Win at West as Rams seal second

Jacob Holland-Wilkinson made it 32 for the season with his headed double.

WEST DIDSBURY 1

The Rams sealed runners-up spot in the Premier Division and, with that, home advantage in the play-offs as Jacob Holland-Wilkinson’s headed brace and a neat finish from Luke Sephton earned a 3-1 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Wednesday evening.

Ramsbottom United travelled to face a West Didsbury and Chorlton side which has battled its way to the Macron cup final, following their lengthy run in the Vase. Their playoff hopes stuttered however as they chased silverware through the cup competitions. A tough challenge still faced the Rams, however.

Playing in familiar blue Ramsbottom started brightly with the ball flashing across the home side’s  penalty area and not being effectively cleared. The hosts appeared edgy and hurried as the visitors created a series of chances.  Eventually Didsbury, in white and black, gained a foothold as the match opened out.

Maine Walder was outstanding on the night and, as the half hour approached, he picked off a West ball across the back.  He played a weighted pass down the left channel for Harvey Hayhurst to chase. Hayhurst raced into space before planting a deep cross into the box. There was plenty to do but it was read by Jacob Holland-Wilkinson who leapt high – and then appeared to hang in the air – before flexing his neck muscles and directing it back across West’s keeper Ollie Martin.  It bulged the netting directly in front of the travelling fans to give the Rams a precious lead which was celebrated with gusto.

The Rams continued to play constructive football, but there was concern when Macaulay Wilson, so influential of late, took a blow to the chest and limped on for a few minutes before Louis Jeanne was forced to replace him.

Half time came with the Rams a goal to the good but with West responding at the restart in bringing on the imposing Kevin de Santos. The home side started the second half brightly and after 51 minutes won a corner on their left. De Santos rose highest against ineffective marking to head past Rose and into the corner.

The equaliser ignited the home team and their hitherto muted fans. They produced a series of incisive raids which kept the visitors on the backfoot and stretched and at times lumping the ball away to safety.

Gradually the Rams regrouped and weathered the storm.  Their class returned and they responded with a passing move to win a corner on the right which was swung in by Walder and, as usual, caused consternation.  Luke Barlow headed it back across the goal to be read by Holland-Wilkinson who calmly nodded it past Martin to restore The Rams’ advantage.

Manager Steve Wilkes turned to the bench and brought on substitutes including midfielder Dan Forbes. With around ten minutes remaining Forbes powered down the left and then won back possession before advancing into the box and putting it into the path of Luke Sephton. Sephton controlled it before swiveling and crashing a powerful shot which flew past Martin and in. Sephton wheeled away in celebration for what was surely the winner.

At 3-1, Wilkes was able to ring the changes as the home side lost conviction.  All five substitutes appeared from a strong bench including another cameo from Terry Cummings as the ultras responded and urged their team over the line.

Referee James Brierley, who had allowed moves to develop and the game to flow, finally blew his whistle and the Rams moved across as a group to thank their supporters for encouragement, not just on the night but week in and week out over the course of the season.  The win takes Ramsbottom to 97 points, equaling last year’s record-breaking achievement, and an unassailable second position in the table – and with one game left.

Importantly the victory  means that Saturday’s game at Atherton LR – a nerve-shredding prospect, melts away in significance and instead offers Steve Wilkes a chance to rest players before the home playoff match the following week.

The fans headed home from South Manchester happy after being witness to an eye-catching performance demonstrating the classy outfit, they are. They need fear nothing in the coming weeks.

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

GOALS: Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (29,68), Luke Sephton (80); Kevin Dos Santos (51)

ATT: 242