Play off woes again

A dejected Maine Walder at the final whistle.

Two seasons, 195 points but the Counties we remain as Lewis Byrne’s 88th minute goal proved the difference in Saturday afternoon’s play-off semi-final.

The Riverside pitch was in perfect condition for the team’s passing game and a healthy crowd looked forward to an entertaining match in optimistic mood given the Rams had taken four points off the opposition in their two league meetings.

Sadly though for the home team it didn’t work out that way.

There was surprise and delight as Scott Sephton’s name was read out before kick off. The powerful centre back making a timely return but, as the teams lined up, striker Jacob Holland-Wilkinson started out on the right.

As the match got underway it was the visitors, in red, who made the brighter start. Working hard, pressing the home side and seeking the free running Tawab Djankpata at every opportunity.

His duel with Louis Jeanne became one of the highlights of the afternoon as Rams immediately reverted to their plan B – a dire form of hoof ball. It ignores everything worked on at training with aimless punts attempting to relieve the pressure – but rarely works.

As the game unfolded, it was played out to a surprisingly muted atmosphere given the prize of a home final the following Saturday.

It was a poor spectacle and maybe it was frustration that led to a harsh tackle by Harvey Whyte for an unnecessary yellow card. More constructively, and the only real effort of note, came when Holland-Wilkinson cut in from his isolated berth and fired a speculative shot just wide of the post.

The Rams limped towards the break at nil-nil, with the only consolation being that the visitors offered just as little themselves.

The pattern continued to some effect in the second half with precious few chances. A long range effort from Whyte which didn’t trouble visiting keeper Oliver Culkin was one meagre offering before a series of substitutions ensued.

Little appeared to change though, although Daniel Forbes and Terry Cummings did at least try to get the ball down rather than it being lumped into the air with the ball bouncing around and forwards playing on the stretch.

The only good news was that, as in the first half, Chadderton weren’t particularly effective themselves.

That all changed though when they brought on the powerful Benito Lowe. Suddenly Chadderton looked more menacing and it was only a matter of time before the crucial moment arrived.

As the clock ticked down there was an increasingly ominous feeling about the outcome. A red through ball on their right saw Brad Rose rush out of his box but fail to get the ball. Chadderton’s striker rounded him and then planted the ball towards the empty goal.  As the visiting supporters prepared to celebrate it landed just wide of the post for a remarkable escape.

With five minutes remaining came a roll of the dice as Rhys Turner, perhaps with the dread prospect of penalties in mind, appeared.  It made little difference as Rams reprieve proved short-lived.

Lowe made a run from the halfway line, powering through a series of blue shirts.  He attacked the box where his cross was touched past Rose by Lewis-Simon Byrne, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling fans massed behind as the prolific striker was mobbed by teammates running in from all over the pitch.

The match ended a few minutes later as the visitors held an on-field celebration.  The Rams Ultras, muted, perhaps in response to their team’s no-show, seemed almost resigned to watching the spontaneous party unfold at the other end.

Their team clocked up an incredible 195 points over two wonderful seasons but ultimately counted for nothing as they went out with a whimper rather than a bang.

The defeat hurts and there will be time in the off season for calm heads to chart the way ahead with the club in the North West Counties for at least another year.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Jeanne (Thompson), Walder, S Sephton, Barlow, Whyte (Cummings), Holland-Wilkinson (Forbes), Walker, Dudley (Turner), L Sephton, Hayhurst   Not used: Stacey

GOALS: Lewis-Simon Byrne (89)

ATT: 714