JACOB TREBLE CLOSES THE GAP

Jacob Holland-Wilkinson gives the Rams an early lead with the first of his three first half strikes.

The sun shone brightly at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium in Ramsbottom on Saturday afternoon with golden leaves gently falling on a lush pitch.

Abbey Hey are in the lower reaches of the division but started brightly, probing away and looking to stretch and pick their way through the Rams defence.

The Rams also battled for everything and on ten minutes, Jacob Holland -Wilkinson, a revelation since his arrival, drove forwards and into the left of the box and with the angle tightening fired a fierce shot past Connor Beard in goal.  It struck the inside of the base of the post before nestling into the netting in front of the home supporters to his and their delight.

The early breakthrough presaged a period of dominance from the home side as their total football passing game carved open the visitors open on several occasions.

Holland-Wilkinson turned provider to tie up Harvey Whyte who shot just over the crossbar a few minutes later the visitors struggled to stay into the game.

There was to be a slightly bizarre second goal for the Rams in the game it came from Holland-Wilkinson.

On forty-three minutes Maine Walder got down the left flank and put in a cross.  It looked as though it was covered by Abbey Hey, but the defender ducked in an attempt to reach it and the ball looped up and then dropped.  Lurking there was Holland Wilkinson five yards out – who gleefully smashed it into the net for his second goal of the afternoon.

With half time approaching the visitors sought to manage out the remaining seconds of the half and perhaps go in and regroup, but the Rams allowed no respite.

A splendid move once again located danger man Holland-Wilkinson. He sprinted down the left and into the box adjusting his body shape while in full flow before unleashing a thunderbolt which whistled past Beard to bulge the netting in front of the delighted ultras to give this talented young striker a first half hat trick.  It follows the one he notched at Euxton last month.

The second half became an example of game management for the Rams. They continued to create chances with Oscar Radcliffe surging forward and having an effort cleared off the line, but the home side seemed content to sit back and let Abbey Hey have more of the ball. They did just that but really lacked the cutting edge to really trouble the home defence although Brad Rose had to remain alert to deal with a snapshot from distance – which he saved comfortably.

Holland- Wilkinson made way after the hour to sustained applause from the crowd and Steve Wilkes followed up with a series of substitutes in the coming minutes as all the match substitutes gained valuable minutes on for a marathon ahead.

Just as it looked as though the Rams were going to manage out and three nil win and keep a valuable clean sheet there was to be a final flourish in the closing seconds Matt Dudley pickpocketed a defender by the goal line in the closing seconds of injury time. Though running away from goal, it was a clear penalty and up stepped Harvey Whyte who confidently drove the ball past Beard and high into the net to give the Rams a deserved four-nil score line.

The referee indicated that that was the last kick of the game and blew the final whistle to the delight as the players all ran across to the ultras to celebrate together news came in that rivals Padiham had stumbled and the lead at the top had been cut to just two points.

Days like these represent everything the founders of football meeting at the Freemason’s Tavern in October 1863 imagined the game might develop into. Played in a good spirit with two teams going at each other with skill and flair and of course some sensational goals for the fans to enjoy.

Rams go again in the latest of a seemingly endless series of home fixtures on Tuesday night.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe (Ogunby), Walder (Hayhurst), Wallbank, Barlow, S Sephton, Baker (Whittingham), Walker (Stacey), Dudley, Whyte, Holland-Wilkinson (Bennett)

GOALS: Holland-Wilkinson (9, 43, 45+2); Whyte 90+7

ATT: 262