RAMS DOMINANT IN PILKS WIN

Maine Walder wheels away after heading in the Rams second goal.

NWC Premier • 17 Feb 2026

A verdant pitch under the floodlights, a sight to gladden the heart of all of those who love the game, as Ramsbottom United welcomed Pilkington to the Riverside stadium. The pitch was a testament to the hard work of the ground staff and volunteers – the heartbeat of clubs at this level.

The conditions encouraged the passing of football in evidence from the outset as the Rams took the game to their green- clad opponents.

The home side looked sharp and prompted by newcomer Leo Thompson, a series of  moves emerged from the left as they set about their task. The best chance came when Jacob Holland-Wilkinson appeared to have done everything right as he sprinted on to a through ball to deftly clip keeper Cambell. As both he and the ultras prepared to celebrate, it bounced high to hit the bar and then go out of play.

 The visitors survived but looked increasingly stretched and it must have been tough to chase shadows as they were pegged back into their own half.

The breakthrough came just after half hour another left wing move saw a cross swung into the box by Maine Walder.  It was met by the head of a Luke Sephton who used its pace to guide it back across the goal before it arched and nicked the inside of the post on its slow-motion journey into the net.

Further attacking intent from the Rams saw an exciting goalmouth scramble and a series of near misses as the home side turned on the style. The only surprise as the game reached half time was that it was just one nil and supporters hoping that there would be no sucker punch.

They needn’t have worried as the game resumed a corner from the left was swung in by Richie Baker and to a melee of players but reading it was Maine Walder who was not for the first time this season was in the right place to calmly head past Campbell and to give the Rams a deserved second goal.

Rams were into their metronomic rhythm, aided by a referee allowing the game to flow.  The only architects of any home jeopardy being themselves and a sloppy back pass allowed Palfrey to race clear, take the ball round Rose and surely score. Excellent reading of the danger by the athletic Finley Wallbank, who sprinted back to cut the angles and led to his blocking the shot and then calmly shepherded the ball to Rose and safety.

Rams kept moving forwards to fashion further chances but, arguably, the goal of the game came when another move down the left instigated by Walder found Leo Thompson in support. He whipped in a hard low cross met by Harvey Hayhurst who’s guided first-time shot nestled into the far corner of their net. Playing in a slightly more advanced role Hayhurst was full of running and a potent attacking force.

Pilkington must have sighed in collective despair when, off the bench, came Matt Dudley, another with over twenty goals this season as Sephton went off to sustained applause.

Late substitutions allowed all to enjoy the occasion as the game ended in a comfortable three-nil victory and Rams first back-to-back victories since November.

It was won with something of the early-season swagger and a delight to watch. The team, sitting in second on seventy-one points, remain in contention and their effective give and go style, so easy on the eye, combined with a welcome clean sheet, means they travel to Didsbury in the best of spirits.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Wallbank, Thompson, Walder (Wilson), Barlow, McCann (Dudley), Baker (Stacey), Whittingham (Walker), Sephton (Cross-Adair), Holland-Wilkinson, Hayhurst

 GOALS: Luke Sephton (29), Maine Walder (49), Harvey Hayhurst (78)

 ATT: 172