LITHERLAND PREVIEW
Our last match of October and its the first of three on the spin on the road as the Rams put their 11-match unbeaten run on the line with a tricky away game at Litherland REMYCA who certainly have proven that they are no push over!
MATCH: Litherland REMYCA v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Litherland Sports Park, Boundary Road, Litherland, Liverpool, L21 7LA
COMPETITION: North West Counties League Premier Division
DATE: Saturday 26th October 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ADMISSION: Adults £6 | Concessions £4 | Under 12s FREE (with an adult) | Dogs welcome
OVERVIEW:
With a full week off between games for the first time this season and just the eleven days between league games, the Rams hit the road and head west to Liverpool, to Litherland REMYCA, a side who are down in 20th place in the table.
The REMYCA – a combination of the REM Social Club and the Bootle YMCA and who have been in existance since 1959 – are toughing it out this season with just five wins from their 18 starts and have bagged 19 points thus far, ten points above the drop zone. With a single win in their last five games and a 0-5 loss at Irlam on Tuesday night, the red and whites come into this match hoping to turn their form around.
However, they have won their last four games at home – the only four wins on their pitch from nine starts – beating Squires Gate, Longridge Town, Prestwich Heys and South Liverpool – so no one will be taking this game for granted.
As for the league leading Rams, who are still there despite not playing for a week and a bit, just two points clear of Chadderton and 11 clear of Bury in third – yes, they do have games in hand – the run of eleven games unbeaten, nine wins and two draws, has certainly given the team and the club a real verve, a real good feel but no one is getting carried away.
Manager Steve Wilkes is certainly not allowing for that to happen with tough away games with Litherland and Glossop in the next week before the FA Vase comes back into view with a trip to Silsden for the first time in 13 years.
The team is in fantastic form since the surprising loss to FC Isle of Man in mid-September and everyone wants that to continue. The squad continues to grow so places are being firmly contested throughout and that’s just the way the manager likes it.
This game in Liverpool won’t be easy as last season’s game, which went right down to the wire … and beyond … proved.
HISTORY:
This will be the 3th competitive meeting between the sides since the first last season, starting with the early January 1-1 draw on the road (pictured above). Matthew Dudley’s 70th minute strike was cancelled out in the 98th minute by Elliot Taylor which culminated in the home manager being dismissed after the final whistle.
Just a month later though, the Rams delivered a 5-1 victory at the HWRS courtesy of the Matthew Birchall and Luke Sephton doubles following Luke Jackson’s early lead taker.
STEVE WILKES SAYS:
“We come into this game in great form but we won’t be resting or banking on anything, this will be a really tough game against a good Litherland side who have won their last four on their pitch.
“The lads have come through some really tough battles of late but the much needed rest this week – at long last – has done us the world of good, players are rested, refreshed and ready to go again.”
