HAYHURST WONDER STRIKE AS RAMS SLIP

Harvey Hayhurst volleys in Richie Baker’s corner for a sure goal of the season contender.

Ramsbottom United travelled to Chadderton on Friday evening on the back of a six-game winning run. The match took place at Avro, a curious mix of modern artificial turf alongside wonderful old school style goal frames and played out in a warm spring evening with the crowd clad in shorts and T-shirts.

Richie Baker captained the Rams a testament perhaps to his splendid current form and the team, playing in blue started brightly. Harvey Hayhurst – another in a richer vein of form – in a more advanced role on the right and effectively making a front three.

Hayhurst, Tom Hoyle and Oumar Camara all caused problems and were augmented by the rampaging figure of Oscar Radcliffe who came close with a driven shot just over the bar after twenty minutes. Any thoughts that this was an end of season dead rubber were soon discounted as the red clad home side played as though their lives depended on it.

It made for a blood and thunder encounter with a cup tie feel as Chadderton’s attitude made it hard for the Rams to get into their rhythm – although their own work rate was equal to that of the home team.

Slightly against the run of play it was Chadderton who took the lead in the 33rd minute. They found space on their right before the ball reached the center of the area. It was controlled and smartly struck past Andre Mendes by Tyler Berry. The breakthrough seemed to encourage the home side who took the game to the Rams and could have had more as they enjoyed a good period of football up until the break.

The second half brought no immediate changes to the team but did see the Rams play some of the best football of the past decade as they were able to find their rhythm with passes on the ground and delightful interchanges and triangles between Hayhurst Whyte and Radcliffe. They caused all kinds of problems to the home side as wave after wave of Rams attacks entertained the visiting supporters.

It was some surprise that they had to wait till the 65th minute for the equaliser but it was well worth their patience. A corner from the left was floated in by Ritchie Baker as Hayhurst, without waiting for the bounce, swiveled and crashed a volley past Latham in one flowing movement. The strike caused a net-stretching bulge in the sagging old school netting and further adding to the dramatic experience.

Player of the Month Hayhurst scored a wonder goal at the Riverside a couple of weeks previously but, if anything, this sumptuous volley surpassed it and will long live in the memory of the Ultras – who exploded with excitement. The goal was of such quality that even the home supporters gathered around the press box stood in acknowledge of it.

The Rams then were back in the game and continued going forwards with like lovely passing fluent football but there was to be a sucker punch.

Chadderton remained motivated and broke down the right; the ball once again found its way to the centre of the box and was hammered past an exposed Mendes by James Purfield for 2-1 to the home side.

The Rams continued with wave after wave of attacking football in the closing minutes with a strong penalty claim waved away and their closest effort came from a surging run from Maine Walder with a powerful shot striking the crossbar.

Although a truism in football that the league table doesn’t lie, it doesn’t always reflect the nuances of a particular game. Those who travelled will be left scratching their heads as to how the Rams didn’t come away with a comfortable victory against gallant opponents. This could be balanced against the recent game at Prestwich in which the Rams snatched the points at the death in a fortunate manner.

Full credit to Chadderton for such a competitive encounter. From a Ramsbottom perspective if there was to be a defeat, better in such a fixture. Rams acquitted themselves admirably and their efforts were deservedly acknowledged by the travelling supporters at the close.

Coach Scott Campbell shared his thoughts after the match, “I think we showed a lot of character, played or tried to play the better football”.

He added, “Personally I thought we were the more dominant side until the first goal, as I think we had four or five maybe half-chances that we should have done better with, then the first slip in concentration cost us.

“To be one down at the break was a little hard to take and I felt with a little more protection, we may have been a couple up.

“In the second half we started well and dominated the ball and possession but to no great impact until possibly the goal of the season from Harvey Hayhurst. After that I thought there was only going to be one winner, but we struggled to have any real dominance in front of goal.

“Once again the second half was very physical and I think we have been very lucky to get through ninety minutes with no injury concerns for next Saturday.

“The second slip in concentration cost us the second goal, by not stopping the cross and allowing runners to get into the box. It was a frustrating night for us but we’re not downhearted as I feel the lads put in a good shift and played a lot of good football on the 3G pitch. The lads are eager to get to Saturday and put the result right”.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Mendes, Radcliffe, Walder, Walker (Stacey 80”), Barlow, Matthews, Hayhurst (Wilson 75”), Baker, Camara, Whyte, Hoyle (Turner 66”), Subs not used: Lynch, Tinker

Att: 194