Rams outplayed at home by a strong Workington performance in a 10-man-a-piece thriller.
After a win and two draws in their last three games, Ramsbottom entered this encounter in reasonably good form and confident of another result against Workington. However, after goals from Reuben Jerome, Connor Tinnion and Scott Allison that saw the end of Rammy’s recent run of good form.
The early stages of the game were relatively even with the home side having a massive penalty shout waved away after Temi Ajibola was brought down by an extremally late challenge inside the box just two minutes into the game. The visitors had a chance of their own just a minute later when Allison saw his effort creep just the wrong side of the post.
As the game progressed Workington began to get a foothold into the match and were passing the ball around nicely forcing the Rams players to chase shadows. Then on 18 minutes, the relentless pressure from the away side told when ex-Ramsbottom man Reuben Jerome latched onto a Symmington ball and smashed home from 12 yards out giving Charlie Monks no chance.
The away side continued to create chances and they went close to doubling their lead through Symmington after he put a lovely ball straight across the face of goal.
As the later stages of the first half approached the Rams began to grow into the match and Ajibola won a penalty for his side after being brought down by Thomas Mahone just as he was about to pull the trigger. The referee deemed this to be a clear goal-scoring opportunity and Mahone was sent off for his troubles.
It was new man James Murphy who stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was superbly saved by Jim Atkinson and the visitors went in at the break a goal to the good.
The second half started slow and Workington were once again keeping the ball well despite being down to ten men. Then on 66 minutes, Rammy themselves were down to 10 men after Will Hall received a second yellow card for a foul on the edge of his own 18-yard box.
Connor Tinnion stepped up for the free-kick and doubled his side’s lead rubbing the salt into the wounds of the hosts who were now two goals down and also like their opponents reduced to 10 men.
Then just over 10 minutes later on 78 minutes Scott Allison added the finishing touches to a lovely piece of football from Workington to extend his side’s lead to three goals and wrap up a routine win for the visitors.
The away side saw the game out extremally well and just continued to frustrate the Rams who picked up five yellow cards over the course of the evening.
Ramsbottom turn their attentions to the FA Trophy this weekend where they’ll be hoping for a much-improved performance against Glossop, hoping to progress to the next round of the competition.
RAMSBOTTOM – Monks, Radcliffe, Murphy (Shannon 78′), Barlow, Hall, Holt (Creech 59′), Grimshaw, Fitzgerald, Ajibola (Jennings 64′). Rouse, Hasler-Cregg. Unused subs – Rother & Donaldson
Attendance – 292
