Here is our latest edition of Rammy On This Saturday as we look back at the events on the pitch on the respective Saturday’s in our non-league history.
SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 2016
STOURBRIDGE 2 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3
There is a well used phrase in football… “It’s the hope that kills you”. And after a horrendously traumatic week which had seen the HWRS become a part of the River Irwell, the Rams were forced to hit the road on the opening weekend of 2016 hoping for a bit of a boost.
The Rams had picked up a good draw at home to Stamford the week before Christmas which still left them marooned at the foot of the Northern Premier Division table.
But this result at Stourbridge put smiles on the Rammy followers faces as their side secured their third league win of the season thanks to two late goals from a debutante.
On a wet Saturday afternoon in the West Midlands, the visitors were up against it early on with Grant Shenton pulling off a great save before Stourbridge’s free kick smashed a free-kick onto the bar.
Rammy started to get into game with strikers Aaron Smith and Jordan Bove linking well up front and it was the pair of them that created the opening goal when Smith’s shot was parried by the keeper into Bove’s path who slotted home from close range. It was to be Bove’s final goal for the Rams as his loan spell from Oldham Athletic came to an end.
A 1-0 lead at the break was fair reward but Stourbridge bounced out for the second half and it needed more great saves from Shenton to keep them at bay. But they were not to be denied, although it came in controversial circumstances as Broadhurst’s strike, which didn’t look like it crossed the line to all in the ground, including the home side supporters, was given the nod by the referee’s assistant.
It set up a grandstand last ten minutes, especially when Danny Wilkins – on as a substitute for Bove on 68 minutes – put the Rams ahead from a corner and then he grabbed a second as Wilkins turned his man and fired a shot low across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t have been a typical Rams performance without a touch of late drama as Stourbridge pulled one back with a minute left on the clock but the visitors secured all three points to kick off the new year with a win and four points from the last six available.
A much needed three points as the Rams edged tentatively towards an unlikely safety… it is the hope that kills you!
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Grant Shenton (capt), Prince Haywood, Luke Heron, Marcus Poscha, Nia Bayunu, Jake Cliffe, Kade Coppin, Alex Meaney (David Kuba-Kuba 76mins), Jordan Bove (Danny Wilkins 68mins), Aaron Smith, John Pritchard. Subs not used: Charlie Doyle, Cameron Dudley, Robbie Bromley.
SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 2010
GLOSSOP NORTH END v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED – POSTPONED
Rammy’s Vodkat League game at Glossop North End was postponed because of heavy snow in the Derbyshire town.
SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 1999
KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 2 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0
Having secured three consecutive 2-1 victories in the North West Counties League, the Rams travelled south to high flying Kidsgrove Athletic where Ken Bridge’s side unbeaten run came to an end.
Not sure what it is about Kidsgrove really – they just have this India sign over us over the years. The Rams have only beaten twice in 14 attempts since the first meeting in 1997 – those wins came in 1999 and 2018.
But the Staffordshire side ran out 2-0 winners on this day as well to leave the Rams sat in mid-table while the hosts continued their hopes of securing the title.
