The Rams come into this one off the back of a 0-0 draw with Hanley Town on Tuesday night. Rammy picked a valuable point in that clash and they will certainly be hoping to build on that result in their first home game of 2023 against Glossop this weekend.
MATCH: Ramsbottom United vs Glossop North End
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Bridge street, Ramsbottom, BL0 0BS
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League West Division
DATE: Saturday 4th February 2023
KICK-OFF: 3pm
Admission:
You can pay on the gate – CASH ONLY – adults £9, concessions £5, students (age 17-18) £6, Children under 12 £1 (with a paying adult). Pie and Peas available throughout the afternoon – and tea and coffee in a proper mug! Programmes are £2 each (you can find these just before the turnstile)
Overview:
This is certainly a must win for the Rams and everybody involved with the club is under no illusion that it is anything else. However, the fact that this is Ramsbottom’s first home game since the turn of the year will give them a massive boost. The chance to play in front of their home fans and to have their support will be huge.
Rammy are still in search of their first win of the new year and they will be desperate to get that in this encounter. If the home side are able to pick up a win in this one then they would move just three points behind their opposition.
Glossop have been able to pick up an impressive six points since the year began drawing three of those as well as beating City of Liverpool 3-0 away from home. The visitors find themselves 12th in the form table whereas the Rams are down in 18th. Although, form isn’t everything and there is only six points and three places separating the two teams and if either side manage to get all three points on Saturday then they will be looking much better for it.
Lee Donafee only made one change to his starting line-up on Tuesday night as the young goalkeeper Matty Frampton came in for Harry Turner. There hasn’t been too many occasions where the gaffer has been able to name a unchanged outfield team and that has to be a huge encouragement for Rammy.
History:
You may remember that the website used to run an article called “Have We Met?”. When it comes to Glossop and Ramsbottom, it is more of a case of “When Haven’t We Met?”!!
Since that article was produced we have faced off a few times and this will be the 41st meeting between the sides since the first back in 1997 in the North West Counties League Division 1.
Last season’s league clashes saw a 0-0 draw at the HWRS in September while the home side claimed a comprehensive 3-0 success at Surrey Street, with a goal from former Ram Jamie Rainford and a brace from Keaton Mulvey.
Leon Creech and James Murphy sandwiched Mulvey’s equaliser in the FA Trophy clash back in September but at Surrey Street in the league back in October the Rams fell to a 2-1 defeat despite taking the lead through a Michael Fitzgerald penalty.
Managers thoughts:
“We will be looking to build on the hard working point that we gained on Tuesday. We know that the effort levels have been at a good standard but for me we need to be more creative in games which we are focusing on. We are also working to strengthen the squad and credit to Jono he’s been class the past few weeks with his support towards myself and the club.”
I’m praying to the footballing Gods that come Saturday at 5pm my players and the Ramsbottom fans can enjoy their nights with three valuable and much needed points. In order to get them we need to keep faith, keep working hard and most importantly take our chances when we get them, in recent games we missed a penalty, hit the woodwork and have not been ruthless enough.”
“I want to thank the fans who have followed the team to recent away games and voiced their great support to the players during the games, It has been appreciated and they will repay the support.”
Team News:
• Kamoy Mcnair has joined us from Salford City on a months loan to help boost the forward line.
• Will Hall and Oscar Radcliffe are back from injury and are in contention to start on Saturday.
• Leon Johnson is back in training but he is still a couple of weeks away from being in the matchday squad.
• Lee Neville has been working hard to get back from a broken toe and he should be available for squad selection.
