RAMS HIT FIVE IN FIRST HALF BLITZ

Another goal from numerous threatening corners as the Rams turn the screw at Pilkington.

Playing in familiar blue, the Rams started as though their lives depending on it with a series of early chances flashing wide of home keeper’s Jamie Owen post and leaving the home side, in all green, struggling for a foothold.

With eight minutes on the clock, the ball reached Harvey Hayhurst in the box. He took a touch to compose himself and then produced a calm finish across keeper Owen, and into the net via the inside the far post to give the visitors a deserved lead.

With Harvey Whyte replacing injured skipper, Richie Baker, the Rams continued to surge forward and win a series of corners. Although Owens was to prove excellent, he did struggle in the swirling conditions to deal with them as Whyte took full advantage.

On twenty-eight minutes, he swung one in which eluded everybody before finding the back of the net. Maine Walder and Baker have scored direct from corners this season, but Macaulay Wilson may have touched the ball as he took the plaudits and, more importantly, the Rams held a healthy two goal advantage.

Even better was to follow a couple of minutes later. It was Deja vu as Whyte once more produced a wicked inswinger which Owens struggled to reach as the ball ended up in the back of the net with the final touch coming off a home defender.

The Rams were into their total footballing groove, creating some lovely passing moves based around intricate triangles involving Walder, Dudley and Hayhurst and stretching a Pilkington team unable to break out of their own half.

On forty minutes Matt Dudley received the ball and placed a beautiful, weighted pass into the path of Jacob Holland- Wilkinson.

The Rams’ fans just knew what would happen next as, in a dramatic move, he charged forwards at full speed, took a step to compose himself and then produced a crisp low shot which flew past Owen to bring up a wonderful fourth goal. It also brought applause from the shell-shocked home supporters gathered close to the press area.

Rams’ fans were in Dreamland by now and even more was to follow. Two minutes later a fifth was headed in by Luke Barlow. Hayhurst recycled a Whyte shot which crashed against the inside of the post and Barlow stayed up in support to gratefully dispatch the chance as the half-time whistle approached.

So, five nil up at the break and the team carrying out Steve Wilkes’ instructions to the letter.

Following the restart Pilkington, who stuck by their passing principles despite the mauling, ventured out of their own half, creating a couple of half chances of their own.

Rams still posed a threat with Matt Dudley perhaps the unluckiest producing a powerful drive which crashed against the inside of the post, as well as a couple of headers, one of which drew a world-class save from Owen to keep the visitors at bay.

Fellow striker Luke Sephton, as hard working as ever, saw a couple of fierce strikes charged down by the defence – when a goal looked imminent.

Eventually a series of substitutions were made to bring fresh legs to both sides as both teams played out an enjoyable final quarter. Referee Andrews allowed the game to flow; a welcome feature of northwest counties matches this season and a world away from the stop-start packaged variety.

The only disappointment was the failure to add to the tally in the second half, but that was certainly not down to a lack of effort. The Rams pleasing passing style set up a number of opportunities, but credit to the Pilkington defence for their efforts in ensuring the ball refused to bulge the net as it had done in the first half.

In the end, it was a well-achieved five nil win away from home, a clean sheet, and a healthy addition to the goal difference metrics as the Rams reach a remarkable ninety points. The result keeps the pressure on leaders Wythenshawe and with just five games remaining the season reaches the most exciting of climaxes.

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

GOALS: Harvey Hayhurst (9), Harvey Whyte (28), Macauley Wilson (30), Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (40), Luke Barlow (42)

ATT: 85