Early goals seal rare win at Chadderton

Rowan Chambers doubles our lead in the 16th minute.

The Rams got back to winning ways as early first half goals from debutant Jack Donlan and Rowan Chambers brought us a 2-1 win away at Chadderton – our first success on their ground since a win by the same scoreline back in 1998.

The continuous shuffling of the Ramsbottom United squad finally paid off for manager Rob Henry at Chadderton, with more debutants having a say in the final score, as the Rams at last produced a win on the road at the seventh attempt.

They really could not have asked for a better start, for after just 16 minutes, they were two to the good, but an early goal for the home side in the second half had the visiting supporters’ hearts in mouths as the home side pushed for an equaliser, but the defence, criticised on a number of games so far, finally did the job of managing to repel whatever was thrown at them.

The game was just three minutes old when a perfectly flighted free-kick from the left by Matt Dudley found the head of newly-signed defender Jack Donlan, whose header bulged the back of the net to give the newcomer the ideal debut.

More was to follow as trickery from the excellent Terry Cummings took him to the by-line before squaring the ball for the on-rushing Rowan Chambers to gleefully slam home, doubling the Rams lead. By that time, Cummings, who covered every blade of grass, had watched on as his speculative drive from 25 yards crashed against the bar before rebounding back into play.

At that point, it looked like a comfortable awayday for the Rams, but credit to the home side as they did not fold, with former Ram Luke Barlow encouraging his new team-mates to keep battling, and that they did.

Chadderton probably had more of the play as the first half progressed, but the previously leaky Rams defence looked much more solid with the changes made, and despite their possession, the home side did not create a clear-cut effort on goal, as the half ended with the visitors in a healthy position.

That was to change, however, within three minutes of the restart. A free-kick from 25 yards out was hammered goalwards, and debutant keeper, George Kenyon, on loan from Leeds United, somehow misjudged the flight of the ball and spilled it into the net, halving the Rams advantage.

Urged on,the home side seemed to take control of the midfield, but, again, the Rams defence did well to repel the challenges, allowing chances to be created at the other end. Chambers shot from the edge of the penaly area was comfortably held by home keeper Oliver Culkin, who did even better on two further occasions.

Another piece of Cummings trickery set up Dan Forbes in the six yard box, but Culkin brilliantly managed to claw the ball away, but if that was a great save, the next time he was called in to action had the Rams supporters behind his goal wondering just how leading scorer Gareth Hill failed to knock the ball in from two yards. The answer, again, was Culkin whose piece of close range magic somehow stopped what looked all ends up like the Rams third.

That spurred the home side on, and had the Rams back-pedalling for much of the last 15 minutes, but stout defensive work kept the marauding home side at bay until the final minute when a curling angled effort looked goal-boud until Kenyon made amends for his earlier mistake with a fine diving save.

The whistle blew moments later, much to the relief of all in blue, as the players and management celebrated a hard-earned, but much-needed victory with the healthy away support.

Manager Rob Henry was a happy man at the end of the game. “A good performance and result showing real togetherness, spirit and quality at times”, he reflected.

“We started the game really well on the front foot, aggressive and playing with real courage. Deservedly two up at half-time with a really strong performance, with and without the ball.

“Throughout, we limited the opposition to very few opportunities, their goal coming through a goal-keeping error. Unfortunately we missed a couple of really good chances in the second half which would have made the game more comfortable, but I was happy to see the character and togetherness in the group to ensure we got over the line.

“Still lots we can improve on, but a good performance against strong opposition.”

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Kenyon, Radcliffe, Collinge, Sowerby, Wilson, Donlan (Cleary), Chambers, Forbes (Halford), Hill (Turner), Dudley, Cummings (Ayanyaki)   Not used: Lam

GOALS: Donlan (3), Chambers (16); McKnight (48)

ATT: 239