EARLY BAKER STRIKE ENOUGH FOR WIN
He doesn’t score tap-ins! Richie Baker with another unstoppable strike to secure a win against 4th placed Chadderton.
The red shirted visitors have ensured that the North West Counties, a league in which many consider to be a two-horse race, is more nuanced than that.
Rams have developed a habit of breaking through early this season and it was no surprise when in the third minute a signature intricate passing move saw the ball shifted through midfield before a dangerous right hand cross was somehow cleared off the Chadderton goal line. Their reprieve was short lived however as the ball broke to the edge of the box where, for the second time in four days, the advancing Richie Baker reacted by planting a firm low shot past Keeper Latham and into the net to give the Rams the lead.
Buoyed by this, the blue shirted Rams attempted to build on the lead, but their usual fluid style built around off-the-ball movement and accurate passing was constantly checked by a series of fouls by an away side intent on staying in the game.
The seemingly endless niggles boiled over on 18 minutes as former Ram, Matty Crothers, reacted by appearing to kick the ball at the Rams dugout. The referee Declan Dunn showed no hesitation in showing a straight red card and from that moment on Chadderton were up against it.
Without ever reaching Saturday dominance, the Rams did create chances with a promising move ending with a shot blazed over the bar and a few minutes later Hoyle sprinting into the box, being felled, with a strong call for a penalty waved away by the referee.
Rams were good value for their half-time lead, but the crowd would have been happier if the man advantage had led to them making things somewhat easier for themselves.
As the second half got underway the Rams looked to build upon their lead but it seemed a frustrating evening was in store as a series of promising breaks just failed to find the final pass. Although forced back for long periods of time, Chadderton could never be discounted, especially on the break. The ball was in the air for long periods of time, unusual for a pass and move team.
The Rams did create isolated chances and another move just after 50 minutes saw another effort fired over the bar and looked they likelier of the two teams to score.
Curiously the most potent threat carried by Chadderton came from usually dangerous dead ball situations for the Rams. A series of corners or free kicks invariably wasted – with the threat of a breakaway real and the back line making several crucial interventions to prevent an underserved equalizer.
The home side should have made the game more comfortable. Oscar Radcliffe blazed over the bar from ten yards, whist Baker failed to add to his tally by skewing a good chance wide.
Encouraged by the hard work of skipper Andy Teague and uber confident stand in goalkeeper, Andre Mendes, managed the closing minutes out well. The resolve came from the from the very front, with hard-working strike duo Hoyle and Camara, ensuring the ball stayed well away from the Rams goal.
It was pleasing to see Luke Sephton make a reappearance after injury and his strong run towards the end almost led to an easing of the Ram situation via a second goal – alas it was not to happen, so in the end, a tight score-line barely reflected the Rams dominance over the ninety minutes.
The crowd stayed to celebrate with their players after the whistle for a vital three points gained. With breakthroughs not always leading to Rams victories this season. In what might be seen as a ‘must win’ game the Rams did just that.
With two victories in four days, both based on clean sheets, the Rams sit on a remarkable 78 points, closing the gap to neighbours Bury to just one point with 10 matches remaining.
Manager Steve Wilkes was happy with the points. “It was a tough game against a physical side,” he conceded.
“Pleasing that our keeper hasn’t had a shot to save but disappointing with the chances we missed.
“At this stage of the season though it’s all about the result and ultimately we’ve won the game”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Mendes, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teagiue, Barlow, Walder (Winstanley 45), Tinker (L Sephton 76), Baker, Camara (Fisher 83), Whyte (Stacey 88), Hoyle. Sub not used: Lynch
Att: 214
