We are back in FA Cup action on Tuesday night with a trip to Seel Park and a clash with old friends Mossley, who we have been regular league foes since 1997 in the semi-professional game.
Overall, the Lilywhites do hold an impressive record over us with 15 wins to Rammy’s 10 – with five draws from the 30 competitive encounters.
But rather than look back over all 30, we will just look at the previous occasions that we have met in FA competitions – as we have been paired twice, once in the FA Cup and once in the FA Vase.
Unfortunately for the Rams, the outcome was the same – scoreline and exit.
Our previous FA Cup meeting came on 30 August 2008 when we travelled as a North West Counties side to meet Mossley, then playing in the UniBond Northern Premier.
Manager Andy Feeley was forced into making four changes from the 2-0 away defeat to Congleton seven days previously – Martin Middleton replacing keeper Aaron Grundy while Chris Pearson, Matthew Morris and Chris Smithies made way for Ian Hutchinson, Rick Winstanley and Andy Dawson.
However, the Rams were quickest out of the blocks and opened the scoring with James Morley’s 29th minutes strike, a lead that we held through to half time.
The dreams of an upset were dashed though as Blacklock levelled on 49 minutes and then Eagon on 57 and Fish on 70 made sure there were no such slip ups for the home side and our FA Cup advantage was over.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED XI v MOSSLEY 2008 – Martin Middleton, Ian Hutchinson (Martyn O’Malley 86), Richmond Botchey, John Blackley, Rick Winstanley, Andy Dawson (Sam Holt 81), Jonathan Lea, Craig Buckley, Joshua Hill, James Morley (Matthew Morris 76), Andrew Sensale. Subs not used: Courtney Crooks, Chris Smithies.
Our other clash came on 21 September 2002 – a day over 18 years prior to this game in the FA Cup.
This game was in the FA Vase but our awful run of results that saw us pick up just one draw in eight games in September 2002 featured this game at Seel Park.
The match report in the Lancashire Telegraph described the Rams performance as “dismal” save for goalkeeper Simon Marsh who was in “stunning form”.
Mossley opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Tony Carroll cracked him a half volley shortly after Shaun Pickering had headed against the Rammy crossbar.
David Yorke-Robinson’s long-range shot was all the Rams had to show for their early effort although Carl Lomax and Andy Grimshaw did get to a looping header late on in the half which was fired straight at the Mossley keeper Rob Hackney.
The Rams equalised on 51 minutes when Carl Lomax hammered in a strike from 22 yards which brought their tails up but it would only last six minutes before the hosts went ahead again through Mark Phillips.
However, the visitors didn’t just lay down and Russ Brierley’s shot was well saved and Carl Lomax had his effort cleared off the line. But the third goal killed the game off when Ryan Hevican scored.
Both games finishing 3-1 to the home side. A repeat on Tuesday night or something different …. we hope it’s something different!!
