RAMS THROUGH ON PENALTIES
The Rammy players applaud the travelling fans at the final whistle.
The games finished at 2-2 at the end of ninety minutes, but the visitors confidently despatched all five penalty kicks, with the home team chasing, having missed their first attempt.
The game itself was a combative contest with both teams sharing possession in an up-tempo match.
The Rams took the lead as early as the seventh minute when Harvey Hayhurst fed Oumar Camara o0n the edge of the box, and his low drive shot past former Ram keeper ollie Martin in the West Didsbury goal, and in off the foot of the post.
Minutes later Camara went close to doubling the lead but his touch fell just wide of the goal.
Indeed the striker proved to be a handful for the home side as he was on the end of a testing Oscar Radcliffe cross but fired over the top.
On 35 minutes, West Didsbury levelled the score.
A ball out to the left found Cameron Darkwah who slid the ball into the area for Jordan Lazenbury to flick home by the near post.
Moments later the game was almost turned on it’s head as Adam Jones saw his long-range effort whizz inches past the post.
The teams trooped off at the end of a high-octive first forty-five minutes, but it didn’t take the Rams long to regain the lead as the second half began.
After 51 minutes, a high ball into the box saw a handball spotted by the referee, and Harvey Whyte stepped up to blast the resultant penalty into the top corner of the net.
Back came the home side and Brad Rose, in the visiting goal made a superb stop as he tipped over what looked like an equaliser.
The game continued to swing from one end to the other, with Raj Uppal being the next striker denied as he latched on to a tempting low cross from Martyn Jackson, but Martin was able to smother the ball, and minutes later the same pair came together with Martin again in line to frustrate the hard working Uppal.
On 72 minutes, West Didsbury again levelled the score when Lee Grimshaw found acres of space in the Rams penalty area to easily nod home a high right wing cross, and despite the efforts of both sides, there the scoring ended ahead of the obligatory penalty contest.
The result of which saw the Rams progress to the next round of the competition, but, whereas this is a handy side-line competition, the focus will very much remain on a promotion push as the season continues.
Ramsbottom United: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Ogunby, S.Sephton, Walder, Jackson(Lynch 77mins), Tinker, Camara, Whyte(Rigby 72mins), Uppal. Subs not used: L.Sephton, Connell
Att: 121
