MISSED CHANCES COST RAMS AGAIN
Harvey Hayhurst fires in the Rams early goal but that was as good as it got.
Despite taking an 8th minute lead through Harvey Hayhurst, second half goals from Tom Creer and Luke Booth saw IOM take all three points. To make matters worse, the home side finished the night with 10 men after Scott Sephton was sent off after picking up two yellow card offences.
Manager Steve Wilkes made three changes to the side held by Glossop at the weekend. Henry Ogunby replaced the injured Oscar Radcliffe at wing back, with Andy Teague and Tom Hoyle replacing Cullen Meadowcroft and Josh Tinker.
The early stages proved difficult for both back lines with a flurry of chances for each team of attackers. After the Rams fluffed a chance in front of goal after just 20 seconds, the visitors went up the other end with Tom Creer’s effort needing a Brad Rose save to keep the Rams level.
Left wing back Hayhurst broke the deadlock within ten minutes, however. Latching onto a cross from the right-hand side, the number three’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar which sent the net bulging.
The opening moments proved frantic, with keeper Brad Rose and goalscorer Hayhurst keeping the score level. After Rose kept out Booth’s effort with a smart save, Hayhurst’s goal line block then denied Creer an equaliser.
Steve Wilkes’ side were momentarily two goals up, but Tom Hoyle’s strike was chalked off after a high elbow from Andrew Teague in the build-up.
The league’s early pace setters then missed a flurry of chances to put the game beyond IOM. First, Tom Hoyle’s long-range shot was blocked by Killey, then Sam Baines denied the frontman again with a goal saving challenge. Oumar Camara missed a series of close-range chances, while Hayhurst missed an opportunity to score his second of the night.
As referee Samuel Fletcher blew the half time whistle, the Rams left the pitch bewildered at the quantity of chances squandered.
With both sides missing a chance each at the start of the second half, neither side looked potent in front of goal. Paul Jones’ side had other ideas, however.
FC Isle of Man levelled in the 68th minute with Creer firing home the equaliser. The Rams could only watch on helplessly as Creer’s faintest of touches glanced past Rose, sending the away side into delirium.
Remaining positive after the leveller, Rammy responded well and fell victim to a series of remarkable saves by Killey. The keepers’ save to keep out Camara was arguably the games defining moment, coming at a time when the Rams had regained the momentum. The man between the sticks had previously denied Rob Wilson too, with his defenders quickest to clear the danger that followed.
Disaster then struck for Rammy in the 84th minute with Luke Booth scoring the winner. Picking up a loose ball in midfield, Ronan McDonnell’s long clearance forward met Booth who lifted an effort over a helpless Rose.
To make matters worse, Scott Sephton’s night ended early after picking up a second yellow card offence. Consequently, Sephton will now miss next week’s league encounter with rivals Bury.
Steve Wilkes was unsurprisingly despondent at the close of play. “Once again our finishing has cost us,” he said.
“We simply cannot keep missing the chances we are creating. These aren’t difficult chances. Over the last two games we’ve missed eight opportunities in the 6 yard box. That simply isn’t good enough.
“The good thing is, we are creating the chances, but we need to start putting them away.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Ogunby (Lowery 78’), Hayhurst, Teague, S. Sephton, Walder (Tinker 45’), Wilson (Meadowcroft 72’), L. Sephton, Camara, Whyte, Hoyle (McEvoy 78’) Sub not used: Booth
Att: 188
