LATE OSCAR HEADER SEND RAMS THROUGH

Goalscorer Oscar Radcliffe celebrates his late winner with Jacob Holland-Wilkinson. 

A pulsating afternoon of football took place at the Riverside Stadium in Ramsbottom on Saturday afternoon. Glorious autumnal sun and a lush green pitch gave perfect conditions for this Macron Cup derby between the Rams and Prestwich Heys.

The visitors, wearing red and black, started brightly, putting together several dangerous moves involving Mwarino Doro and impressive Takura Sambezi.

It was no surprise when they took the lead after 12 minutes, albeit in a semi-comedic manner. Returning central defender Scott Sephton had not played together with goalkeeper Brad Rose for nearly a year. As both left the ball for each other, Prestwich’s Louis Holt nipped in to place the ball over Rose and into an open goal for the easiest of finishes.

To their credit the Rams took the blow on the chin as they responded with a series of fluid passing moves.

Ten minutes later, they gained the equaliser. A move down the left, led to a low cross into the box. It appeared to have been blocked – but the ball spun clear and was prodded past White by the predatory Luke Sephton, who wheeled away in celebration.

Both teams continued to fashion attractive football flowing on the deck, but Ramsbottom retook the lead with arguably an even stranger goal. Maine Walder’s corners increasingly resemble works of art, and, after 28 minutes, a high delivery, coupled with a formidable swing and dip under the crossbar eluded attackers and defenders alike. The under-pressure keeper, Lee White, appeared to get a glove on it, but its spin and swerve took it through his hands and into the net he guarded.

Walder’s teammates ran across en-masse to celebrate with him as did the delighted ultras as the Rams were two-one to the good.

Prestwich remained undaunted and continued to create attacking moves. As half time approached, the pace and drive of Sambezi, who tormented the home side throughout, led to his advancing down the left to deliver a fine cross. It was met once more by the leaping Louis Holt, who directed it past Rose and into the Rams goal – and deservedly brought the visitors’ level.

Supporters of both sides were enjoying a free flowing, pulsating game of cup football. Goals conceded tend not to matter in this competition, with the only real result being who goes through at the end, and both teams in the running as play resumed.

The restart led to a series of fouls and flailing limbs resulting in a series of stoppages – breaking the rhythmic play which characterized the first half.

Rams kept pressing, but with Sambezi and Doro lively the counter they had to be alert at the back.

Eventually Scott Sephton made way to loud applause with homegrown Luke Barlow taking over. A few minutes later, much to the relief of the Rams supporters, the standout Sambezi who was giving Radcliffe and Teague something a torrid afternoon, also made way.

As the game entered the closing minutes and the dread prospect of penalties looming, Rams demonstrated the class they have in depth this season in Rick Whittingham and Finn Wallbank whose passing guile and calm heads helped relieve the pressure.

As is often the case with Ramsbottom there was to be a dramatic finale.

Harvey Whyte recovered from a knock to his face, and as the game entered injury time did well dig out a cross from a difficult situation on the left. Oscar Radcliffe charged into the box in support and produced a majestic leap and emphatic header which bulged the goal netting and sent the vociferous home fans into raptures.

It was hard on Prestwich who worked so valiantly to make the contest such an entertaining one as the home side defended the lead and played out the closing minutes. It was to some relief that the final whistle went for another in the series of three-two scorelines characterising Rams’ recent results

Both teams went to their respective supporters as the organic beauty of football was in evidence for all who turned out to watch.

The Rams progress to the next round of the Macron Cup and go again in the league at Barnoldswick on Tuesday.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Radcliffe, Hayhurst, Teague (Wallbank), S Sephton (Barlow), Walder, Baker, Walker (Whittingham), Holland-Wilkinson, Whyte, L Sephton (Dudley)  Not used: Stacey

GOALS: L Sephton (20), Walder (28), Radcliffe (90); Holt (12, 44)

ATT: 301