Here is our latest edition of Rammy On This Saturday as we look back at the events on the pitch on the respective Saturday’s in our non-league history.

SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER 2015
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1 STAMFORD 1

This was a huge relegation six-pointer at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium but neither side would have been overly content with a point from the 1-1 draw.

And it was a similar tale to the meeting between the sides earlier in the season, although not quite as dramatic as the three goal turnaround, as Stamford came from behind to level and claim a share.

On a heavy pitch where control was proving difficult, both teams never gave up but it was the visitors who probably felt they deserved more than their point.

The game began fairly evenly. Grant Shenton, in the home goal, had to be alert as early as the fourth minute as he pushed a close range effort round the post, before both Jordan Bove and Shelton Payne went close for the hosts at the other end.

Jordan Smith and Elliott Hodge both broke through the home side’s defence, looking certain to open the scoring, but dithering allowed a saving tackle to be made, thwarting the visitors, who were almost made to pay for it moments later.

David Kuba-Kuba received the ball on the edge of the box before placing his shot superbly past Ashley Timms in the away goal, only to see it bounce back into play from the inside of the post.

Bove then sliced the ball wide when he should have done better with a Luke Heron cross before the home side took the lead on 24 minutes.

Payne raced into the box before being brought down, but having dusted himself down, he calmly slotted the resultant penalty to the keepers left to open the scoring.

If that should have given the Rams confidence, then it soon evaporated.

Just two minutes later some woeful defending in the penalty area saw Stamford’s forward three times direct free shots at goal that were somehow blocked, but a fourth effort from Hodge finally broke the resistance and the scores were level once again.

Just minutes later Jake Duffy thought he had given the Lincolnshire side the lead with a superb curling free-kick which took a last gasp save from Shenton to turn it round the post.

Aaron Smith and Payne both had chanced to put the Rams back in front before the break, but failed to do so.

With tiring legs on the heavy surface, the second half produced fewer goal-scoring opportunities as play generally fizzled out in both penalty areas.

Alex Meaney’s 25-yard thunderbolt deserved better than to fly past the post, whilst the ever-dangerous Payne twice went close to notching a winner, firstly with a wriggling run into the left-hand side of the box, and then when he found space in the area, but was denied by a fine save from Timms.

Jordan Smith almost stole it for the visitors in the dying minutes but he headed weakly wide when unchallenged from a right wing cross, leaving both sides to settle for a point each which does neither of them much use as they battle away at the bottom of the table.

Ramsbottom United: Grant Shenton (capt), Prince Haywood, Luke Heron, Marcus Poscha, Nia Bayunu, Alex Meaney, John Pritchard, David Kuba-Kuba, Jordan Bove, Aaron Smith (Michael Oates 70mins), Shelton Payne. Subs not used: Liam Gibson, Robbie Bromley, Jake Cliffe, Matthew Crothers.

SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER 2009
COLNE v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED – POSTPONED

This Saturday’s clash in the Vodkat League derby between Colne and Ramsbottom United was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER 1998
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 2 LEEK CSOB 1

The Rams made it back-to-back wins with a hard fought 2-1 win over Leek CSOB at The Riverside.

That success, on the back of goals from Steve Orrell and substitute Andy Clarke, who came on as early as the 20th minute when Russell Brierley dislocated his shoulder, which would rule out the club’s leading goalscorer until at least February 1999.

So to keep the momentum of the 2-1 win over Bootle seven days previously pleased manager Ken Bridge as he felt that his squad had enough depth within to cover for the stricken striker.

Midfielder Steve Brennan could lead the front line while young Mark Westhead impressed with a 20 minute run out during the game.

And all eyes were now on next Saturday’s big local Boxing Day derby against Rossendale United.