Ramsbottom United are coming into 2023 off the back of a positive end to 2022, after a 3-2 win over near-neighbours Trafford.
Despite being pegged back by two Thomas Bentham goals either side of the break, goals from Ben Halfacre, Kelvin Lugsden & James Murphy managed to give the Rams their first win since mid-November against Newcastle Town.
MATCH: Mossley AFC vs Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, OL5 OES.
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League West Division
DATE: Monday 2nd January 2023
KICK-OFF: 3pm
OVERVIEW:
The reverse fixture between these two sides gives the Rams hope after a 3-1 win on August Bank Holiday Monday. Kain Dean, Domaine Rouse & Billy Hasler-Cregg, only the latter still an active member of the squad.
Mossley are unbeaten in their last three games and have only lost one of their last six games – a 4-3 defeat against table-toppers Macclesfield. Their home form also gives our opponents hope having only lost once in their eight home league games this season.
Former Rams player Mason Fawns is in good goalscoring form in Mossley black and white, he’s scored five goals in his last six games – three consecutive goals in his last three as well.
HISTORY:
Many memorable games have been played out down the years both at the Riverside and Seel Park. The Rams have won 12 of the 34 previous meetings, with five draws and 17 defeats.
Ramsbottom United have won four of their last six games against Mossley at the Riverside (L2), a 7-1 win on Boxing Day 2019 is included in that run.
Over 50 players have played for both clubs including the Abadaki brothers – Godwin & Osebi, as well as Ollie Martin, Max Leonard, Jon Robinson, Joel Pilkington & Darryhl Mason.
Check out our “Have We Met?” feature linked below where you can read about the history between the two clubs.
KEY STATS:
Defender Will Hall’s only goal in a Ramsbottom United first-team shirt to date has come at Seel Park when the Rams won 3-0 on the road in August 2021. These games have brought goals over the years, on average at least four goals have been scored.
TEAM NEWS:
New signing Aaqil Campbell was unused substitute for the Boxing Day clash against Trafford. The 27-year-old will be looking to make his Rams debut at Seel Park. Striker Thomas Croughan is doubtful for this game after missing the last game through illness.
DUGOUT THOUGHTS:
Assistant manager Martin Parker spoke about this game in his interview following the Trafford game, “It’s going to be a really, really tough game for us. We’ll go there full of confidence. We’ll go there trying to win, knowing that we can win if we play to the best of our ability and trying to put pressure on Mossley from the off.
“I think we’ve got it, we’ve got to translate that consistency into results now. The message to the fans is just to stick with us. We’re still learning as a playing group and a management group. But hopefully, you can see what we’ve tried to work on in training and certainly, the consistency that we’re looking for is hopefully coming together for us now.”
