CHADDERTON PREVIEW

Second against third.  The Rams against Chadderton.  Just one point separates the sides as we enter the final furlong of this marathon season.  To say it’s huge is an understatement.

MATCH: Ramsbottom United vs Chadderton
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom, BL0 0BS
COMPETITION: North West Counties League Premier Division
DATE: Saturday 21st March 2026
KICK-OFF: 3.00pm
ADMISSION: Adults – £9, Concessions (over 67) – £5, U12 – £1 (with paying adult).
NOTE: We are a CASH ONLY stadium – there are NO CARD FACILTIES at the ground.

OVERVIEW:
After an outstanding victory over West Didsbury and Chorlton on Tuesday night, coming from behind to secure a vital 3-1 success to extend our winning run to three games, attention turns to, arguably, the one remaining giant hurdle between now and what may be.

Seven games remain in the regular season but this clash, with a fantastically in-form Chadderton side who are unbeaten in their last 13 games and who have only dropped four points along the way, will be seen as match of the day in the NWCFL for sure.

Just two points separate leaders Wythenshawe, who grabbed a late draw on Tuesday night against Atherton LR, and Chadderton in third, although the Ammies do have a game in hand but are winless in their last four.  Chadderton still have the Rams and fourth place Atherton LR and play-off challenging Irlam to play while the Rams have this game, West again on Wednesday night and finish off away at Laburnum Rovers on the final day.

And not forgotten a number of other games with some teams that have nothing to play for other than putting a hefty boot into promotion hopes!  There may well be some significant twists and turns between now and April 18 but this game, against a free scoring Chadderton side is one that has been circled in the Rammy diary for some time.

Having scored 21 more goals than any other side in the division (having one player who has scored 45% of your 116 goals does help!) and with the highest win% of any team away from home this season, it makes this game even more mouth watering than it already was.

However, the Rams have got the best home win% in the division, winning 15 of our 20 games at the HWRS, losing only one and come into this game with plenty of confidence having defeated a tough WD&C outfit on Tuesday night.

Both sides have automatic promotion ambitions, so do Wythenshawe.  What an end of season this is going to be!

FACILITIES
The game at Ramsbottom United will be by payment in CASH at the turnstile (the club does not have a card facility).  Prices are as shown above and programmes are £2.

Due to adjacent building works, parking for spectators should be away from the ground, in either town centre car parks (drivers are advised to check any time limits) or in the various side streets, all of which are no more than 5-10 minutes walk away but please be mindful of local residents and businesses.

Please be aware that the access road to Ramsbottom Cricket Club and Ramsbottom United FC has now had a no parking policy imposed with immediate effect carrying a fine of £100. Please do not park on this road.

Various bus routes come into Ramsbottom town centre (https://bustimes.org/localities/ramsbottom for details) and the East Lancs Railway (https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/western-region-weekend/) station is adjacent to the ground.

Tea Bar serving hot and cold drinks, pie and peas, sweets, crisps etc will be open within the ground, as will the Can Bar serving beer, lager and cider.

HISTORY
We offer a very warm welcome to everyone who has come up from Chadderton for this game.

The two sides first met in September 1997 in the preliminary round of the FA Vase where the visitors came out on top 5-4 – what an introduction!  The Rams would do the double over the Oldham side in the league, winning 1-0 at Andrew Street and 5-3 at the Riverside in April 1998.  Due to ground grading, despite finishing 12th, Chadderton would be relegated that season.

We would not meet again in the league until our return to the NWCFL in 2023 where our visitors have held sway, winning three of the five meetings.  They would do the double in 2023/24 with a 3-2 win at the HWRS – Kuda Chingwaro’s double not enough to beat a nine-man Chadderton side and it finished 2-1 at Andrew Street as Chingwaro’s strike was sandwiched between two Connor J Hughes goals.

Last season was a level playing field with a 1-0 win at the HWRS, Richie Baker’s third minute goal separating the sides while Chadderton finished with 10 men after Matthew Crothers’ early sending off but it was a win for the home side in April 2025 as Harvey Hayhurst’s goal split two from Tyler Berry and James Purfield.

The return fixture on a chilly night in November was a breathless affair and anyone who was there won’t forget it in a hurry!  A sending off apiece – Chadderton’s player having only been on the field for three minutes – was just the start as, going into injury time, the Rams were 3-1 down.  Step forward Oscar Radcliffe in 90+2 and then Maine Walder on 90+11 to grab a share of the spoils.  More of the same?  Maybe with a little less drama!

STEVE WILKES SAYS:
“Another tough game but a game we’re looking forward to. As you can see the top of the table is getting very tight and Chadderton are well in the mix like ourselves.

“I thought we were excellent Tuesday night against a good West Didsbury side and we know we’ll be in for another tough afternoon today.”