Stripes hit back after Hill double
Gareth Hill slams home the opener in the 14th minute from an Owen Collinge cross.
As the Rams score two in the first half, so would our opponents, FC St Helens, in the second as both sides settle for a 2-2 draw at the HWRS on Saturday afternoon.
It all started so well for Ramsbottom, with Gareth Hill scoring his 13th goal of the season, from a lovely, timed ball from Owen Collinge, who crossed towards the striker and with no mistake, fired the ball straight into the net past FC St Helens goalkeeper Joseph Bickerstaffe.
Then it got even better for the Rams four minutes later with full-back Oscar Radcliffe crossing the ball directly to Gareth Hill for his second goal of the day, this time scoring from a diving header, putting the home side 2-0 ahead.
However, as the game went on, including a hamstring injury picked up by striker Terry Cummings, FC St Helens started to pile the pressure on George Kenyon in the Ramsbottom goal with Paddy Kay and Nathan Corness both missing big chances for the visitors to get back into the game.
The visitors continued to push after the break and eventually found their way to get back into the match, with substitute Thomas McNamara scoring from a half volley that flew past goalkeeper Kenyon, making his 2nd ever start for the Rams.
The game then turned into an end-to-end battle, with chances from both sides, until a penalty was awarded by referee Lee Corns, when Jack Sowerby fouled Joseph Barker inside the box. Daniel Lowey converted for The Stripes in the 76th minute to make the score 2-2.
A few cards were shown during the final stages, alongside a headed chance by FC St Helens player Ethan Jones, but overall, the Rams will feel disappointed to have let a two-goal lead slip.
Ramsbottom United now turn their attention to Round 1 in the FA Vase, where they travel down to Dronfield to face the Oldest Football Club in the World, Sheffield FC, on Saturday October 10th, 3pm kick-off.
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Kenyon, Radcliffe, Collinge, Sowerby (Sixsmith), Wilson, Donlan, Chambers, Forbes (McCann), Hill (Cleary), Lam (Halford), Cummings (Dudley)
GOALS: Gareth Hill (14, 17); Thomas McNamara (62), Daniel Lowey (76 pen)
ATT: 321
