05 Ramsbottom United v Stocksbridge Park Steels

rammy news V STOCKSBRIDGE 17.09.13

EDITORIAL - RICHARD ISAACS Good evening and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this FA Cup (sponsored by Budweiser)first qualifying round replay and we offer a warm welcome for the very first time to our visitors today from Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C. We hope that you enjoy your time with us and have a safe journey back across ‘them there hills’ later.

After a cracking match on Saturday, we go once again tonight to find a winner. It was a belting game a couple of days ago and Phil Dean’s late equaliser from the penalty spot sees the two sides battle it out once again for the right to enter ‘the hat’ for the next round.

Things are certainly beginning to look up here at the HWRS with us finally getting our first win under our belts at Ossett and then producing an excellent draw against higher league opposition. It has taken a little while for everything to click but you know that they would eventually get it together and, for those of you who attended the Manager’s Forum last Wednesday will know that the lads have felt it as much as anyone but they are very determined to put things right … and the last couple of results have started to show signs of that.

It is great to welcome SPS here tonight. They have been regulars in the Premier Division of the Evo-Stik for a number of years and were right up in the promotion shake-up just a season or so ago but they are not having the best of years this time around (tell us about it !!!!!) and will want to have a good run in the FA Cup to boost their own agenda. It will certainly make for a great game tonight, that is for sure and if Saturday’s contest is anything to go by, then it will be!

This is the first programme where we have been able to welcome our brand new Club Sponsors, Liberty SIPP, who have joined us for three years. We thank them very much indeed for their valued support and look forward to helping them as much as they are helping us in our aims to improve and move up the leagues. Welcome to them and thank you.

Unfortunately, I won’t be at the game today as I am back home in Southampton at the moment just finishing off the cricket season. As always though, I will be … as seen on North West Tonight … be shouting …… C’MON RAMMY!!!!!!!!!!

Richard

President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: G Shuttleworth Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: C Woolfall, A Edmundson, G Lay, D Wolfenden, K Topping Life Members: FA Rothwell, L Read, A Whalley, F Rothwell, J Wolfenden, P McSherry, A Mcleod Programme Editors: R Isaacs, P Newhouse, R Moss Hospitality Manager: I McCool Catering Manager: S Fletcher Team Managers: A Johnson, B Morley First XI Coaches: J Hunter, G Moses, D Green Physio: K Richardson Recent Honours: NWCFL Champions 2011/12 Premier Runners Up 2010/11 2nd Div Champions 96/97 2nd Div Trophy 95/96 Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 2005/06. 2006/07, 2007/08 The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire Tel: 01706 822799 www.rammyunited.co.uk

I'm happy we drew on Saturday, not just because we are in the hat for the next round and have a second crack of the whip but it means we now have a game mid-week. We are on a bit of a run at the minute after losing the first four games of the season we now find ourselves four unbeaten and the lads just want to keep playing games.

The general consensus amongst me, Bernard and the staff was that it was an excellent performance against Stocksbridge and although we equalised in the last minute we felt we were by far the better footballing team and in the end our persistence got us the reward we deserved.

It was also great to have Gary Stopforth back in the starting eleven, he is a quality player for us and for me on Saturday was the stand out player on the pitch. Also Owen Roberts has recovered from the calf injury he sustained against Northwich which also caused him to miss the Ossett Albion game. Tom Brooks was also back in the squad after his holiday. It was great to see Flanners back on the pitch albeit for 25 minutes, he has had a torrid time over the last 18 months and hopefully he will now be over them and can continue with his career.

We are under no illusions as to the task ahead tonight. SPS are a very good team from a higher level of football but the lads honestly believe we can progress into the next round. Please get behind the lads and help roar us into the next round.

Jonno

happy with a draw

anthony johnson

In front of the BBC television cameras, Ramsbottom United finally gained their first league point of the season at the fifth time of asking.

With the BBC featuring “Non-League Day”, and the Rams being singled out for reporting purposes, both sides put on an entertaining first half, but the second 45 minutes petered out to leave the two sides just about deserving of a point each.

It was the visitors who started the brighter.

With Andy Dawson scooping the ball off the line after Alex Taylor had rounded home keeper Grant Shenton, and visiting full-back Chris Smalley seeing his header hit the bar, it was no surprise when the home side went a goal down early on.

Just twelve minutes had elapsed when the ball broke for Keiran Lugsden, and his shot from ten yards out saw the home defence scrambling to hack it away, but the referee’s assistant indicated that the ball had already crossed the line to give the Vics the lead.

Two minutes later, the home side were almost level when Dawson saw his header rebound off the Vics’ bar.

Danny Wisdom should have done better at the other end, but Shenton saved easily before the home side finally exerted some pressure.

On 18 minutes, Grant Spencer hammered in a terrific drive from all of 30 yards, which beat Tim Deasy in the Northwich goal. Unfortunately for the Rams, the ball hammered against the bar, and Lee Gaskell was unable to turn the rebound in whilst under pressure.

Dominc Smalley then saw his goal-bound shot blocked for a corner, before the home side’s superiority finally paid off.

A free-kick was awarded in a central position 25 yards out, and Owen Roberts perfectly glided the low drive through the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Jordan Hulme saw his close range effort blocked and as it sailed skywards, Dawson again got his head to the ball only to see the bar incredibly deny the home side for the third time.

A perfectly flighted through ball saw Gaskell beat the defenders, but he swept too far to the left and was unable to find the target.

The Rams did take the lead on 37 minutes.

Gaskell raced down the right wing before sending over a low cross which Hulme helped on to Phil Dean, and the wingman swept it home at the far post.

With the exception of a Lugsden angled drive which sailed past the far post, the home side had enjoyed the better of the first half, and almost nudged further ahead in time added on.

A perfect low cross behind the defence saw both Gaskell and Dean slide in but neither could find the all-important touch from close range.

The second half, by comparison, was disappointing.

Once Alex Taylor levelled the scores on 52 minutes with a free-kick that he lofted over the wall and into the top left-hand corner, the game began to deteriorate.

Both sides appeared to cancel each other out, and with most of the play taking place between the penalty areas, chances were at a premium.

The best efforts of the second period fell to Hulme for the home side when he raced into the area from the right, but fired over, whilst at the other end, the home goal had a narrow escape when a perfect low cross was agonisingly close to both Lugsden and Alex Rees, but neither could provide the final touch.

Strong shouts for a penalty when Lee Gaskell’s shot appeared to be blocked by a raised hand, fell on deaf ears. The referee had already felt the wrath of the home crowd on a number of occasions, not least when Dominic Smalley was twice felled in the first half only to see the culprits escape with a lenient yellow card, and this refusal to point to the spot did little to change the Rams supporters’ feelings towards him.

In truth, despite looking the better side for much of the first half, the Rams could have little to complain about, result-wise, but at least it puts the first point on the board.

an equal match

northwich

2-2

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 7th September 2013 Att: 212 Rammy Goals: Roberts (21), Dean (36) Northwich Goals: Lugsden (12), Taylor (52)

A penalty scored with virtually the last kick of the game, prevented what would have been a travesty of a score-line.

In a game totally dominated by the Rams, they entered the third and final minute of time added on wondering just how they were losing a game they had totally controlled.

One final foray into the Stocksbridge area saw Gary Stopforth go down, followed by the referee pointing to the spot and issuing a red card to Matthew Telling for apparently going in with his studs showing.

Phil Dean, who had unusually missed a penalty at Ossett Albion the previous Tuesday, strode forward and confidently beat Jack Ward in the home goal from twelve yards to ensure a replay, which was the least the visitors deserved from this performance.

Ramsbottom had started brightly with Grant Spencer firing inches over from 20 yards in the first minute.

After Will Senior had headed wide at the other end, the Rams took the lead on 11 minutes.

Joel Pilkington swept an angled pass into the area, and Dominic Smalley gathered the ball, before turning his man and firing home a curling leftfooted shot from 15 yards.

Danny South was off target with a header as the home side searched for an equaliser, before being gifted one in the 22nd minute.

Jon Robinson and Steels’ South both went for a ball in the area, and South went down after what could only be described as an innocuous attempt to get the ball, but the referee pointed to the spot, and Nathan Joynes duly converted the penalty.

Two minutes later, Steels were inches away from taking the lead when a thunderous drive by Telling rattled the crossbar with Grant Shenton well beaten.

Senior then raced into the Rams box but screwed the ball wide, as an evenly-matched game reached the thirty minute mark. From then on, however, there was only one team in it.

Stiopforth had an attempt blocked, Jordan Hulme created space on the right but his low cross was scrambled away, then Hulme again broke through, but instead of shooting, looked to feed his forward partner Lee Gaskell and the chance was gone.

Another Hulme cross was nicked off Gaskell’s toes for a corner, before yet another corner found Andy Dawson, but his header clipped the top of the bar.

The visitors ended the first half in the ascendancy, but in the second half, it was virtual one-way traffic.

Gaskell and Hulme again linked up, but as Hulme took the ball wide, he could only hit the foot of the post as he tried to screw the ball back.

Hulme then fed Gaskell with a low cross from the right, but with an open goal at his mercy, the latter could not direct the ball home.

Gaskell was then fed by Dean with an inch perfect cross. Last season’s leading scorer powered in a header only to see it somehow clawed away when a goal looked certain.

Substitute Owen Roberts had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes when his fierce drive stung the hands of Ward. Dean had his mazy run stopped by Brett Bowden-Lovell who received a yellow card for his trouble, and Roberts resulting free-kick was diverted for a corner.

Grant Spencer then sent over a perfect long cross which found Dean, but he misjudged his kick and it sailed harmlessly away.

Somehow the home defence had managed to keep out the marauding Rams when, as so often happens, the dominant side was struck a killer blow.

Dawson and Ian Flannery failed to deal with a rare ball at the back, and it was swept out to the left hand side of the Steels attack. There it was met with perfect timing by Chris White who volleyed in a tremendous effort from the corner of the area, which flew past the under-worked Shenton and into the car corner.

Despite this set-back, the Rams continued to take the game to their hosts. Hulme was denied by the legs of Ward, whilst Dawson headed just wide from another in a series of corners, as the home side struggled to maintain a lead they had not deserved.

Just when it looked like they had managed it came the last minute drama.

The draw was the least the visitors deserved against opponents from a higher division, and so the tie continues at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night with a 7.45pm kick-off.

2-2

Look Local Stadium 14th September 2013 Att: 129 Rammy Goals: Smalley (11), Dean (90) Stocksbridge Goals: Joynes (23), White (75)

last action heroics

TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Well we leave behind the rigours of the Evo-Stik League this evening, although we do welcome a team from the higher division of the same League, that is everyone connected with Stocksbridge Park Steels, for an evening of FA Cup action.

Mind you, we did leave it late to secure this replay!!!

As I walked out of the ground on Saturday afternoon, a home supporter stopped me and said that it would have been so unfair had we lost that game, and it was certainly hard to argue.

I thought the lads were tremendous on the day, although I have no doubt that the Steels will be determined to make amends tonight. It should be quite a match.

BAD RUN We are now four games undefeated, and the dreadful start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory. Those four defeats were hard to take, but of late, I have seen the real Rams that we, as supporters, have enjoyed so much over the last four years.

We absolutely battered AFC Liverpool, in what I felt was the proverbial banana-skin fixture. That performance should be put into context, for they have just become the first team this season to defeat NWCFL leaders Maine Road, and they did so on Road’s home ground on Saturday.

Against Northwich, I felt we at least matched the big-spending Vics, who are bound to be amongst the favourites for promotion, whilst our win at Ossett Albion was well deserved.

The performance at Stocksbridge on Saturday merely confirmed that we are almost back to our best.

Let’s put that opening run down to us getting our bad patch out of the way early this time, and look forward to climbing that league table, and hopefully, tonight, making advances in the world’s finest cup competition.

SHOCKS The FA Cup always produces it’s fair share of shocks, and there were certainly one or two on Saturday.

None more so that Lancaster City’s fine 1-0 victory away to FA Vase holders, Spennymoor Town, who are one of the best teams in the strong Northern League.

Curzon Ashton’s superb start to the season continued with a 4-2 defeat of Premier Division side Marine, over at Crosby, while Chorley silenced the never-ending singers of FC United with a narrow 1-0 win at Gigg Lane.

Perhaps the most eye-catching result was Trafford’s annihilation of former Conference side Droylsden on their own Butchers Arms ground, with Shelton Payne scoring all five! Not too long ago you would have been given huge odds against such a score-line, but such is the state of the Bloods these days, that the way they are going, they may well be in this division next season.

I feel for Droylsden. I have seen many games there over the years, and always enjoyed my visits. Much of the success has been down to owner/manager Dave Pace, who has poured thousands into the club. A controversial character who stirs up much animosity in the Tameside area, I have a lot of time for the bloke. He’s a true football fan who’s not afraid to say what he thinks.

Alas, money both on and off the pitch is now tight, and Dave remains, for once, silent.

I hope the glitch is temporary, as the game needs the Dave Pace’s of this world, and I don’t like to see a fine old club like Droylsden sliding down the way they appear to be doing at the moment.

However, let’s concentrate on tonight’s match, and then head over to the very same Tameside, this time to Mossley, on Saturday. Last season saw the team’s finest performance as we came away with a superb 4-0 win, and the level of support for the lads was formidable.

A repeat of both he score and the support would be very welcome indeed come Saturday!

Stocksbridge Park Steels was created in 1986 with the merger of Stocksbridge Works F.C. and another Stocksbridge Club Oxley Park Sports F.C. Stocksbridge Works had the ground and only one team and Oxley Park had three teams and no ground.

In the early years 1986-91 the new Club ploughed all its resources into the Bracken Moor Stadium so as to meet ground grading criteria and enable the Club to rise through the non-league pyramid system.

There was an opening of a social club, refurbishment to the dressing rooms, erection of floodlights, the building of new stand and extension to the social club new canteen area, making the ground the best junior stadium in South Yorkshire, which currently hosts 8 to 9 Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA Finals.

The appointment of Mick Horne and Trevor Gough as Team Manager and Assistant in February 1991 heralded a period of success to rival the works in the 1950/1964 period.

Under Mick and Trevor, Steels started their run to the present Unibond League.

1993/4 saw steels win Premier division of the NCEL, but Steels celebrations were cut short when the ground improvements necessitated were not at an advanced enough state to allow Steels to take place in the Unibond League. The following season Steels finished in 3rd place and in 1995/96 they were runners up to Hatfield Main and gained promotion to the Unibond First Division. Steels made steady progress in the first five seasons in the Unibond League, with the highest placed position of 4th achieved in 2000/01.

In 2002 Wayne Biggins was subsequently appointed Player/Manager after a short spell as Assistant Manager, with Graham Furness as Assistant. In the 2002/03 season, Paul Jackson, equalled an FA Cup record of ten goals in one game, during the Steels 17-1 thrashing of Oldham Town.

Steels had their best FA Cup run in the 2003/2004 season reaching the fourth qualifying round eventually losing away at Shildon

In November 2003 Peter Rinkcavage was appointed as Manager from Gainsborough Trinity with Paul Bradshaw as Assistant with Jason Maybury, taking over from Bradshaw in 2004.

A good season followed in 2005/2006 with the Steels, just missing out on promotion after losing to Kendal in the play-offs.

In the 2006/2007 season Steels missed out on a play-off position after being in the top three in 90% of the season. But the team finished the season on a high note beating local rivals Worksop Town in the Sheffield senior cup final at Hillsborough.

This was to be the last game, with Peter Rinkcavage in charge. He along with assistant Jason Maybury, left to join Worksop Town in the summer of 2007.

Gary Marrow, along with his assistant Mark Ogley was appointed manager before the start of the 2007/2008 season, with former player Gary Ingham taking over from Ogley midway through the season. In his First season at the club, Marrow steered them to a credible 5th place losing to local rivals Sheffield F.C. in the play-off semifinal.

Steels have just been awarded the prestigious top FA Charter Standard Community Club Award (3 of 3) and representatives from most of the Clubs 22 squads were at the Presentation on August 6th when Sheffield United player Geoff Horsfield and Blades Legend Keith Edwards handed over the FA plaque.

At the moment the club has 420 players either playing in a squad or being coached on a regular basis (12 Junior Boys, 3 Junior Girls and 7 Seniors). Stocksbridge Park Steels is now acknowledged to be the top 'grass roots' Community Club in South Yorkshire.

2008/09 was a fabulous season for Gary Marrows team, having finished third in Unibond League Division 1 South they won the play-off final against Derbyshire rivals Belper Town 1-0 and were promoted to the Unibond Premier league for the first time in the club’s history.

stocksbridge

today’s visitors

Steels supporters were in for a roller coaster debut season in the Unibond premier league, 10 games into the season while his team were top of the league, manager Gary Marrow resigned. Former Steels player Simon Collins took over but unfortunately his tenure didn’t last long. Reserve manager Steve Shutt took

over and guided Steels to an excellent 11th.

The 2010/11 season started with the return of Gary Marrow as manager.

Gary Marrow resigned just before Christmas during the 2011/12 season and was replaced with Chris Willcock, Darren Schofield was appointed his assistant.

In a game that started at a whirlwind pace, Ramsbottom United collected their first league win of the season, despite a late fightback by the home side.

The game was barely three minutes old when the Rams took the lead.

A fine cross from the left behind the defence from Joel Pilkington found Lee Gaskell who bundled it home from close range.

The home side replied almost immediately when Adam Muller broke through only to see Grant Shenton deny him with a fine save.

A minute later an identical move resulted in a speedy equaliser. A through ball again split the visitors’ defence, and this time Dale Kelly made no mistake as he fired in a fierce drive that gave Shenton no chance.

Ryan Harrison then went close with a header for the Albion as the early action swung from end to end.

Jordan Hulme let fly from 20 yards which Ossett keeper Adam Rhodes tipped over the bar, and from the subsequent corner, Andy Dawson saw his header and Danny Warrender’s follow-up hacked off the line.

The action continued when a mazy run into the area by Grant Spencer, on 14 minutes, saw him up-ended, leaving the referee with no choice other than to point to the spot.

The usually reliable Phil Dean stepped up to take the penalty, but he clipped the crossbar and the ball sailed high over.

However, that was forgotten sixty seconds later, as the Rams did manage to regain the lead with an almost identical goal to the first.

This time the cross came from the right.

Warrender fed Dominic Smalley down the wing, and he sent in another cross behind the defenders which again found Gaskell who had the simplest of tasks of slotting it home.

Dawson was again on the end of a Smalley cross but this time the keeper was equal to it, but the big central defender must have known his luck was out, as three more times in the first half he was involved but unable to help increase the lead.

He headed a corner back in only to see Hulme head over from close range, before having another header cleared off the line, and a further nod back found Warrender whose attempt ricocheted back off the bar.

The Rams went in at half-time good value for the lead, but with a little more luck, would have had the game sewn up by then.

The second half saw a much more determined effort from the home side, although it was the visitors who looked lively at the start.

Smalley’s fine run into the area saw his shot blocked, and Joel Pilkington could only fire the rebound over the bar.

Dawson, on a night of frustration, saw yet another header scooped off the line, whilst a long cross from Smalley found Gaskell near the far post, but he couldn’t quite get his angles right..

Albion substitute Adam Hayton began the fight back, but his shot was easily gathered by Shenton, whilst at the other end, Hulme saw his header from another Smalley cross brilliantly tipped round the post by Rhodes.

The home side began to up the pressure, and almost grabbed an equaliser when a corner was only half cleared and Niall O’Brien’s cheeky overhead kick crashed against the post before sailing across the face of the goal to be eventually cleared.

The Rams soaked up the pressure as the minutes ticked down, but the home side failed to penetrate the rearguard, and the visitors picked up a deserved three points to begin their ascent of the table.

a win at last 1-2

Queens Terrace 10th September 2013 Att: 73 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (3, 15) Ossett Albion Goals: Kelly (4)

this time last season

1-1

Throstle Nest 22nd September 2012 Att: 183 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (61) Brigg Goals: Grant (15)

Ramsbottom United came back over the Pennines with a point that looked well out of their reach with an hour of the match gone.

At that point, the home side had been so dominant that the 1-0 score-line looked a travesty.

However, resolute defence from the visitors had ensured that, for all their possession, the home side had to be content with a 15th minute strike from Grant.

A single goal lead is never sufficient in any match, and so it proved in this one.

An inspired substitution changed the whole outlook of the game, and in the end, it was the Farsley fans who were urging the referee to blow the full-time whistle.

Ramsbottom had already been served notice of the home side’s intent when Grant was denied from close range by Grant Shenton in the Rams goal, then a ball over the top of a stretched defence found Grant with plenty of space in the area, and he coolly rolled the ball wide of Shenton to open the scoring.

A last ditch tackle from Joel Pilkington saved what looked like a certain second, before Muller turned well in the box before planting an angled drive past Shenton, but fortunately for the visitors, it sailed just wide of the far post.

Shenton was then tested by Watson before holding a close range header from Muller as the Farsley side turned up the pressure.

Home defender Jackson joined in the action and he saw the over-worked Shenton palm away his fine effort, before, at last, after 41 minutes, the first chance fell for the visitors.

A long cross from Phil Dean on the left found Dominic Smalley on the right hand side of the penalty area. He pushed the ball back into the six yard box, but the grounded Lee Gaskell could not find sufficient power with his scooped effort to beat home custodian Morgan.

The Rams found respite with the half-time whistle, as they trooped off knowing that they had endured 45 punishing minutes and were relieved to be just the one goal down.

The second half began in similar fashion.

Watson was again denied by Shenton who tipped his fierce drive over the bar. Muller should have done better when he cleared the bar from

six yards out, whilst Watson drove his effort wide, and Walton’s drive fell kindly for Shenton.

A rare break upfield almost saw the visitors level, when Dean’s cross fell just behind Gaskell, yet the striker still managed to direct his header goalwards, but it fell inches wide of the post.

That was to be Dean’s last action of the afternoon as he was replaced by the returning Grant Spencer.

What an inspired 60th minute substitution that proved to be.

With his first touch, Spencer charged forward before releasing a perfect through ball for Gaskell, who cleverly lobbed the advancing keeper to level the scores.

Suddenly the Rams began to believe in themselves, as the pattern of the game changed totally.

Having been on the back foot for an hour, confidence suddenly dictated that they should take the game to their hosts.

A Smalley cross deflected wide off Gaskell, and the striker fired over as the home side struggled to keep the visitors at bay.

Farsley still created a match-winning opportunity as the minutes ticked down. A ball into the right hand side of the penalty area put Grant through, and as Shenton came out to narrow the angle, the home scorer side-footed the ball just wide of the far post.

At the other end Ryan Moore was close to sneaking a winning goal only to be thwarted by home keeper Morgan, and the substitute thought he had claimed all three points deep into injury time, when he clipped the ball home.

Unfortunately, the linesman’s flag deemed otherwise.

As it was, the large contingent of Rams followers who had made the journey applauded the team off after a sterling second half performance that was totally at odds with that shown in the first 45 minutes.

At the end of the game, the visitors will have been more than happy with a point, and the never-say-die attitude when faced with the barrage that confronted them for an hour, will prove to be both required and invaluable in the months ahead.

fixtures and results 2013/2014 DATE Sat 17th Aug Tues 20th Aug Sat 24th Aug Mon 26th Aug Sat 31st Aug Sat 7th Sept Tues 10th Sept Sat 14th Sept Tues 17th Sept Sat 21st Sept Tues 24th Sept Sat 28th Sept Tues 1st Oct Sat 5th Oct Tues 8 th Oct Sat 12th Oct Tues 15th Oct Sat 19th Oct Tues 22nd Oct Sat 26th Oct Tues 29th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sat 16th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Sat 30th Nov Wed 4th Dec Sat 7th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 28th Dec Wed 1st Jan Sat 4th Jan Sat 11th Jan Sat 18th Jan Sat 25th Jan Sat 1st Feb Sat 8th Feb Sat 15th Feb Sat 22nd Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Sat 15th Mar Sat 22nd Mar Sat 29th Mar Sat 5th Apr Sat 12th Apr Sat 19th Apr Mon 21st Apr Sat 26th Apr

H A A H H H A A H A H H A A H A H H H A H A A H H A H A A A H A H H A A H H A H A H A A H A A A H A H A H

OPPOSITION CURZON ASHTON Ossett Town Warrington Town PADIHAM AFC Liverpool - FA Cup NORTHWICH VICTORIA Ossett Albion Stocksbridge - FA Cup Stocksbridge - FA Cup Mossley DARLINGTON 1883 CLITHEROE Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FAT prel LANCASTER CITY Wakefield ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy (WORKSOP) (FAT1Q) PRESCOT CABLES Harrogate Railway Athletic OSSETT ALBION (FAT 2Q) Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Cammell Laird BURSCOUGH Kendal Town (Doodson Sport Cup) Curzon Ashton OSSETT TOWN Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY FARSLEY Padiham Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe WAKEFIELD Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY (Doodson Sport Cup) Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills (Doodson Cup SF) Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE

RES 1-3 0-2 0-1 1-2 5-0 2-2 2-1 2-2

ATT 254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129

STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender

Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington

Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth

Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson

Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson *

Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 +

Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer

Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell

Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme #

Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1

66/7: Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8:Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8: Kenyon Cup Winners 71/2: Cornall Cup Winners 72/3: Bolton Combination Div One Champions 74/5: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 76/7: Bolton Combination Premier Division Champions 76/7: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 79/80: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Winners 81/2: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Runners-Up 83/4: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 84/5: Bolton Combination First Division Runners-Up 84/5: Bolton Boys Federation Under-16’s League Champions 85/6: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s League Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Lancashire FA Under-18’s Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation Under-18’s League Champions 87/8: Bolton Combination Open Cup Runners-Up

SUBSTITUTES Drew + Smalley * Warburton Smalley * Warburton * Brooks # Edghill * Morley Pilkington * Bradbury # 1 Bradbury Edghill Toth * Prickett Roberts + Flannery *

Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks #

Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth

Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett

90/1: Manchester League Division One Cup Winners 90/1: Manchester League Division One Champions 93/4: Yorkshire Cup Runners-Up 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Cup Winners 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Champions 94/5: Gylchrist Cup Winners 94/5: Manchester Festival of Football Runners-Up 94/5: Manchester County FA Youth Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Jubilee Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 95/6: North West Counties Division Two Cup Winners 96/7: North West Counties Division Two Champions 97/8: North West Counties Reserve Division Cup Winners 98/9: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 98/9: North West Counties Reserve North Champions 2000/01: Bolton Bys Federation Jubilee Cup Runners-Up 01/2: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 01/2; Bolton Hospital Cup Runners-Up 05/6: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 06/7: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 07/8: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 10/11: North West Counties Division One Runners-Up 11/12: North West Counties Division One Champions

rammy club honours

EDITORIAL - GRAHAM SHUTTLEWORTH He may no longer be managing but 'Fergie time' certainly lives on!!!

It was a brave decision by referee Matt McGrath to award the penalty in what was the final minute of stoppage time at the weekend, a decision that had home supporters expressing their displeasure with him as he left the field of play 60 seconds later, but it was no more than we deserved, and in all honesty, I think it would have been a travesty had we not at least taken the game to a replay. Some will undoubtedly disagree with my views, but I'll stick by them!

Was it a penalty? I was at the opposite end, as I was for the Stocksbridge first half penalty, so I couldn't in all honesty say, but the person who matters thought both were.

No one from Ramsbottom who made the journey to Stocksbridge on Saturday can complain (hopefully) about the commitment of the team, and perhaps all it needs is that little bit more composure and the same self-belief that they clearly had last season to see them progress to the next stage.

Both sides will know who waits them after the game tonight, so it's all to play for yet again!

What strikes me about our performances in recent fixtures is that we have not yet had that bit of good fortune that will turn the tide significantly in our favour, and it's becoming a very much 'if only' situation at present, and the goal frame has seen more of the ball than the net, but I am confident that when it does happen, then someone will cop for it!

So welcome to one and all this evening, and thanks for taking the time to attend this evening and perhaps settle for the highlights of the European Championship games later on tv instead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plaudits must go to Trafford's Shelton Payne who scored all FIVE of his sides goals against Droylsden at the home of the Tameside outfit at the weekend to send the former Conference side crashing out of The FA Cup at the first hurdle.

It wasn't that long ago that the Bloods had visions of greater things. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We have made a request to put our Lancashire Trophy fixture against Atherton LR back 24 hours to 16 October in order to avoid a clash with the England v Poland World Cup Qualifying game on the Tuesday evening. An announcement will be made as soon as we receive a reply. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The FA have had their Respect Campaign in full-swing for some years now and clearly they are prepared to enforce it. The following has been published, and I understand that Ashcroft is appealing the decision.

'Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Tuesday 10 September 2013, Lee Ashcroft has been given a 10-match stadium ban and fined ÂŁ800.

The Northwich Victoria manager has also been ordered to complete an appropriate education programme within four months. Ashcroft has notified The FA of his wish to appeal the decision and until such time as the appeal is heard and the outcome known, the sanctions outlined above are stayed.

The charge was that during a match between Northwich Victoria and Gresley on 12 January 2013, Ashcroft used abusive and/or insulting words towards an opposition football coach which included a reference to her gender within the meaning of FA Rule E3(2).

Ashcroft denied the charge, however, on Tuesday at a personal hearing, the Independent Regulatory Commission found the charge proven.'

EDITORIAL - COMING UP Our next fixtures—two big home games …. And two local ways!!!

MOSSLEY v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Saturday 21 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v DARLINGTON 1883 Tuesday 24 September 2013—7.45pm kick-off Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v CLITHEROE Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North or FA CUP SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING Saturday 28 September 2013—3.00pm kick-off RADCLIFFE BOROUGH v RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North Tuesday 1 October 2013—7.45pm kick-off MOSSLEY Address: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, OL5 0ES Directions: The ground is in the centre of Mossley. Find the A670 (Stamford Street), which is a one-way road through the town, and then turn left into Market Street. There is very little parking on the ground, so park on the road.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Address: Stainton Park, Stainton Close, Radcliffe, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M26 3RE Directions: From Rammy head into Bury on the Brandlesholme Road. At B&Q turn right towards Bolton on the A58, and travel a mile and a half until you get to the traffic lights at the Ainsworth Arms. Turn left down Higher Ainsworth Road, and then after about 3/4 mile turn right down Turks Road. Left at the mini roundabout onto Pilkington Road, and the ground is set back from the road on the right, after about 300 yards.

It’s got a decent sized carpark so parking shouldn’t be too much trouble, though you can always park on the main road if it’s already full of the hoards of travelling Rammy fans. We think they’ve put double-yellow lines on the short road to the ground, so Pilkington Road might be the best option if it’s busy.

EDITORIAL - OUT OF ACTION

Phil Edghill gets his marching orders against Padiham

and Owen Roberts (calf) have both recovered from these niggling problems and are back to full fitness.

We still are very busy in the physio room with ongoing treatment and conditioning but everyone came through the FA Cup fixture in relatively good shape meaning that t h e r e shouldn't be any forced changes for the replay.

Phil Edghill will be missing for tonight’s return fixture against Stockbridge and the Moseley game due to the red card he received during the Padiham game on bank holiday Monday.

Although the physio room has been very busy during the early stages of the season we are coming to a great point where everyone is back training or returning to playing.

Ian Flannery (hamstring) came off the bench for the Stockbridge game and came through unhurt and will be available for selection this week.

Gary Stopforth (foot)

Ian Flannery back in action at Stocksbridge on Saturday

TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 1

Grant Spencer’s brother, Scott, plays for which Skrill Premier side?

2

Which Evo-Stik side shares it’s ground with a Rugby League team?

3

Name the colours of Evo-Stik League side Bedworth United

4

Which former Rammy player is now manager of Salford City?

5

Who plays at Dimple Wells?

6

Scunthorpe United are known as “The Iron”, but they share their nick-name with which Skrill Premier club?

7

Which company sponsored the Northern Premier League before Evo-Stik?

8

Name the club that caused a furore at FA headquarters by having the name of the town’s Tyre company on their shirts before shirt advertising was allowed

9

Which television company first broadcast regular non-league games live?

Answers: : 1.Hyde 2.Wakefield 3.All Green 4.Barry Massey 5.Ossett Albion tree Town 7.Unibond 8.Kettering Town 9.Setanta 10.”Non-League Today”

6.Brain-

10 “The Non league Paper” briefly had a rival Sunday newspaper.

What was its title?

photo courtesy of Jon Bennett

rammy squad Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson

Coach Darren Green

Coach Glenn Moses

Coach John Hunter Physio Katy Richardson

Coach John Hunter

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton

Right-back Jordan Hulme

Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Right-back Dan Warrender Right-back Dan Warrender

Right-back Left-backJordan Owen Hulme Roberts Left-back Left-backJoel JoelPilkington Pilkington

Midfielder Tom Toth Midfielder Mark Drew

Midfielder Grant Spencer Midfielder Midfielder Phil Phil Edghill Edghill

Midfielder Gary Stopforth Left-wing Phil Dean

Right-wing Right-wing Dom Dom Smalley Smalley Striker Tom Brookes

Striker Jon Robinson Striker Lee Gaskell

Striker Matty Warburton Midfielder Tom Toth

Striker Luke Bradbury Striker Adam Morning

EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB

If you look closely you might find the kitchen sink in there somewhere!

Once again we threw everything but the kitchen sink at our opposition on Saturday and, but for a mad moment in the Stocksbridge defence, where Telling decided to go in wildly on a prostrate Gary Stopforth, we’d have been rueing missed chances and making that inevitable decision to ‘concentrate on the league’.

But no, here we are in a thoroughly deserved replay, earned against higher opposition, with a chance to take another step towards Wem-ber-ley, though let’s be honest, a trip to Rochdale would do!

On the Supporters Club front, Bernard and Johnno kindly attended our meeting on Wednesday last, and spent a couple of hours filling us in on their plans, their hopes, and their excuses for the woeful four defeats that opened this season - though they did focus on the three match unbeaten run (now four!) I spent ages typing up a transcription of what was said, minus a few tactical bits and bobs and the usual whinging about chairman Harry Williams, and Katie will get this emailed out to everyone first thing tomorrow.

Johnno asked us to pull out all the stops to publicise the Clitheroe game on the 28th September, and we were ready to press ‘print’ on a whole load of flyers, but then we realised that if we win tonight then we would find ourselves playing the next round of the FA Cup on that night - the heady heights of the 2nd Qualifying Round no less! Once we know what’s going on on the 28th we’ll be badgering you with an armful of flyers to help us try and get another big crowd down to the Riverside. If you’re up for spending an hour stuffing them through letterboxes then please give Katie a shout, join the supporters club (lovely enamel badge and car sticker included in the bargain £5) or, if you’re already a member then please keep your eyes peeled for the imminent email.

Please keep up the good work on the terraces, and well done for not sneaking off early after my deranged rant in last week’s programme. - Rob

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Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY

Manager: Darren SCHOFIELD Assistant: Brett BOWDEN-LOVELL

Ben SCOTT Liam ROYLES Nick SWIRAD Brett BOWDEN-LOVELL Ben TURNER Alex CALLERY Matt HAMSHAW Chris BETTNEY KNOWLES Nathan JOYNES Chris WHITE Will SENIOR Janni LIPKA Danny SOUTH Andy RING Alec DENTON John TRAVIS Lewis AKEISTER

Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Joel PILKINGTON Gary STOPFORTH Andy DAWSON Jordan HULME Mark DREW Adam GrantMORNING SPENCER Grant Jon ROBINSON SPENCER Jon Tom ROBINSON BROOKS Tom Phil BROOKES DEAN LeePhil GASKELL DEAN Dominic Lee SMALLEY GASKELL Dominic Tommy SMALLEY TOTH Ian Tommy FLANNERY TOTH Luke BRADBURY Phil EDGHILL Owen ROBERTS Matthew MatthewPRICKETT RUSSELL Adam NUTTALL Sam HOWELL Callum SMITH

Referee: Next home game: TuesdayAssistants: 24th September, 7:45pm Darlington Next home game: