MATCH: Ramsbottom United v Widnes
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division
DATE: Saturday 13th November 2021
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 afternoon – and tea and coffee in a proper mug!
OVERVIEW:
With just one home game in the last six weeks, it will be nice to feel the familiarity of home soil under the feet this weekend when Widnes head to the HWRS.
Our last home game saw us break our losing streak with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Newcastle Town so it is certainly hoped that something similar is on its way this weekend as two sides firmly at the wrong end of the table do battle – the Rams in 15th place and Widnes two places but six points adrift in 17th.
It is certainly not through lack of trying or lack of resources – we have used 39 players in the 16 competitive games to date – but manager Lee Donafee is finally starting to piece together the team, with recognised players in recognised positions. Last week’s 1-0 defeat at 1874 Northwich hurt as things were on the look up after the Newcastle win but they were cancelled out in what could only be described as a fairly drab contest.
Drab or not, the Rams left with no reward and have found themselves starting to slip down the table although well clear of any potential relegation danger.
So it is time to turn things around, once again, against a Widnes side that have won just once on the road this season – a 1-0 win over Prescot Cables in mid-October – in seven attempts. However, that was also 1874 Northwich’s home record before the Rams headed there last weekend. So stats and records are only there for show – Widnes have lost their last three games too, more stats … and the Cheshire side have won at the HWRS before – in March 2019 1-0.
What does it all mean? Absolutely nothing at all. It will be 90 minutes between two sides fairly low on confidence but the Rams will hopefully come into this game with a small boost given the last time they walked through the Ken Bridge Way gates three weeks ago. All we need is the supporters to get right behind the lads, as they always do.
STAT OF THE PREVIEW:
We have only scored goals in one of our last seven league games – four of them, all in one hit, the last time we played at home.
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE (most recent game first):
Ramsbottom United: L W L L L D
Widnes: L L L W D W
HISTORY:
You can read all about the history between the Rams and Widnes in our comprehensive “Have We Met” article, which is below:
TEAM NEWS:
Manager Lee Donafee spoke to Adam Clark of ramsbottomutd.com ahead of the game and is keen for the Rams to get back to winning ways;
“I cannot wait for Saturday, we need to be focused and at the races from the off.
“We need to start picking wins up on a more consistent basis and remain focused during the full game.
“Another tough opponent in Widnes who have some quality players but as always it will be down to our squad and delivering to the best of our ability as every game is important.”
Jamie Rother should be available and Godwin Abadaki could be back from his long term absence through injury ahead of selection for the game tomorrow.
Khalil Osi-Efa and Joel Earps remain out injured.
