CHARNOCK RICHARD PREVIEW
For the first time in a month, the Rams hit the road and they do so looking to shake off their recent dip in form with a trip to Charnock Richard’s Mossie Park for a crucial game – with an early kick-off.
MATCH: Charnock Richard v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Mossie Park, Charter Lane, Charnock Richard, PR7 5LZ
COMPETITION: North West Counties League Premier Division
DATE: Saturday 8th March 2025
KICK-OFF: 1:00pm
ADMISSION: Adults £7, Concessions £5, U16s FREE
OVERVIEW:
Maybe a game away from the HWRS is the tonic that the Rams need. With three defeats in a row for the first time in 12 months, the hopes of automatic promotion are hanging by a thread with eight games remaining in the campaign but there will be no let up.
However, the sheer disappointment of the last two league games, home losses to FC St Helens and near rivals Padiham, sees the Rams still in second place but within snapping distance of the chasing pack. Lower Breck have two games in hand and are two points behind while the Storks, West Didsbury and Chorlton, Irlam and Chadderton are still very much in the mix for the top five places.
Therefore, the next few games take on considerably more significance than they already did – and it starts with a trip to Charnock Richard, who are down in 15th place and with one win in their last seven league games themselves. That will mean nothing at all, of course, as the hosts proved back in January as the Rams nearly threw away another comfortable lead by conceding a penalty in the 90th minute to make it 3-2 and were forced to hang on in injury time.
This game will kick-off at 1pm due to a private party in the neighbouring social club meaning the game must start early (gotta love non-league football!). But regardless of what time the game starts, manager Steve Wilkes will be instilling into his charges the importance of this and the remaining fixtures.
Four home and four away games are left, every single one vital, important, significant. And the lads need your support!
HISTORY:
Just the three previous meetings between the two sides and whilst the Rams are unbeaten at home with one win, back in January and a draw last season in September, many will want to forget the previous visit to Mossie Park when the home side struck five in a 5-1 success (pictured above).
Matthew Johnson’s 69th minute strike pulled the game back to 3-1 but Bury-bound Rustam Stepans scored twice late in the second half to seal the comprehensive success.
STEVE WILKES SAYS:
“I was really disappointed with the performance on Saturday against Padiham. It looked flat from the first minute and it’s my job to change that before a difficult game on Saturday at Charnock Richard.
“We have eight big games coming up and we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get back to doing what we have been good at all season. That is the message that we will be giving to the players and we know how crucial these remaining games are, starting with this one.”
