BOUNCEBACKABILITY
Harvey Hayhurst heads in an early Rams opener from Oscar Radcliffe’s deep cross.
And that seems a perfect word to use as the Rams put the midweek loss at Colne well and truly behind them, putting in a fantastic performance to overcome the unbeaten Lower Breck on Saturday afternoon.
The sun made a welcome reappearance and the feel-good anthem ‘In The Summertime’ chimed from the terraces as Ramsbottom United returned to the top of the league with a excellent 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Lower Breck.
The hosts gave loanees Meadowcroft and White a debut and they slotted seamlessly into the midfield while there were several familiar faces amongst the opposition.
The hoped-for breakthrough did not take long to arrive with an excellently worked goal after four minutes. Great work down the right from the exceptional Radcliffe, who confidently broke out of defence with the ball forwards to guide a well-weighted cross towards the far post. Hayhurst, producing an equally lung-bursting effort, met it on the run and beat the keeper with an emphatic header.
The move, involving both full backs, is giving the Rams another dimension going forwards this season.
Despite this, that advantage didn’t last for long as, just six minutes later, the visitors advanced down the left where Tom Douglas cut inside to drill an unstoppable low shot past Rose to equalise.
Rams reacted well – winning a series of corners – while the opposition were looking dangerous on the counter. Camara flashed a chance wide on the half hour, then Scott Sephton rose to meet another Radcliffe cross but, with fans poised to celebrate, the ball dropped agonisingly wide of the post.
At the other end Rose had to be alert, first in getting down low to keep out a daisy cutter and then in producing another outstanding save and pushing a powerful drive over the bar to keep the scores level at the break.
The applause which rang out at half time was for both sides in what was developing into a terrific game of football and things were to get even better.
Maine Walder replaced the hard-working Hayhurst as the second half got underway, and quickly proved pivotal in an exceptional goal.
The Rams were defending a threating position as the ball broke to Radcliffe and he quickly fed Walder. Sensing the opportunity Walder powered down the pitch and showed great vision to pick an exquisite cross field pass for Tom Hoyle. Hoyle took it in his stride to cut inside and then bury this shot in one silky movement. The ball travelled at pace from end to end in seconds – an early contender for goal of the season.
More chances followed. It was no surprise when another combination with Hoyle, this time the provider, releasing fellow striker Camara with an astute low cross into the box. Camara showed composure shooting across the keeper to find the corner of the net to lift the Rams 3-1 ahead.
The side in yellow lost their captain, former Rams defender Michael Fitzgerald to a red card for an off the ball incident, which somewhat spoiled his return to the HWRS but the hosts had done more than enough to take the three points and return to the NWCFL league summit.
At the final whistle, the players joined the supporters in some post-match celebrations, which are becoming increasingly regular and proving evidence of an ever-growing bond. The Rams had passed the test and shown the character to bounce back in what is fast becoming the most enjoyable and remarkable of seasons.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe (Jackson 78mins), Hayhurst (Walder 52mins), Teague, S.Sephton, Meadowcroft, White, Tinker, Camara (Chingwaro 86mins), Whyte (Wilson 74mins), Hoyle (McEvoy 86mins)
