Luckless Rams let lead slip again
Lots to ponder for the Rams management of Richard Thomas and Rob Henry.
Two late goals for the home side turned this game on it’s head after the Rams led for much of the encounter courtesy of a 26th minute own goal from debutant Adam Dimba’s low cross.
Ramsbottom United’s stuttering start to the campaign continued at a sun-drenched Crilly Park, as what had looked like a comfortable three points disintegrated in the final minutes to leave players, management and supporters shaking their heads in disbelief.
For 85 minutes, the visitors looked to have kept the home side at bay, with the cushion of a first half goal looking to have secured all three points. However, a late blitz from Atherton saw those points taken away thanks to a fine strike and a disputed penalty.
With a number of players unavailable through injury and absence, new signing Adam Ayanyaki was thrown into the starting eleven, and he did enough to suggest that he could be a useful addition going forward. Indeed he created the Rams goal as he jinked his way to the by-line before hammering in a low cross that was spectacularly slammed into his own net by Atherton’s Jack Taylor.
Minutes before, playing down the slope the home side‘s Tom Romano came close to opening the scoring when he rounded three Rams defenders before shooting narrowly wide of Reece Trueman’s post.
At that point the visitors could have already been in front, as a superb cross from Oscar Radcliffe found the head of leading scorer Gareth Hill, but his effort sailed over the bar, as did an identical chance just before the half-time whistle.
After the break, the old adage that playing downhill is not always favourite, came into play, as Atherton had more of the ball, and played some attractive football, but the Rams seemed capable enough in dealing with any pressure, keeping clear-cut chances to a minimum. The closest LR came was when Edward Jones fired over the top moments before Rowan Chambers came close at the other end to extending the Rams lead.
Hill had a third opportunity to double the tally with another header from a corner, but once again the ball sailed over the bar, leaving the Rams holding on to their slender lead.
The missed chances came back to haunt them with the clock ticking down.
On 85 minutes, Cal Hunter found room at the edge of the penalty area before slamming home a low drive which flew inside Trueman’s right hand post, giving Atherton parity, which was hard to argue with, as they had taken the game to the visitors for much of the second half.
However with a possible deserved point apiece, with two minutes of added-on time played, a shout for hand ball saw the referee point to the spot, and Hunter confidently smashed home the resultant penalty, leaving a Ramsbottom team, so close to a welcome three points, facing a trip back with nothing to show for a decent afternoon’s work.
Manager Rob Henry was naturally disappointed.
“To lose from the position we were in was an absolute sickener for the group”, he reflected.
“First half we were positive on the front foot and progressive with our football. Throughout we limited the opposition to very few opportunities and defended well.
“In the second half, we need to be braver with the ball, which allows us to manage the game better, whilst being more clinical with the openings we get.
“It appeared the Atherton player controlled the ball with his hand in the lead up to the penalty which is so frustrating.
“We will bounce back, we will show our character and produce a winning performance next week.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Trueman, Radcliffe, Cox (Ogunby), Beck, Wilson, Collinge, McCann, Chambers, Hill, Dudley, Ayanaki (Forbes) Not used: MacBride, Lam. Beamon
GOALS: Jack Taylor (o.g.) (26); Cal Hunter (82,92)
ATT: 272
