WASTEFUL RAMS EXIT VASE
Rams Manager Steve Wilkes leads the team as they thank the fans their support over in West Yorkshire.
Ramsbottom United exit the FA Vase at the Second Round stage after Northern Counties East leaders Silsden capitalise on a flurry of missed chances by the visitors.
Remembrance Day is always poignant for football fans and a chance for reflection when so many are together and yet so quiet. The minute’s silence was impeccably observed by all supporters.
The Rams arrived at Silsden, in a fine run of form with 13 unbeaten games, faced a fellow top pf the league team in Silsden in the semi-pastoral North Yorkshire
Izac Khan replaced the suspended Harvey Whyte and there was a welcome return for Richie Baker in midfield. Playing in the usual blue, the opening 15-20 minutes were positive for the Rams, with several chances created.
Hayhurst had a powerful shot blocked in the fourth minutes while Scott Sephton was unlucky not to score following a goal mouth scramble. Two close-range chances fell to Oumar Camara, but he was unable to poke either chance home.
Rams’ keeper Brad Rose was honoured this week with a league award and in the tenth minute produced another from his ever-growing catalogue of incredible saves with a crucial flying dive across his line to prevent a what looked a certain goal.
At the other end Silsden Goalkeeper Bradbury was also active, making several saves, while the visitors wing backs caused problems for the opposition.
In the 16th minute however a Rams attack broke down and suddenly the team was out of shape. A clever ball found its way through after a defensive stumble and Stewart was able to race clear. Rose advanced but the striker cleverly slipped the ball under him to give the home side a slightly surprising advantage – and delight the home crowd.
Falling behind stung, with the Rams struggling to find their usual fluency – and worse was to follow.
A free kick awarded in a dangerous position outside the edge of the box after 32 minutes was drilled in low and diverted past Rose and into the net for a clever goal and further encourage the home support.
The second half saw the Rams struggle to find their usual fluency, with occasional pockets of good play. The home team also worked hard to prevent the visitors from building momentum, with smart counterattacks posing a constant threat.
With about 20 minutes remaining, a series of niggles culminated in Andy Teague being sent off following an altercation but unlike the previous week at Glossop the dismissal did not affect the dynamic as the game was already lost.
The Rams support, aware the game was gone, stepped up the volume with loud renditions of this season’s ‘in the summertime’ anthem echoing around the tidy Silsden ground. The players, led by Richie Baker’s tempo-setting accurate passing, responded by creating a number of chances – without ever looking truly convincing as the final effort invariably went begging.
The Rams battled to the end, but the efficiency with which they took their chances, along with their resolute defending, meant it was the home team that progressed to the next round.
Despite the defeat the players ran over to receive the acclaim of the substantial traveling support. The undefeated run may be over but chance perhaps to build another as a more normal one game a week routine takes us through the coming winter months.
Manager Steve Wilkes cut a disconsolate figure after the game: “A really frustrating afternoon.
“I think everyone who saw the game will agree we were the much better side, and if we had taken our chances in the six-yard box in the first 20 minutes, it would have been a different result, but we didn’t and Silsden took theirs.
“Good luck to Silsden in the next round”.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague, S. Sephton, Walder, Baker, L. Sephton, Camara (Ogunby 67mins), Khan (Carter 86mins), Hoyle. Subs not used Tinker, Meadowcroft, McWilliams
Att: 252
