RAMS STUMBLE AGAIN AS PLAY OFFS LOOM
Rams pleas for a penalty are waved away after a tug on Macauley Wilson.
Ramsbottom United came from behind twice to secure a point from Saturday afternoon’s visit of Longridge Town.
Spring weather greeted Ramsbottom supporters as they welcomed Longridge Town to the Riverside stadium. Rams have seen leaders Wythenshawe pull away with manager Steve Wilkes describing the remaining fixtures as being the equivalent of cup finals.
Luke Barlow captained the side again as the match started in a lively manner.
On twelve minutes the visitors, in red, advanced down the left, found space and squared the ball into the centre. The move was smartly finished by Jack Anderton for his customary goal against the Rams, much to the delight of the visiting supporters.
The breakthrough energised Longridge as further chances were created, and the home side struggled to find any rhythm.
However, the Rams weathered the storm and regained their composure with some precise ground passing moves leading them to create pressure of their own as they moved up the pitch. Eventually a loose ball from the back allowed Harvey Hayhurst to sprint clear, poke the ball past keeper Kai Crowe, run round, and fire the ball home to bring the Rams level and spark celebrations from the crowd massed behind.
From then on, it was all Ramsbottom as they seized the initiative. There was amazement when Jacob Holland -Wilkinson fired in a fierce shot which beat Crowe but crashed back off the inside of the post and away from danger.
The Rams were dominating by now but couldn’t find another goal as half time arrived with the sides level and shirt-sleeved fans swapping ends.
As the match resumed, the home side created something of a siege with several clear chances being created and a series of in-swinging corners from Maine Walder and Harvey Whyte creating near panic in the visiting defence.
There were strident and prolonged calls for a penalty that was waved away and in another of the relentless attacks, the Rams appeared to have made the breakthrough as a shot was hacked away from seemingly behind the line, but the referee was unmoved and on checking with his assistant ignored the pleas. Although few fans seek assistive technology – but it would be interesting to know whether the whole of the ball crossed the line.
A further gilt-edge chance came from Holland- Wilkinson, who rifled a fierce drive just wide of Crowe’s left-hand post which hammered against the perimeter wall, creating a dramatic sound effect, as fans prepared to celebrate.
To rub salt into the wound, and with just a quarter of an hour remaining, the visitors fashioned a rare breakaway, and the ball found Leighton Hewitt in support. He produced a crisp low shot which flew past Rams keeper Brad Rose’s right hand to restore the visitor’s advantage, much against the run of play.
Longridge battled for everything as Rams roused themselves once more in a pulsating final minutes, almost akin to the Alamo!
Steve Wilkes turned to the bench and Terry Cummings looked particularly impressive as he brought guile and energy to the right and must surely merit a start on Saturday.
Deep into injury time Cummings worked his way into the area before his clever footwork created space for the delivery of a low cross. It was duly prodded over the line by Luke Sephton and an eruption of joy and relief behind the goals as the Rams had saved themselves from a second consecutive defeat.
Try as they might, the Rams were unable to find that deserved third goal in the closing moments as the enthralling and pulsating encounter finished two all. Rivals Wythenshawe won however and the title surely heads to South Manchester, leaving the Rams looking at the end-of-season lottery that is the play-offs.
Full credit to Steve Wilkes and his team for producing a side which has been averaging over two points a game in consecutive seasons in an effort to escape a notoriously difficult league.
Preparation for the play offs can now begin, or could there still be one last twist in the tail as this entertaining season heads into the final three league games?
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Braganca (Cummings), Thompson (Wilson), Walder, Barlow, Whyte, Holland-Wilkinson, Walker (Stacey), Dudley, Forbes (Sephton), Hayhurst Not used: Cross-Adair
GOALS: Harvey Hayhurst (17), Luke Sephton (90+3); Jack Anderton (7), Leighton Hewitt (77)
ATT: 358
