LONGRIDGE TOWN PREVIEW
After two home wins on the bounce, the league leaders Ramsbottom United (got a nice ring to it!) hit the road for the next couple of fixtures, the first of which sees us head north to Longridge Town, who might just be on clock watch!
MATCH: Longridge Town v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Inglewhite Road, Longridge, Preston, PR3 2NA
COMPETITION: North West Counties League Premier Division
DATE: Saturday 31st August 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ADMISSION: Adults £7 | Concessions £5 | 12-18 £2 | Under 11 free with adult. Pay on the gate.
OVERVIEW:
Eight games played and the Rams are still top of the table. Long may it continue. 22 goals scored, just six conceded, two points clear of the chasing pack (who do have games in hand) and we are the second highest goal scorers in the league thus far, only Bury have more with 23.
The feel good factor still sits positively in the hearts and minds of the Rammy faithful but manager Steve Wilkes continues to play it all down.
After all, there are still 38 games to go and, as a vastly experienced manager that he is, he knows that anything could happen. But, one thing is for certain, he is enjoying the ride and his charges are certainly putting on a show – as they did on the soggy Tuesday night with a sensational 4-0 win over South Liverpool.
The next challenge for the Rams is at Longridge Town, who started the season in positive fashion, winning four of their first five games, including an 8-0 humbling of Colne (so that’s how you do it!!). But since then, things haven’t gone quite as well with just one victory form their last four – two of which were Cup games but they did fall 2-1 at home to Chadderton on Bank Holiday Monday.
One thing that will be happening on Saturday is that our hosts will be firmly watching the clock as it was very, very late goals which denied them last season against the Rams. Johnny Black’s 99th minute strike (pictured above) in the away game in August gave the Rams a 2-1 victory while the return game in November – it was Matthew Dudley on 92 and Luke Sephton on 96 that hauled the hosts up from 3-1 down as the clock ticked over 90 to 3-3 when the final whistle blew.
This is Longridge Town’s seventh match of the season – and their sixth at home! They have played just one on their travels thus far. Go NWCFL!
As for the Rams on the road so far this season – one win, one loss and one draw – it promises to be a very good game and, to all the Rammy fans, let’s continue to get right behind the lads!
STEVE WILKES SAYS:
“It was another good performance from the lads on Tuesday night and partnerships are beginning to form nicely all over the pitch. But we, once again, won’t be getting carried away as it’s very early in the season.
“We are preparing now for what will be a tough game at Longridge on Saturday and look to continue our good start to the season.”
