CAMARA BRACE AND BAKER BLOCKBUSTER
Oumar Camara celebrating his early opener at the Marine Travel Arena.
While they were heartened by Brad Rose’s involvement in a surprisingly robust on-pitch work-out before kick off, the fans were eager to see how his newly signed Brazil-born deputy, Andre Mendes, would fare between the sticks too.
Rams, playing in familiar blue, came out of the blocks quickly. A driven diagonal pass by Teague found Oscar Radcliffe on the right; Radcliffe charged forwards to drive a dangerous cross into the box where the returning Oumar Camara, with his back to goal, swiveled to fire high into the net for a wonderful goal, and end his recent drought.
The game was just one minute old.
As at Padiham earlier in the season Camera could not have seen where the goalframe was before instinct led him to produce an unerring and impressive finish.
The dramatic early breakthrough served as the precursor to sustained Ram’s pressure as they imposed their total football. The midfield functioned like a well-oiled engine, with Andy Teague displaying exceptional game reading abilities as he seemed to appear everywhere as the blue shirts dictated the game.
At times it looked as though a route was in the offing but, thanks to David Parkinson the home team’s veteran goalkeeper, and a series of excellent and brave saves, AFC were able to keep the scoreline down as the visitors Rams produced wave after wave of menacing attacking intent.
To their credit to the home side continued with their attractive passing football and were able to threaten Mendes on a number of occasions but his demeanor and composure transmitted itself throughout the team as the Rams shape looked rock solid.
The compelling away performance continued and, on 37 minutes, yet another attack down the right led to the ball bobbling in the box leading to claims for handball, but before the raised voices had quietened, Richie Baker read the trajectory of the clearance to motor in and smash home a beautiful net-stretching half volley in front of the travelling ultras. They celebrated a goal of the season contender – and no more than his impactful passing and outstanding work-rate deserved.
The home side descended into the tunnel with some relief at only two goals down as the visiting Rams were producing one of the best performances of the season.
Any recent doubts about relinquishing the lead, after recent examples. were quickly allayed in the second half as a series of blue attacks once more led to danger being created with the exceptional Teague unlucky to see two efforts come back off the crossbar within a minute. On other days he would have been on a hat trick.
It was no surprise however when the deserved third goal finally arrived. On 57 minutes Oumar Camara advanced into the box before cleverly evading his marker and then burying the ball past the defiant Parkinson for an emphatic finish.
The travelling fans relished seeing Camara, who started the season so impressively, linking up one more with strike partner Tom Hoyle to rediscover his goal scoring touch at a crucial stage of the season.
By way of contrast to the Squires Gate and Longridge closing performances in recent games, the Rams managed out the situation with panache and continued going forwards. Steve Wilkes held fire before making late substitutions to allow those who had worked so hard a breather before a Riverside game under the lights on Tuesday
In the latter stages the home side won a series of sometimes contentious free kicks in dangerous position around the box. This however only provided the opportunity for Mendes, with his powerful frame and demeanor projecting supreme confidence to both the team and the travelling support. One, a rasping daisy cutter, was heading for the corner until Mendes hurtled across the line and almost casually clutching the ball and preventing any red shirted follow up.
The performance, a delight for the fans who made the journey, was a masterclass which will long live in the memory – and arguably the most impressive performance of a wonderful year. It comes just at the right time with fewer than a dozen games remaining at its business end.
The welcoming and good-natured home crowd remarked that the Rams are the best team they have played this season.
Not surprisingly, manager Steve Wilkes was a happy man after the game.
“A really good performance from start to finish”, he beamed. “I thought we dominated from the first minute.
“Glad to see Oumar’s recent goal drought finally put to bed,” he added. “Really please him as he’s been working so hard in training and to finally get his rewards.”
Commenting on one of this week’s new signings, Wilkes went on, “Also pleased with the clean sheet. I though Andre (Mendes) gave us a lot of confidence which spread throughout the team.
“We now prepare for a tough game on Tuesday night at home to Chadderton”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Mendes, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague (Winstanley 85), Barlow, Walder, Tinker (Stacey 82), Baker (Lynch 74), Camara (Fisher 82), Whyte, Hoyle (Uppal 82)
Att: 136
