MATCH: 1874 Northwich v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: The Offside Trust Stadium, Townfield, Barnton, Northwich, CW8 4LJ
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League West Division
DATE: Saturday 6th November 2021
KICK-OFF: 3.00pm
DISTANCE FROM RAMMY: 39 miles, 47 minutes
ADMISSION:
You can pay on the gate – adults £8, concessions (over 65) £5, Under 12-Under 17s £1, Under 12 FREE.
OVERVIEW:
It has been two weeks since the Rams turned around their poor run of results with a scintillating performance to down Newcastle Town 4-0 at the HWRS.
And while it would have been good to been able to keep that momentum up, it also gave the team a chance to recharge, reset and repair ahead of a full list of November Saturday’s, starting with a trip into the unknown at 1874 Northwich.
The league newcomers, promoted via the points-per-game system from the North West Counties League last season, become the 116th different league opponents the Rams have had in the semi-professional ranks.
1874, managed by Paul Bowyer and former Rammy assistant Wayne Goodison, currently sit in 14th place in the table, three places and two points behind the Rams and have also had a two week break in action since beating Prescot Cables 2-1 at Volair Park.
However, their home record – a shared home with NWCFL outfit Barnton – has seen them win just once in seven attempts, losing five in the process. Their only home win coming against Kendal Town 4-1 in late August.
The Rams do go into this game with a spark of confidence, looking to rocket their way back up the table (yes, those are firework references!) after the excellent victory two weeks ago.
It promises to be a good game between two mid-table sides but two sides with undoubted talent to (bon)fire their side to victory on the day.
Kick off is at 3pm – let’s get behind the Rams as always.
STAT OF THE PREVIEW:
Saturday’s game with 1874 Northwich will be the first game we have played in the month of November for two years as the third lockdown curtailed the league programme after our game with Prescot Cables on 31 October 2020 and we didn’t play again.
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE (most recent game first):
Ramsbottom United: W L L L D L
1874 Northwich: W L W L D D
HISTORY:
Unlike previous articles, there is no history between the Rams and 1874. So here is the piece we wrote about our opponents and how they came to be alongside us in the NPL West Division.
TEAM NEWS:
Manager Lee Donafee gave the players last Saturday off and was certainly vindicated in that decision by seeing the intensity in training this week.
“We took the confidence that we took from the last game with Newcastle and I was impressed by what I saw on Tuesday and Thursday. There was a lot of graft at both sessions and this group is coming more and more together, which is great for us.”
Captain Tom Kennedy returns to the squad for the unavailable Luke Merrill while James Ngoe has been sent on loan to Yorkshire-based Emley for some game time.
And there is also a big signing that we will announce later on the website too…. keep an eye out for that!
Look ahead to the game, Lee knows a little about their side “as I have managed quite a few of their lads in the past!”.
He continues… “They are a good side and this will be a tough test for us but we need to look to break them down and get the result as this is the beginning of a big three weeks for us.
“A good result on Saturday will be a positive step forward and use that confidence built after the last game.”
