FIRST HALF BLITZ IN RAMMY WIN
Rams players celebrate after Rob Wilson adds a fourth from the spot.
A short trip to the pleasant tree-fringed Arbories ground above Padiham for Ramsbottom United on Tuesday.
The Rams had taken a mauling on this very ground last Boxing Day, falling to a heavy defeat and, given the Rams had lost at Longridge on Saturday, a case of re-establishing their high-flying credentials was top of the list.
Tinker came in for Wilson as Steve Wilkes otherwise fielded a welcome settled side and there was little indication in the first quarter as to what was to come with the ball in the air for much of it. A dangerous in-swinging Padiham corner producing a header just over the bar on ten minutes.
Then came a breakthrough. After 20 minutes, Andy Teague set the tempo in driving through a ball which allowed Hoyle to accelerate on the halfway line. Though closely marked, he kept it under control and advanced towards the box. He then had the presence of mind to produce a hard low shot across Hamnett and into the corner to stretch the netting much to the delight of the healthy contingent of Rams fans gathered behind.
A couple of minutes later things got even better for a team who were starting to find their rhythm. The passing game was kicking in, and this time it was Oumar Camara who was found in the box. Camara, unsighted, with his back to goal and closely marked, swivelled to bury the shot past a surprised keeper and into the net in one lovely fluid movement.
On 37 minutes, full back Hayhurst charged down the left flank to pick a hard low cross, which Luke Sephton was able to read, took in his stride and calmly side-footed it home.
The Rams were starting to look now like they were – league leaders! Those questioning whether they were the real deal on Saturday were given an emphatic answer as the team found its flow and produced the sort of performance evidenced against Burscough and South Liverpool this season – but, finally, on their travels.
Just before the break, right back Oscar Radcliffe burst down the wing, got to the byline to drive a beautiful, hard cross that flashed across the face of the goal. The merest nudge, and it would have been a fourth of the evening for the rampant Rams.
Other chances fell to Luke Sephton and Camara again as the Rams could easily have gone in at the break five goals to the good.
However three goals up at halftime, and the Rams were turning on the style. They were in the ascendancy and playing with a certain swagger. The team, however, shipped three second half goals a few days earlier at Longridge and plenty of effort would be needed after the break.
The Rams managed the game well however, with substitutes on both sides appearing around the hour mark and giving Padiham some fresh legs.
The half was brought to life after 67 minutes by Padiham with a sensational strike from distance. The ball fell to Freddie Machell outside the box and his thunderbolt volley flew past Rose into the bottom corner. Even the Rams fans at the other end of the ground applauded the effort, such was its quality.
Would Padiham find a second and make it a nervous finish? The Rams had other ideas and maintained their composure to keep the ball moving through smart passing and movement.
They were rewarded after 77 minutes with a penalty when the referee spotted that Rio McEvoy had been tugged back in the box. Substitute Rob Wilson stepped up to shoot hard and low into the goal to restore the three-goal advantage.
The Rams knew the game was won and there was a chance for a cameo for a couple of the substitutes. One of them, Kudo Chingwaro, was unlucky when his clever goal bound shot was deflected and squirmed just wide of the post.
Overall, some lovely football and a deserved win on the road to put the hoodoo of the last two away games behind them. The hugs and high-five celebrations enjoyed as much by the players as their delighted fans.
Manager Steve Wilkes was understandably delighted, “First and foremost, that was for the fans who turned up on Boxing Day last season.
“I was so pleased with the reaction from Saturday. We had a good chat with the players in the dressing room before the game. We knew Padiham would be a tough place to go to on a Tuesday night but the first 45 minutes was probably the best 45 of the season.
“The chances we created, the goals we scored and Matt the Padiham keeper made at least two brilliant saves, so we were on the front foot from the off.
“I was also pleased with how we dealt with the second half. We knew Padiham would come at us, but apart from a world-class strike, they never caused us any issues.
“Like we’ve said all season, we enjoy the win and now prepare for Glossop on Saturday”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague, S.Sephton, Walder, Tinker (Rigby 78mins), L.Sephton (Ogunby 90mins), Camara (Chingwaro 81mins), Whyte (Wilson 71mins), Hoyle (McEvoy 60mins)
