Edition number five of this series looking back at the events on the pitch on the respective Saturday’s in our non-league history.
SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 2015
NO GAME (maybe thankfully)
SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 2009
BOOTLE 3 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 6
(Match report from the Lancashire Telegraph)
RAMSBOTTOM United went goal crazy on Merseyside as they thrashed a Bootle side who had only conceded four goals at home all season prior to Saturday.
In a helter-skelter of a first-half, some superb build-up play allowed defender George Bowyer to line-up a long-range effort which was fumbled into the net by Bootle keeper Daniel Wise.
But Ian Johnson levelled almost instantly before John Robinson put the Rams back in front – all inside the opening 18 minutes.
As the game continued to be played at a frenetic pace, Daniel O’Connor and Anthony Hickey had put Bootle into a 3-2 lead before Robinson grabbed his second to make it 3-3 at the break.
Both managers were frustrated with their defending and it was Ramsbottom who addressed that issue in the second half while continuing to attack at will.
And Barry Massey headed home a Matt Edgington cross before Andy Sensale rose supremely to meet Barry Shuttleworth’s fine free-kick to make it 5-3.
And 12 minutes from time, Sensale grabbed his second to complete the scoring in a stunning game as he got on the end of James Morley’s excellent pass.
RAMSBOTTOM TEAM v BOOTLE 2009: Damien Rooney, John Blackley, Kieron Fletcher, George Bowyer, Barry Shuttleworth, Eddie O’Neill (Phil Dean 62), Mark Sharples, Barry Massey (Andrew Sensale 66), Joel Pilkington, Jon Robinson, Matthew Edgington (James Morley 77). Subs not used: Lee Connell, Matthew Ellis.
SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 1998
CHEADLE TOWN 2 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3
FA VASE PRELIMINARY ROUND
It had been a very busy season for the Rams up to this point with two games in the week every week since the start of September, with the lengthy run in the FA Cup still ongoing. But defeat in the first leg of the LFA Trophy round one just 40 hours previously on the Thursday evening at home to Darwen meant we came into this game, away at Cheadle Town in the preliminary round of the FA Vase probably fairly weary.
However, Ken Bridge’s side shook off any stiffness from the quick turn around to progress to the first round of the competition with a 3-2 win with Billy McCartney, Mark O’Brien and Steve Brennan all on the scoresheet.
Still in the FA Cup. Still in the FA Vase. But only three wins from 10 starts in the North West Counties League Division One will have been a disappointing start to the 1998/99 season despite the decent cup runs.
