AFC LIVERPOOL 2-3 RAMS
The home side got off to a flyer in this one as they won a freekick 20 yards out from goal just six minutes into the game. Kyle Schorah was the man who stepped up to take it and he curled it with pace and real venom into the top left hand corner giving new goalkeeper Lloyd Marshall absolutely no chance.
As the first half progressed the Rams began to work themselves into the game and their first real chance came on 14 minutes as full back Maine Walder fizzed a ball to the back post but Johnny Black could only direct his header wide.
Just six minutes later Rammy had managed to level up the match following some sensational build up play across the midfield, the ball was then played out wide to right back Owen Collinge who drove a ball across the face of goal and Matt Dudley was there to add the finishing touches.
However, despite the visitors working themselves back into the game it was all undone on 33 minutes as AFC Liverpool put together three lovely passes to unlock the Rams defence and Tom Croughan was able to slot home from close range.
As the first half finished the hosts went into the break with a deserved lead and the visitors knew they needed a big second 45 if they were to turn this game around.
The away side started the second half well when Liam Greenwood saw his long range curling effort go narrowly wide of the post on 50 minutes.
Both teams made a number of substitutions as the half progressed and they seemed to be working in the favour of the hosts as Lloyd Marshall, deputising from FC United as regular keeper Ryan Hamer was away, was called into action twice to make two superb saves to keep his sides hopes alive.
Then on 87 minutes the Rams hit on the counter attack and the ball was played out right to Matt Dudley, who drove inside the box and tried his luck aiming for the bottom left hand corner, and his effort bounced in off the post with real precision and Rammy were back in the game.
Then before anybody could blink the Rams struck again on 89 minutes as Harvey Whyte smashed one home from 20 yards giving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
The Ramsbottom lads had showed real character and a real hunger to somehow turn around a game that looked to be lost. When supporters were losing hope of getting anything out of the game the players were more determined than ever and they truly dug in deep to grasp all three points.
A sensational ending to the game and one that Rammy perhaps didn’t deserve over the course of the 90 minutes, but sometimes you have to win ugly and that’s exactly what they did.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Marshall, Collinge, Walder, Walker(Jackson 78mins), Radcliffe, Black, Sotona(Lockett 60mins), Whittingham(Jenkins 78mins), Dudley, Whyte, Greenwood(Gallagher 71 mins), Sub not used: Chingwaro
Att: 169
