ROSE TO THE RESCUE
Rams stopper Brad Rose pulled off some fine first half saves to keep the home side out.
Despite taking the lead after only five minutes through Tom Hoyle, the Rams were arguably fortunate to come away with a point by the full-time whistle.
Barlick striker Gareth Hill fired home the equaliser after 66 minutes and on another day the home side could have taken all three points. A series of superb first half saves from Brad Rose kept the score line respectable, with the league leaders heading back down the M66 largely content with a draw by the final whistle.
Two changes were made to the side that beat FC Isle of Man last weekend. Captain Andrew Teague returned to the heart of the defence in place of the injured Maine Walder, while Martyn Jackson replaced Josh Tinker.
Steve Wilkes’ side were once again quick off the starting block and took the early lead. Tom Hoyle converted a 12-yard spot kick with a cool finish, the strikers’ 10th goal of the season.
Buoyed by Hoyle’s penalty, Ramsbottom searched for a quick fire second, although their efforts came to no avail. Martyn Jackson missed an opportunity to double the away sides lead shortly after, while Barnick keeper Callum Jakovlevs repelled a Scott Sephton header in the 24th minute.
The promising start was cut short however as Stephen Pickup’s side slowly grew into the game, testing the visitors defence. Chasing a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league, the Rams defence was eager to add to their tally.
Brad Rose proved to be a colossus in that effort, making a series of point-blank saves as the half progressed. After denying Leon Creech an equaliser, the man between the sticks then kept out a long-range Jenson Butterworth strike.
His finest work would come in the 39th minute, once again denying Creech. The former Ramsbottom striker reacted quickest to a Jack Gooden cross, yet his low header was tipped wide of the target by Rose.
Fortune was favouring Rammy in a first half onslaught, with Gareth Hill the latest to squander a guilt edge chance.
As the first half reached its conclusion, both sides returned to the dressing rooms bewildered at how only one goal had been scored between them.
The second half lacked the frantic nature of the first yet remained entertaining to the crowd that braved the elements. Captain Andy Teague came close to doubling the away sides’ advantage with a header that drifted wide of the target.
After calming the first half storm, the Rams luck ran out in the 67th minute. A mix-up between Rose and Teague saw a loose back-pass hurtle towards an empty net where Hill made amends for his early woes catching his opposition out cold with a smart finish.
Now looking the most likely to win the game, Barnoldswick almost took the lead shortly after with Creech crashing a long-range effort onto the bar. With their backs very much against the wall, the Rams’ defence held firm with skipper Teague marshalling his teammates through a shaky period.
In a late onslaught, the season’s early pace setters nearly won the game late on. Winning a free kick in a promising position on the edge of the 18-yard area, the subsequent attempt from Harvey Hayhurst drifted high and wide over the bar.
Then in stoppage time, midfielder Luke Sephton struck the post from a tight angle, his movement effective but his finish not quite precise enough to find the net. With both sides faltering in front of goal throughout the night, a point a piece was the fairest result.
Rams manager Steve Wilkes offered his thoughts after the game: “Definitely got away with one. I think everyone could see the players were out on their feet having been away in the Isle of Man at the weekend.
“On top of that, missing three starters in Maine Walder, Harvey Whyte and Rob Wilson was always going to be tough.
“We rode our luck on a few occasions but I think if we’d put away one of two glorious chances when we were winning 1-0, the game would have been different.
“Credit to the players for keeping going when it was clear to see that we weren’t at our best.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague, S. Sephton (Ogunby 76mins), Meadowcroft, Lynch (Tinker 59mins), L. Sephton, Camara (Uppal 76mins), Jackson (Wright-Ocana 69mins), Hoyle
Att: 163
