RAMS 1-1 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN

The Rams made two changes from their FA cup win on Saturday away at Stockport Town as PA Jenkins and Conal Gallagher came into the side to replace Harvey Whyte and Martyn Jackosn. However, two first half goals meant that the points were split as Rammy battled it out with Barnoldswick on Tuesday evening.

Ramsbottom started the game well dominating possession in the early knockings but they weren’t really able to penetrate the defence of the visitors. However, that was until the 25th minute when a shot from Matt Dudley struck the arm of a defender inside the 18 yard area and the hosts won themselves a penalty.

It was the man who won it, Dudley, who stepped up to take the spot kick and with absolutely no problems at all as he buried it in the top right hand corner of the goal giving goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs no chance of reaching it.

The home sided continued to keep the ball well as the half progressed and they were extremely close to doubling their lead on 37 minutes when left wing-back Maine Walder struck a lovely outside of the boot volley from distance that narrowly rose over the crossbar.

Despite the Rams seeing a lot of the ball Barnoldswick managed to pull themselves level just a minute later as Brad Carsley hit a beauty of freekick into the top right hand corner of Ryan Hamers goal, there wasn’t a thing the young keeper could have done to stop it.

The two sides went into the break level with the home side feeling hard done by after they had dominated for large parts of the first 45 minutes.

As the second half got underway it was Ramsbottom who were on the front foot again and Jamie Forbes had a great chances to pull his side level after Whittingham had picked him out with a fizzed cross but the defenders header flew over the crossbar.

On 60 minutes midfielder Jenkins tried his luck from distance when he smashed one hard and low from 25 yards, it got the keeper scrambling but it went a whisker wide of the post.

Rammy continued to push to try and get themselves back in front and Forbes had another sensational chance to do just that as the ball fell to his feet 15 yards out from goal but once more his effort sailed over the top of the net.

The hosts continued to throw everything at their opposition but they just couldn’t seem to find an opening and to the credit of the visitors they saw the game out superbly to earn themselves a point.

A tough match for both sides but one that on a different day the Rams may have very well won. It’s back to the training field for the lads as they now focus on their game against AFC Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Hamer, Radcliffe, Walder, Walker (Sotona 90mins), Forbes (Lockett 73mins), Black, Collinge, Jenkins (Greenwood 73mins), Dudley, Gallagher (Whyte 63mins), Whittingham (Jackson 78mins)

Att: 206