PLAY OFF SEMI HOME TIE SECURED
Six goals in six games for free-scoring Harvey Hayhurst as he adds a second on Saturday.
SOUTH LIVERPOOL 0
Two quick-fire first half strikes from Luke Barlow and Harvey Hayhurst, the latter’s sixth goal in the last six games, secured the three points against South Liverpool and in doing so, guaranteed our place in the end of season play-offs and a home semi-final.
An end of season encounter at the Riverside, but plenty to play for. Although the title has effectively gone for Ramsbottom, there is jockeying for position around the playoffs, which will extend the season in the coming weeks.
Visitors, South Liverpool, are a famous club and dipped into their history, running out in a splendid kit comprising amber, maroon and gold and complete with liver bird. Based on George Vl’s racing colours it was worn during their Welsh cup win in the late 1930s.
For the Rams, in staider blue, Victor Dielenvuidi had impressed in training and made his debut at right back. He saw plenty of the ball in the opening stages as Rams started brightly.
On fifteen minutes came the breakthrough. Dielenvuidi moved down the right and linked up with player of the month Jacob Holland-Wilkinson who did well to put a low cross into the box. It was met by Luke Barlow, who confidently knocked it home. Barlow has developed a taste for goal this season and his latest was met with delight by teammates and home supporters gathered behind.
Just two minutes later came further excitement as Harvey Hayhurst found space on the left-hand side of the box and fired in a shot which beat Lucas Allen in the visitors’ goal for a quick fire two in two minutes.
Rams were into their total footballing stride and created further problems throughout the first half. It developed into something of an exhibition with the visitors penned back for lengthy periods with Rams probing and moving the ball across the front line as they pulled South out of shape.
The only surprise came as half time was reached with it only two nil to the good as fans moved round to be close to goalmouth action.
Harvey Hayhurst’s performances this season have excited and delighted Rams supporter. Socks rolled down, and full of guile and running, he plays at wing back and, more recently, further up the field. Minutes into the second half he received the ball on the left before jinking and then accelerating into the box at full speed – before being felled in dramatic fashion.
A penalty was instantly awarded by referee Hughes, and Harvey Whyte strode forwards to confidently smash the ball past Allen. Unfortunately, it cannoned back of the underside of the cross bar with play continuing as if it never happened.
The game entered a scrappy phrase with sometimes lengthy stoppages. Instead, the crowd was entertained from an unlikely source as a procession of impressive steam engines traversed the embankment behind the goal, joining in with the drums and anthems generated by the ultras below with tuneful whistles and hoots of encouragement. With steam billowing out over and around the stand it created an atmosphere which packaged football spends millions trying to replicate.
The home side continued their mesmerising passing and pinned South Liverpool back deep into their own half. The closing minutes allowed Steve Wilkes to give game time to those involved in the playoffs with another eye-catching cameo from Terry Cummings. He popped up everywhere and was unlucky not to have won a penalty as he went down when racing through on goal.
Such was the Rams dominance that home keeper Brad Rose did not have a single genuine save to make in the whole 90 minutes.
As the whistle sounded, the crowd showed their appreciation for the team’s efforts. Rams cement a play-off spot, reaching ninety-four points, and they went across to their supporters to share the moment.
There are still two away games remaining as final positions are determined- and beyond that the play offs as this mammoth and rollercoaster season reaches its climax.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Dielunvuidi (Stacey), Walder (Thompson), Barlow, Wilson, Whyte, Holland-Wilkinson (Cross-Adair), Walker, Dudley, Sephton (Cummings), Hayhurst (Forbes)
GOALS: Luke Barlow (16), Harvey Hayhurst (18)
ATT: 230
