MATCH: Ramsbottom United v Prescot Cables
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division
DATE: Saturday 12th March 2022
KICK-OFF: 3.00pm
ADMISSION:
You can pay on the gate – adults £9, concessions £5, students (age 17-18) £6, children under 12 £1 (with a paying adult). Pie and Peas available throughout the evening – and tea and coffee in a proper mug! Programmes are £2 each.
OVERVIEW:
This is a big game. There is really no doubting that whatsoever. Prescot Cables are one of the sides that are desperately trying to claw the way out of the dreaded ‘relegation play-off’ spot and just four points separate them from the Rams in 15th place.
Cables have played two games more but this is a vital game and could either open up a seven point gap or slice the deficit to just one should either side win. A draw probably does no favours either way.
Their fine 2-0 win over Colne last time out saw them jump out of that dotted line zone but they have found themselves back there again as Colne beat Widnes in midweek.
But the Rams have found themselves playing some good football of late. Many thought they should have got something more than a 2-1 defeat last week at Fortress Leek Town and the 2-0 win over 1874 Northwich ten days ago put the horrors of the 3-0 loss at Glossop behind them.
With a generally fully fit squad to pick from, manager Lee Donafee is hoping that the Rams’ good home form can continue. Cables have only won 3 of their 16 games away from home, but two of those away wins have come in their last four games, including the Colne win last Saturday.
The Rams have nine games left – five of them are against teams in the lower echelons of the table (Prescot, Colne, Kendal, Kidsgrove and Market Drayton). There is a lot still to play for but a win today will certainly give the Rams a little bit of breathing space.
STAT OF THE PREVIEW:
Prescot Cables have not beaten the Rams at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium since 21 December 2002 – the Rams winning six of the seven meetings at home since moving up to the Northern Premier League in 2012. The 2-1 win for Prescot back in September – thanks to a late goal from Leon Johnson broke a run of four Rammy wins.
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE (most recent game first):
Ramsbottom United: L W L W L D
Prescot Cables: W L L L W W
HISTORY:
You can read all about the history between the Rams and Prescot Cables in our comprehensive “Have We Met” article – originally produced for the September fixture.
FUNDRAISING FOR UKRAINE:
At the match tomorrow, we will be fundraising for Ukraine. There will be supporters at various points around the ground through the afternoon and all donations are welcome.
TEAM NEWS:
Manager Lee Donafee knows how much this game means on Saturday.
“It is a big game for both teams with a massive three points that both are in need of,” he said. “We need to be at it from the first whistle and put in a performance that won’t be matches.
“We were unlucky against Leek but with that game gone, we nee to take the positives and build on what was a strong performance.”
He confirms that there are no injury concerns and that new signing Tony Donaldson has had a great week training but that the game may have come a week early.
Tom Kennedy, Godwin Abadaki and Jason Carey are all back and available and there might be another signing in the offing too…. so keep your eye out!!
