SUPER RAMS CLOSE THE GAP

Players and supporters alike celebrate a huge win at the HWRS on Tuesday night.

The opening minutes of probing saw the visitors, in white, proving a real menace. A move down the left found surprising space and was only dealt with as Goalkeeper of the Month Brad Rose raced from his goal line for a timely block. 

The let off was short lived however as West remained up field. They fashioned a looping cross from the left and found striker Ben Elliot who headed into the net to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Buoyed by their breakthrough, West fashioned a series of further chances before Rams battled to get back into their game and the winning of several corners. 

Following one of them, Jacob Holland-Wilkinson got to the byline on the right before planting a low cross into the box – met and controlled by Maine Walder.  He took a touch before firing a hard low shot through a ruck of players and into the goal to give the Rams an equaliser and further crank the atmosphere from a noisy home crowd.

The first half was played out at a pleasing tempo in the air and for much of the time with referee Abdullah allowing the game to flow and leading, in turn, to plenty of incident.

It was some surprise as the game reached half time with the score level at one-one.  News however filtered in that title rivals Wythenshawe were ahead and a five-point gap reemerging.

As the game resumed, Rams were quick out of the blocks and a move down the left looked to have been broken down.  Tom Walker went down as the home side took a free kick around him which saw the visitors still finding their shape as the Rams advanced down the left. A low cross was watched by everybody except Holland-Wilkinson on the edge of the box who nudged the ball across the line and into the goal off the far post.

The home crowd was in fine spirits by now – and even better was to follow.

Minutes later Harvey Hayhurst received the ball on the left before embarking on a trademark jinking run and then cutting in and creating space. He fired a delightful bending shot which flew past Passant and nestled into the far corner of the net.

The crowd was in fine voice by now and though the Rams had squandered a number of two goal leads but street wisdom was in evidence as they kept things simple.

West brought on a series of substitutes to bring fresh energy and Steve Wilkes responded with the introduction of Luke Barlow who bolstered the impressive Macauley Wilson in central defence.

There was still a threat from West, not least a flashing effort and a powerful shot which just cleared the bar, but the Rams were able to repulse with sure handling by Rose calming players and fans alike.

Following six minutes of injury time the referee’s whistle resounded to a roar which may have been heard throughout the town.

Rams prevailed and news came in that Wythenshawe had drawn. Their lead, at the top which stood at twelve points a few weeks ago, has now been whittled down to only one point, albeit with a game in hand.

With eight games to play, Rams have hit a vein of form just at the right time and go again with rivals Chadderton in town on Saturday.

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

Not used: Cummings, McCann

GOALS: Maine Walder (16), Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (52), Harvey Hayhurst (55); Benjamin Elliot (8)

ATT: 243