SOUTH LIVERPOOL PREVIEW
No Bank Holiday Monday fixture for us this year as the game was moved to Tuesday night and we welcome another new name to our fixture list – a club steeped in history but our paths have never crossed. After Saturday’s superb bounce back win over Lower Breck, the Rams are back to top of the table (before Monday’s games) and welcome South Liverpool.
MATCH: Ramsbottom United vs South Liverpool
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom, BL0 0BS
COMPETITION: North West Counties Premier Division
DATE: Tuesday 27th August 2024
KICK-OFF: 7:45pm
ADMISSION: Adults – £9, Concessions – £5, U12 – £1 (with paying adult) – CASH ONLY
OVERVIEW:
So the Rams are back to the top of the table after the brilliant 3-1 success on Saturday over previously unbeaten Lower Breck. OK, teams do have games in hand over us and just three remain unbeaten but we are two points clear of Chadderton and three ahead of Charnock Richard (as we write this on Sunday night).
It was the measure of the teams’ return after the Colne loss that was pleasing on the eye of the Rammy faithful. Such disappointment could have lingered and doubts start to creep in – not a bit of it said Steve Wilkes’ charges. An early goal, an early riposte but then an impressive second half double ensured all three points were pocketed and a swift return to the summit of the league table after seven played.
The next challenger is a new one to the Rams – but a club that have been in and out of existance since the 19th century. They have folded, returned, folded again and formed again for a third time. Founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968, they would remain in the top flight until their second demise of 1991.
Since then, they were staples of the Liverpool Combination, then the West Cheshire League before finally taking the step to join the North West Counties in 2021. Two seasons later they were promoted via the play-offs from Division 1 North and here they are, gracing the HWRS for the very first time. We welcome everyone from South Liverpool.
It has been a moderate start to the campaign with a win over Glossop North End 2-1 but a couple of league losses to Prestwich Heys 0-3 and Abbey Hey 0-2 in their last two and they have only hit the net twice in their opening five encounters – those two in the Glossop success. It has been a tough start to life in the top division and they hold 17th place in the early standings.
But that should not fool anyone – ask a team with just one point before they played us last week! This will be a stiff test of the Rams’ early season endeavours as the squad with some 30 players listed (including six goalkeepers) certainly have plenty to pick from.
For the Rams, there is no getting carried away – the management and coaches are keeping the players feet firmly on the ground. Oumar Camara, Tom Hoyle and Luke Sephton are all finding themselves in prime goalscoring touch so there is plenty to be positive about. Let the good times roll once again … hopefully!
STEVE WILKES’ THOUGHTS:
“It was really pleasing to see the nature of the performance on Saturday after the disappointment of Tuesday night. There were some strong words said after the game at Colne so for the team to turn that around was great from them.
“But we can’t rest of those laurels and we will go again against strong opponents in South Liverpool, who haven’t had the best start but that means nothing at this stage of the season.”
