A GAME OF TWO HARVS
Harvey Whyte congratulates Harvey Hayhurst after his stunning 44th minute strike.
Ramsbottom United returned to home turf with a visit from a red clad Litherland, who although 20th in the league, are surely safe for another season.
There was little indication as to what was to come in a scrappy first 12 minutes of the game. The ball was in the air with an endless series of throw ins – with the ball having to be retrieved from the nearby river Irwell on occasion.
It was to get worse for the blue shirted Rams as, on 12 minutes, a through ball found visiting dangerman James Hammill in space in the box before being challenged, unfairly, according to referee Mr. Ross, by Luke Barlow. Hamill, with 26 goals to his name already this season, added to his total by dispatching the penalty in sending Mendes the wrong way and giving the visitors the lead.
The Rams seemed groggy for a few minutes, shocked by the unexpected events. Litherland created another chance on 23 minutes with a long-range lob over home keeper Andre Mendes fortunately striking the crossbar, as the home supporters held their breath watching the ball descend.
The Rams regrouped and responded well with Tom Walker at the heart of the Rams midfield leading by example, chasing and tackling and always available. Walker provided a constant supply of simple forward passes on the ground to get the home team ticking again. Suddenly the Rams were into their usual total football groove and with plenty of off the ball movement in dangerous areas by Harvey Hayhurst and Tom Hoyle.
The team created a series of chances and, on 33 minutes, came the equalizer. A home corner was only half cleared and Hoyle chased down the loose ball. With his back to goal, he swiveled and smashed the ball through visiting keeper Patrick McLaughlin and into the net in one sumptuous movement.
More dangerous Rams moves followed just as it looked as though it appeared the visitors might escape to halftime with the scores level, Hoyle chasing down a loose ball by the corner flag, played a simple ball back to Hayhurst on the edge of the box. Hayhurst, running away from goal and without looking up, smashed the ball across McLaughlin and it dramatically bent in off the inside of the far post where its venom and spin took it across the goal line and into the net for a fantastic finish.
Hayhurst has been back to his very best in recent weeks and was mobbed by teammates before going across to the supporters to celebrate with them as the Rams were able to go into the halftime break with a valuable two one lead.
As the second half got underway a series of contentious decisions seemed to fire up both supporters and teams, as a series of potential fouls on Rams players were waved away by the referee.
Rather than foster any sense of grievance the home side reacted well and kept their composure and on 58 minutes, Harvey Whyte received the ball out on the left before advancing and letting fly from the outside the box. The arcing shot was over and across McLaughlin before nestling into the top corner for a wonderful finish – met with delight all around.
Confidence was evident, starting to turn on a masterclass at home, playing with a swagger. More goals looked likely as attack after attack came from the blue shirts. Litherland, to their credit, kept to their task and rode their luck at times to keep the scoreline respectable.
Ten minutes from the end came an example of astute management. The act of giving Hoyle a breather was turned into an art form by Steve Wilkes. The relatively recent regulation of leaving the pitch at the closest point meant a walk past the entire Rams ultras for the popular front man and admiration for his all-round effort and stunning strike was reflected in a series of fist bumps and high fives enjoyed equally by all parties.
Unlike previous encounters at Riverside, a two-goal lead didn’t prove difficult to maintain and in truth the home side could have added more as they reached 84 points and surely booked their place in the end of season playoffs.
Rams manager Steve Wilkes summed the game up. “Apart from the first 15 minutes, I was pleased with the performance,” he stated. “We rode our luck and could have been 2-0 down but after that I thought we controlled the game and in the end should have won by more goals”.
“We looked back to being a threat every time we went forward”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Mendes, Radcliffe (Ogunby 87), Hayhurst (Stacey 89), Winstanley, Barlow, Walder, Walker, Lynch (Tinker 79), L Sephton, Whyte (Wilson 85), Hoyle (Camara 80)
Att: 235
