ALL WHYTE ON THE NIGHT
Late, late show as Harvey Whyte leads the celebrations after his dramatic winner against Squires Gate.
High drama to end the calendar year as Harvey Whyte’s last gasp strike secured all three points against Squires Gate on Saturday afternoon.
After the hosts missed a plethora of chances through the entirety of the second half, substitute Whyte then sent the home faithful into raptures with his victorious effort in the 96th minute. Oscar Radcliffe put the Rams ahead after only fifteen minutes, while James Hughes was on target for Squires Gate with an equaliser in the 68th minute.
Five changes were made to the side that held Bury on Boxing Day. Harry Winstanley, David Lynch, Corey Stacey and Oumar Camara replaced Richie Baker, Rhys Turner and both Harvey’s, Whyte and Hayhurst. Goalkeeper Tommy Davis made his debut for the Rams in place of the injured Brad Rose.
On a bleak midwinter afternoon at the HWRS, the Rams flew quickly out of the traps and went ahead after only 15 minutes through Oscar Radcliffe. Playing in his familiar wing back role, Maine Walder flew a low, teasing cross into the box that Radcliffe converted with an effort into the left hand corner.
Having taken the lead in the opening stages of home games throughout the season so far, the early opener came as little surprise.
Prior to Radcliffe’s goal, Oumar Camara tested Gate’s defence with a shot wide of the post, while both Radcliffe and Walder caused havoc in the wide areas whenever they had hold of the ball.
As the first half progressed, Ramsbottom made every attempt possible to double their advantage. The best chance fell to captain Andy Teague whose header was cleared off the line by Chris Webster.
The momentum did turn just before the first half interval with Squires Gate growing into the game. A dangerous cross from Cox was well blocked by the Rams defence, before striker Dean Ing failed to convert a header from James Hughes.
The best chance however fell to Gate defender Webster. Ghosting in behind the Rams backline, the full back unable to direct his header on target as the effort looped over the bar.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the Rams regaining the momentum, with Walder the driving force from left wing back. After sending a free kick effort onto the bar, he shortly after teed up Tom Hoyle with a low cross that the striker was unable to convert.
Luke Sephton and Walder combined effectively in transition during another attacking move, yet striker Camara could not finish the chance off.
Disaster soon struck as Gate then equalised in the 68th minute. After Sephton felled Cox in one of his tricky runs forward, Hughes converted the subsequent free kick with a long-distance strike past Davis.
Rammy were now suddenly chasing the game, with manager Steve Wilkes making a whole host of changes in the second period.
Both Hoyle and Camara were replaced by Raj Uppal and Rhys Turner, while Richie Baker and Whyte came on for David Lynch and Sephton.
The Rams would throw caution to the wind with efforts aplenty. Subs Turner and Whyte came close to finding the winner, although failed to break down the visitors defensive wall. The best chance fell to Uppal in the 90th minute, although he somehow agonisingly missed an open net, slicing a shot wide of the post.
Sensing an unexpected setback in the title race at the worst possible time, Whyte then stepped up with a low drive into the bottom left-corner, with the clock showing six minutes of added time played. Cue pandemonium from all four corners of the ground as the effort put in by the home team finally paid off.
That goal kept the Rams level with Bury at the top of the table, although Bury have played one game more.
No doubt there will be more heart-stopping moments before this season is out!
Manager Steve Wilkes was exhausted as the players and supporters at the final whistle: “Phew! Sometimes you need to win a football match the ugly way and we did that today.
“Having said that, we had five cleared off the line. Fair play to Squires Gate who I thought were excellent. Manager Luke Evans has nothing to worry about if his team keeps putting in performances like that.
“But full credit to my players for never giving up and going right to the end, and we finally got our rewards.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Davis, Radcliffe, Walder, Teague, Barlow, Winstanley, Lynch (Baker 76), Sephton (Whyte 69), Camara (Uppal 79), Stacey (Meadowcroft 90+6), Hoyle (Turner 65)
Att: 297
