Rams pegged back in season opener
Gareth Hill heads the Rams in front only for the home side to pull level just before half time.
Gareth Hill’s 17th minute header was cancelled out on the stroke of half time as the curtain raised on another North West Counties Premier Division season at Litherland on Saturday afternoon.
A first game of a new season away at a Litherland REMYCA team regrouping following their late reprieve from relegation, was always going to be a challenge, but add in a dreadful bone-hard pitch, the colour of hay, and the prospect of an entertaining dual was never going to be on the cards.
So it proved, as both teams struggled for any fluency, and it was impossible for the Rams’ neat inter-passing game to impose itself.
However, in the 16th minute the visitors took the lead when a left-wing corner was only partially cleared by the home defence, and as the ball was lifted back into the penalty area, newcomer Gareth Hill rose highest to nod the ball into the back of the net.
That lead was almost doubled after 38 minutes when new signing Christian Mukoko looked on in despair as his excellent flick over the REMYCA goalkeeper sailed inches wide of the far post.
At the other end, yet another debutant, Rams keeper Reece Trueman was on hand to palm away a couple of good attempts from the home side, but he was finally beaten on 43 minutes when the homesters levelled in similar fashion to the Rams opener. This time it was a corner from the right that had the Rams defence struggling to clear, and as the ball came back in from the same direction, Dylan Westerside was able to steer his header home, to see both sides enter the half-time break on equal terms.
Whereas the first half had been an even contest, the visitors took the game to the home side in the second forty-five, but failed to create the chances that their possession deserved.
Indeed, goalmouth action was minimal, although both sides had half-hearted appeals for a penalty that never looked likely to sway the referee.
It took added on minutes for the nearest either side came to securing all three points, with a Rams close-range header well saved by Klearchos Filandras in the home goal, whilst moments later, a rasping drive narrowly flew wide of the Rams goal.
Possession-wise, the Rams were on top, but with opportunities at a premium, and a game lacking in any real quality, a draw was probably a fair reflection of a disappointing opening fixture of the new season.
Manager Rob Henry summed up the afternoon. “Litherland away is always a challenging game and today was no different.
“They always make it a battle with their direct style, against which we needed to be brave, resilient and strong, which we were for large parts.
“The pitch was extremely poor and both teams struggled to get the ball down and play, resulting in the game having a poor quality, limiting control and chances.
“A frustrating day not allowing us to be able to impose ourselves on the game with our football and ask more questions of the opposition. However, the group showed their togetherness and spirit and battled hard ensuring we took something from the game in really difficult conditions.
“We take a point and move on to a tough game against Trafford on Tuesday.”
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Trueman, Radcliffe, Coulton, Collinge (Chambers 85), Wilson, Winstanley, Forbes (McCann 77), Sowerby, Hill (Beca 71), Dudley, Mukoko Not used: Ogunby, Beck
GOALS: Hill (17); Westerside (44)
ATT: 127
