance merits inclusion in that Pantheon. The hard-won point keeps the Rams unbeaten league run intact, which stretches right back to September.
There is only one automatic promotion spot in this league with another available through the play offs. It would no surprise to see these two teams meeting at a higher level in the coming years, and it would be nice to do it together. Supporters of both teams know this and those seeking authentic football will be only too delighted join them on that seemingly inevitable journey.
Manager Steve Wilkes was a slightly disappointed figure after the game: “Really proud of the players today but also a little disappointed that we didn’t play as well as we could.
“We weren’t brave enough on the ball in certain areas, but I thought we withstood an onslaught in the second half and limited them to a lot of possession going side to side, but didn’t really hurt us.
“Brad hardly had a shot to save and to say he pulled his groin after ten minutes and couldn’t kick, is a testament to the lads in front.
“As for the penalty, it’s hit the player in the stomach and the thing that gives it away for me is no Bury player appealed. But over 5,000 Bury fans did! It felt like a loss after the game but we go again in another big game on Saturday at home to Squires Gate.
“Finally, I want to thank each and everyone of the Ramsbottom fans today, they were as good as the players and they should be as proud of themselves as I am of the players.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst (Winstanley 69), Teague, Barlow, Walder, Baker, Sephton (Stacey 45), Turner (Camara 74), Whyte, Hoyle (Lynch 65) Not used: Uppal
Att: 5,834
