We once again dip into the Ramsbottom United archives to see what happened on this respective Saturday in our non-league semi-professional history. And, it will be centered on 2011, 2005 and 2000.
SATURDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2011
NO MATCH
SATURDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2005
NEWCASTLE TOWN 4 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1
(Chris Boothman’s match report via the Lancashire Telegraph archives)
This NWCFL Division One defeat leaves the Rams struggling to keep in touch with the leading trio and probably ended any real chance of overhauling runaway leaders Fleetwood Town.
Manager Derek Egan persisted in playing a formation unfamiliar to many of the players and the result was a distinct lack of conviction and understanding throughout the team.
In contrast, their hosts oozed confidence.
Ewan Purcell returned to the side following a short break in America, to partner Michael Saunders returning from injury.
Both teams looked well equipped to break down the opposition defences.
However, Newcastle were able to gain control in terms of possession and territorial advantage, with Andy Bott and Michael Lennon looking lively up front.
The Rams forced a couple of early corners which came to nothing and eventually the home side made the vital breakthrough on 27 minutes.
A defensive mix-up between Adam Kozlowski and Bill Robertson allowed Bott the opportunity to fire the ball beyond Mark Andrews, which he gratefully accepted.
Although the Rams struggled to gain control during the first half, they still looked capable of causing Richard Froggatt problems in the Newcastle goal.
On the stroke of half time Newcastle were awarded a corner and further confusion inside the box allowed John Diskin to head the ball towards goal, enabling defensive partner Mark Beeston the chance to side foot the ball over the line from six yards.
This was the killer blow and severely dented any aspirations of a comeback.
Moments after the restart Purcell fired across the face of goal and inches wide of the far post, following good work from Bernard Morley.
The pressure continued and the efforts finally paid off on the hour mark when a long ball over the top of the static Newcastle defence put Saunders in and he made no mistake by calmly nodding the ball beyond the advancing Froggatt and side footing into the empty net.
Saunders was again in the thick of the action minutes later when he should have done better from six yards.
Purcell then rose well to flick on a free kick and Saunders beat his marker before firing a powerful shot from six yards directly at Froggatt that the Newcastle keeper did well to keep out.
This was a turning point in favour of the home side as they soon extended their lead through a dubious goal from Lennon.
After a clear foul on Morley, the striker was allowed to continue his run before beating Robertson and somehow beating Mark Andrews from the acutest of angles.
Victory was then sealed when Lennon was brought down by John Blackley inside the penalty area and Bott slid the spot kick into the bottom corner sending Andrews in the other direction.
Ramsbottom United: Andrews, Raywood, Frost, Kozlowski, Robertson, Blackley, Walsh, Purcell, Saunders, Morley, Brooks. Subs: Hayes (for Kozlowski), Cook (for Walsh), Edgington (for Frost).
SATURDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2000
ATHERTON LR 1 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 2
(Report from the Lancashire Telegraph archives)
Atherton LR crashed 2-1 at home to Ramsbottom United, going behind after just three minutes.
They rallied well with two players on loan from Trafford, Chris Patterson and Barry Massay, making impressive debuts.
And they levelled levelled on 55 minutes when Patterson forced the ball over the line in a mad scramble.
Both sides squandered chances in the second half before a last-minute penalty decision gave it to United.
MoM for Rovers was centre back Chris Smith, promoted from the Reserves, while ex-LR star Neil Wallace was MoM for United.
