MATCH: Kendal Town v Ramsbottom United
VENUE: Parkside Road, Kendal, LA9 7BL
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Division 1 West
DATE: Tuesday 24th August 2021
KICK-OFF: 7.45pm
DISTANCE FROM RAMMY: 65 miles, 70 minutes
ADMISSION:
You can pay on the gate – adults (18+) £9, concessions (65+) £6, ages 7-17 £3, Under 7s free of change accompanied by an adult.
OVERVIEW:
Well, we scored some goals but that first competitive win of the season remains illusive although there was much to be encouraged by in the mayhem that was the 5-4 defeat in the FA Cup on Saturday to Barnoldswick Town.
Whilst it is always disappointing to go out of such a prestigious competition and especially to lower league opposition, to see four goals hit the back of the net would have lifted spirits even if the defensive display certainly didn’t.
It left manager Lee Donafee very disappointed as he knew that a win was imperative on Saturday – but it didn’t come so we try again on the road as we head north up the M6 to Mintcake territory – Kendal Town.
The home side are in 14th place in the table and are only ahead of the Rams in 18th on goal difference as they also were held to a 0-0 draw on the first day of the season at home to Glossop North End before going down 3-2 at Bootle seven days ago.
Of course, the league table at this embryonic stage of the season means very little but a ‘1’ in the WINS column and a ‘4’ in the POINTS one certainly would not go a miss.
But it is never an easy challenge to head into the Lake District on a Tuesday night but Donafee’s men will head with a little bit of confidence after the four goal salvo but also with defensive frailties knocking around in their heads.
STAT OF THE PREVIEW:
The Rams and The Mintcakes have met on 10 occasions previously but the Rams have never failed to score, notching at least one goal in all ten. In fact, it makes for a very entertaining contest as both sides have scored in seven of the ten games played… put your money on a Rammy win and BTTS on your betting slip (but don’t blame us if it doesn’t come in)!!!
HISTORY:
You can read all about the history between the Rams and Kendal Town in our comprehensive “Have We Met” article, which is available here.
TEAM NEWS:
It has been a tough start for Lee Donafee and his coaching staff and while there were many positives to take from Saturday’s game, he was left gutted by the result.
“We just need a bit of a lucky break at the moment. We scored some fantastic goals on Saturday, some really well worked goals, but the defence was at fault for some of their very soft ones and that is something I have to take responsibility for. The decisions on who played in the game were on me.”
He has got some selection headaches ahead of tonight’s game at Kendal Town and admits, “I have got a squad of players but really not sure who is going to play.
“Two players who are likely to be back will be James Murphy, who was cup tied on Saturday and Jamie Rainford, who is willing to get strapped up to feature tonight. He is willing to put his body on the line for us and we really appreciate that.
“Khalil Osi-Efa and Regan Jarrett are both working so can’t get away in time to get to Kendal so they will be missing. Jamie Rother is still struggling so will probably miss the game.”
He knows that there is much to do and is just hopeful of getting a bit of an opportunity to show the loyal supporters what the team are capable of.
“We have been so unlucky this season – either players leaving, having holidays, Covid restrictions and much more and we haven’t been able to show what we can do properly.”
