SUPER RAMS UP TO SECOND
Scott Sephton heads in Rammy’s second from Harvey Whyte’s corner kick.
On a pleasant afternoon, in the pleasant surroundings of FC St Helens ground, the visiting Rams supporters enjoyed an excellent afternoon of football.
Having won their opening two league fixtures, the hosts would have been looking forward to a tight game against the Rams, but in reality, it proved to be a one-way traffic event with the visitors on top from the very beginning.
This new-look Ramsbottom team seem to have the experience and desire to set out their stall in an effort to garner as many points as possible, as the avowed intention to return to the NPL could well turn out to be a realistic aim, based on early performances.
The blue shirts surged forward from the off, with Kuda Chingwaro inches away from connecting with a spectacular overhead kick, before sending Harvey Hayhurst through, only to see the latter’s fierce drive skim past the far post.
Despite the early pressure, the home side had a great chance to take an undeserved lead when a slip by Harry Winstanley saw a home forward power forward, but Brad Rose made a terrific save, pushing the ball wide for a corner.
It was then back to the other end. Harvey Whyte was just wide from 20 yards, Tom Hoyle saw his header skim the bar, and the Rams pressure continued to build.
It was no surprise when a Hayhurst left-wing corner was finally nodded home by Hoyle on 29 minutes to give the visitors the lead that their dominance had deserved.
More chances were created, seeing a Luke Sephton header clearing the bar, Chingwaro’s shot being blocked and Hoyle firing an effort from outside the area straight at the over-worked Joe Mason in the home goal.
So there was a tinge of disappointment that the half-time whistle sounded with only the one goal advantage.
The second half continued in a similar fashion. Hayhurst was slipped through but his effort blocked, Whyte’s audacious clip sailed just wide of the far post, and the Rams continued to bombard the home goal.
The second goal finally arrived on 55 minutes when a Whyte corner was firmly headed in by the towering Scott Sephton.
The visitors continued to control the game, leaving the home side searching in vain for a way to breach the Rams defence, but any intrusion into their defensive territory was quickly dealt with, and further goals only seemed likely at the other end.
A third arrived on 83 minutes, when a well-judged ball from Hayhurst, cleared the St Helens defence and sat down perfectly for Luke Sephton to fire home from ten yards.
A scuffle on the half way line resulted in a red card for St Helens Harry Hagan, and a yellow card apiece for each side, but by then the damage had been done.
Substitute Oumar Camara thought he had added a fourth in the final minutes, only to be deprived by an offside flag.
A fourth goal would not have flattered the Ramsbottom team, as this was an imperious performance that sends out a message to the rest of the league.
The strength and experience that manager Steve Wilkes has introduced this season, looks likely to produce more results and performances like this one.
The manager was understandably happy at the final whistle: “Really pleased with the performance and result, even more so when we had two of our more experienced players missing.
“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish against a team unbeaten so far in the league this season.
“Again my only disappointment is we didn’t score more goals, but that’s just the way I am.
“A special mention to Harvey Hayhurst who was involved in a terrible road accident on the way to the game. We asked Harvey if he wanted to play and he said 100%. So for him to contribute with two brilliant assists is testament to his character.
“We move on to another tough game on Tuesday at home to Irlam”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Walder, Tinker, S.Sephton, Winstanley, Hayhurst (Ogunby 94mins), L.Sephton(Camara 88mins), Hoyle(Turner 64mins), Whyte, Chingwaro(Jackson 69mins). Sub not used: Teague
