LATE MATT MAGIC SEALS GNE WIN
Matt Dudley wheels away in celebration amongst the dejected Glossop players.
One of those games that looked destined to finish a blank emphatically swung in favour of the Rams thanks to Matt Dudley’s late moment of magic.
His deft, 87th minute overhead kick, from another trademark Oscar Radcliffe cross, left the Glossop ‘keeper stranded as the ball nestled into the bottom corner earning another vital three points in the battle at the top of the Premier Division.
In the absence of club skipper Andy Teague, Richie Baker once more donned the captain’s armband.
Glossop, wearing orange, came on the back of a bad run the consecutive defeats but belied that form by confidently knocking the ball around at the back and trying to pull the Rams defence out of shape with strong running on either flank. The one element of the game they lacked was someone in the middle to finish their promising moves.
For the home side it was a frustrating 45 minutes as they tried, with minimal success, to get their fluid passing game going. Too often the final pass was hurried, hit an opponent, or deemed offside – with a delayed raising of the flag, frustrating players and fans alike.
Glossop were good value for going into the break at nil nil.
The second half pattern became a repeat with the ever-willing Luke Sephton worked hard to force things before succumbing to a thigh problem after 55 minutes. It led Steve Wilkes to bring on Jacob Holland Wilkinson – who’s made such an impression at the Riverside this season.
Glossop however nearly took the lead when a long-range effort narrowly cleared Brad Rose’s crossbar with the keeper at full stretch.
The rather meagre home crowd tried to rouse their team, with drums being beaten by a youthful section and augmented by occasional screaming – although the Rams were not that bad – likely occasioned by the proximity to Halloween.
In response to the tedium Rams continued to press and made a couple of substitutions with Scott Sephton making a return for the injured Hayhurst.
There was to be a rousing finale. With around five minutes remaining in-form Oscar Radcliffe decided to take matters in hand and raced down the right flank to produce a deep cross. It looked too high, but Holland -Wilkinson produced a remarkable athletic leap to meet the ball and head it back across Harry Allen for what looked like the opener. To his dismay however, the ball dropped agonisingly wide of the far post – with crowd poised to celebrate.
With the clock ticking it looked as though the Rams crucial chance had gone and bogey team Glossop would repeat the latest in a series of unexpected results.
No one was leaving early, and they were to be rewarded for their patience.
Radcliffe was finding remarkable reserves of energy and with just three minutes remaining accelerated at pace down the right wing. He drove in a lovely cross, but striker, Matt Dudley, faced away from goal. Dudley, however, read it and, with exceptional balance and timing, swivelled and dragged the ball over his right shoulder and into the left of the goal for a spectacular finish leaving keeper Harry Allen stranded.
Dudley’s expertly taken goal was greeted with a guttural roar from the Rams ultras gathered behind as his teammates raced to him to celebrate with him.
Glossop were unable to find a way through as the referee awarded 5 minutes of injury time. One had to feel for the team and their passing principles and looked good value for a point, will surely climb the table.
For the Rams it may not have been the most fluid performance but winning ugly is an important part of successful teams and the clean sheet the second in a row. It also breaks the hoodoo and keeps the pressure on leaders Padiham.
At the end the team went across to their fans and, judging from the joyous noise emanating from the home changing rooms serenading those departing the ground the spirit within the team is at the highest of levels.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst (S Sephton), Wallbank, Barlow, Walder, Baker, Walker (Whittingham), Dudley, Whyte (Bennett), L Sephton (Holland-Wilkinson) Not used: Stacey
GOALS: Dudley (87)
ATT: 156
