SEPHTON DOUBLE HALTS BLIP
Luke Sephton pokes past ex-Ram Ryan Hamer to double the visitors advantage.
After a run of three consecutive defeats at the Riverside stadium, Ramsbottom United and their supporters were happy to be travelling on Saturday as they headed to the pleasant West Lancashire town of Charnock Richard.
Playing in the change red and black strip, Rams made the running right from the outset, with Hayhurst creating problems supporting the front line as the match was played out in warm sunshine.
A marauding Hayhurst run in the third minute led to a strong shout for a penalty as he burst into the box before going down- but on this and a couple of other occasions – the referee waved appeals away as the Rams penned the home side back for long periods.
Red shirts were snapping into the tackle and battling for everything from front to back. Closely marked Tom Hoyle must have been bruised all over after his usual wholehearted approach was met with robust defending.
The Rams were notably quicker to the ball, especially if it became loose and which they quickly recycled, and it stayed in advanced positions for much of the game. They came agonizingly close in the 25th minute when a near post corner from Walder was rapped against the post by Luke Sephton. The ball stayed live and was recycled in the series of resulting shots blocked by the stretched home defence before a Teague header finally cleared the bar.
A couple of isolated efforts from Charnock meant the home threat could not be discounted as half time came with the score slightly surprisingly nil nil.
The pattern resumed after the break and just as the crowd pondered substitutes around the hour mark, came the breakthrough. It came from an unusual source as former Rams keeper, Ryan Hamer, misplaced a kick which was intercepted by Harvey Whyte. He sensed an opportunity and sent Tom Hoyle accelerating away on the right and into the box before providing a well-weight low cross along the six-yard area. It was met on the run by Luke Sephton who calmly placed the ball into the net for the deserved opener.
The short-sleeved travelling fans responded, with warm sunshine making the unique Rams anthem, “In the Summertime” most apt, as it repeatedly chimed around the stadium.
Further good news was to follow. Seven minutes later the indefatigable Hoyle was again the creator. He advanced down the right before producing a cleverly disguised reverse pass – once again was met by Sephton – who took it in his stride, controlled it and nudged it past Hamer to make it two nil for a delightful goal and afford the Rams vital breathing space.
The Rams have forfeited two nil leads in recent weeks but there was a newfound resolution around the team that survived skipper Andy Teague being taken off injured with around twenty minutes remaining but Barlow and Winstanley stayed solid, and the Rams rarely looked threatened.
Before the game many Rams fans would have settled for a nil nil draw, but this deserved win on the road stopped the rot. With seven games remaining the team showed grit and resilient to overcome adversity. These qualities will stand the team in good stead in the coming weeks.
Hoyle’s work rate and performance over the ninety minutes was exceptional, inspiring the whole team and travelling supporters and towards the end he came off to a standing ovation as crowd favorite Oumar Camara gained more game time.
Battling performances on the road at Glossop and Abbey Hey didn’t gain the wins the performances merited but here the team gained the right result and three precious points. Rams may have slipped to third in the table but passed eighty points and, on this performance, should fear no one.
Manager Steve Wilkes bore a smile at the end of the game. “I’m really pleased with the performance”, he enthused. “We never looked in any danger at any point of the game.
“We looked solid in defence and a real threat every time we went forward.”
He went on, “Special mention to Tom Walker who I thought was excellent all afternoon. We’ve now got a week to prepare for next Saturday’s game at home to Litherland”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Mendes, Radcliffe, Hayhurst (Stacey 89), Teague (Winstanley 81), Barlow, Walder, Walker, Lynch (Tinker 76), L Sephton, Whyte (Wilson 84), Hoyle (Camara 90+1)
Att: 199
