RADCLIFFE HEADER SECURES TOWN WIN

Oscar Radcliffe rises high to head home the only goal of the game.

The swirling rain and cold windy conditions hardly made for a classic game of football, but to be fair, both sides gave it their best as the effort from both teams was evident from the first whistle.

The Rams took control from the off, with a wave of attacks, but the home side held out despite two Rams appeals for a penalty, and a cross coming back off the bar.

With the ever-reliable Oscar Radcliffe providing a raft of dangerous crosses from the right, much of the game was being played in the Stockport penalty area, but Andy Teague, Oumar Camara, Tom Hoyle and Harvey Hayhurst were all frustrated as fierce defending kept the home goal intact.

So it was no surprise when the siege on the Town defence was eventually successful as a right-wing in-swinging corner from Maine Walder caught the wind as it sailed under the bar for Radcliffe to apply the finishing header on 27 minutes.

At that point, it looked as though the floodgates may open, but, despite all the territorial advantage, the Rams could not breach the stubborn home backline again.

The travelling fans were wondering just how such a dominant 45 minutes had only produced a single goal, whilst Rams keeper Brad Rose was almost relegated to the position of spectator.

The away side continued to dominate the second half, although a no doubt stern warning in the home dressing room did have an effect as Stockport showed more spirit as the game wore on, but the Rams forwards, ably supported by a hard-working midfield, continued to torment the Town defence without seriously threatening to trouble home keeper Josh Schofield.

As the minutes ticked down with just the one goal lead, nerves became evident on the terraces, as any late lapse by the Rams rearguard could have been punished, but with the returning Luke Barlow slotting in effortlessly, the visiting defence dealt with any likelihood of danger with aplomb.

The final whistle blew on a much-deserved, if a little disappointing 1-0 win, when in reality the margin of victory should have been higher, in keeping with the Rams dominance.

But it still gives the team another three points as the battle at the top of the table begins to boil up.

It doesn’t look as though any side is going to run away with the title, and all Ramsbottom United can do is concentrate on every game in the hope of gaining maximum points to see where this takes them come the end of April.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague, Barlow, Walder, Lynch(Stacey 66mins), Baker, Camara(Evans 90mins), Whyte, Hoyle. Subs not used: Tinker, Meadowcroft, Ogunby

Att: 404

Everyone at Ramsbottom United would like to wish their supporters a very merry Christmas, as they look to providing the fans with a very Happy 2025!