PREVIEW – WYTHENSHAWE TOWN

Welcome to 2024 … hopefully! Not just in terms of results but also a let up in the weather which is currently battering the majority of the United Kingdom as we attempt to get our show back on the road after a desperately disappointing end to 2023.

MATCH: Ramsbottom United vs Wythenshawe Town
VENUE: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Ramsbottom, BL0 0BS
COMPETITION: North West Counties Premier Division
DATE: Wednesday 3rd January 2024
KICK-OFF: 7:45pm
ADMISSION: Adults – £9, Concessions – £5, U12 – £1 (with paying adult)

OVERVIEW:
All the festive food has been eaten (or thrown out!). So its time to get back in shape. And that goes for Ramsbottom United as well.

Having been rather generous on the portions provided to the opposition over the festive games, it is time for the Rams to get back on the treadmill, get on the weights and start to powerlift their way back up the NWCFL league table from their current position of 15th.

There is still a long way to go in this season as we have just passed the half-way mark but it was certainly hoped that Steve Wilkes’ side wouldn’t be this far away from reaching their April target so it’s time to put in the hard yards and stretch their muscles.

However, standing in their way are one of the sides already at the front of the queue to get on the bigger machines in Wythenshawe Town, currently just a single point behind the league leaders Bury and making some serious strides of their own with some big signings and some very impressive results to boot.

This game, which was postponed by a waterlogged pitch back on 21 November in the middle of our marathon home match run, might go the same way if the forecast is anything to go by and, as we write this preview, the region is taking a lashing and the Met Office “Yellow warning” for rain running throughout the day [Tuesday].

We will keep everyone posted of news from the ground as there will be a pitch inspection on Wednesday but if play does happen, it is a chance for the Rams to stamp their authority on home territory against a side who have only won five of their 13 games on their travels although one of those came on Boxing Day when they thrashed their local and promotion rivals Wythenshawe 4-1 with four second half goals.

So, weather permitting, it will be another stern home game test against a side with plenty of ambition. Come on, rain, play ball!

HISTORY:
For the first time since April 1995, Ramsbottom United and Wythenshawe Town meet in league competition. Those games were back in the Manchester League Premier Division days. Rammy were about to leave and join the NWCFL despite finishing ten points behind Town after going down 1-0 at the Riverside and taking a 1-1 draw from the away game two weeks later. 10,433 days later (hopefully!), we clash once again.

STEVE WILKES’ THOUGHTS:
“A really tough fixture to have to start 2024. Wythenshawe Town have made some big signings recently to add to the squad they already have.

“We’re under no illusions of how hard a fixture this will be. Wythenshawe have had three great results over the Christmas period compared to our two poor performances.

“Let’s hope we can start the year off on the right foot and with a good performance.”