LOWER BRECK PREVIEW
So the unbeaten record fell at the hands of nemesis Colne but, as you were always told as a child when you fell off it – time to get back on the bike and try again! The games continue to come in droves so, dust off, shape up and prepare for the visit of an unbeaten Lower Breck to the HWRS on Saturday.
MATCH: Ramsbottom United vs Lower Breck
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom, BL0 0BS
COMPETITION: North West Counties Premier Division
DATE: Saturday 24th August 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ADMISSION: Adults – £9, Concessions – £5, U12 – £1 (with paying adult) – CASH ONLY
OVERVIEW:
Naturally it was bitterly disappointing to lose the unbeaten record that had lit up the season. Was it a surprise – the words in these very previews said otherwise, our record against Colne is nothing short of awful so to go down 1-0 high on Pendle Hill, well, those pesky witches casting their spells!
No time to dwell though. Tuesday night has passed and its time now to focus on a challenge from the west in the shape of fourth place Lower Breck, a team who have started the season in superb form and whose only defeat has come in the FA Cup away at Hallam – and we know thats not an easy place to go.
Some familiar faces will be coming through the turnstile and heading into the away dressing room – Owen Collinge, Michael Fitzgerald and James Murphy (who hasn’t played so far this season) plus coaches Lee Donafee and Warren Hemmingway. This is most definitely not a game to be taken lightly and a slightly dented Rams will certainly know that.
Chadderton took over top spot in the table and the Rams are still just a point behind in second place. Lower Breck are just one further point back with 12, having secured three wins and three draws from their opening six.
A 2-1 win at Burscough on Tuesday night continued that run and followed comfortable wins over Padiham and Litherland REMYCA as well as a 1-1 draw with FC St Helens. Saturday’s game will be a fourth successive away game for them.
As for the Rams, it is back to home comforts. That renewed sense of improvement still firmly in tact. It just wasn’t to be on Tuesday night – like so many times against Colne. But you can’t win ’em all, no matter how hard you try so put that aside now and move on to the next challenge.
We will all remember the matches with Lower Breck last season. A 3-2 win in January with goals from Harvey Hayhurst, Matthew Birchall (pictured above) and Luke Jackson ensuring all three points stayed at home, despite Lewis Buckley’s double including a 97th minute nerve jangler but the reverse game over in Liverpool will surely be remembered for Ryan Hamer’s crazy red card and the unfortunate Luke Roscoe being thrust into goal – and seeing five fly past him in a second half deluge.
Once again, a reminder that Ramsbottom Cricket Club’s 2nd XI are scheduled to have a game across the other side of the fence on Saturday, taking on Nordon 2nd XI (12.30pm start). So why not make a day of it and come to the ground in good time, secure a car parking spot and make a day of it!
It should be a very good game between two teams in great early season form – we shall see! After all, there was 12 goals in the two games last season!!
STEVE WILKES’ THOUGHTS:
“I was surprised and disappointed with the players attitudes, especially in the first half. There are no easy games in this league and credit to Colne, they wanted it more than we did. It is a reality check for us all.
“But we’ve started the season well so we put Tuesday’s game behind us and prepare for what will be another tough game on Saturday against a good Lower Breck side who have started the season in good form.”
