rammy news V PADIHAM 19.11.13
There were massive feelings of disappointment after our 3-0 defeat away at Worcester City on Sunday, with dreams of what could have been. A really fantastic travelling support saw us trailing 1-0 at half-time, and we asked the lads for a reaction, which we felt that we got. The 20-25 minutes after half-time we felt that we had the better play, and deserved something from the game, but once we conceded on the break, we could feel that our trophy run was coming to an end. That’s two games that we’ve been on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat by a Conference North side, and while it shows that there isn’t an enormous gap in quality, those teams definitely punish you severely for making mistakes. We get the chance to put things right tonight
(provided we don’t get the three feet of snow we’ve been promised) against local rivals Padiham, who turned us over early in the season and who we owe! It would be nice to get ourselves back to winning ways quickly, and then get on with catching up on some of these league games that we’ve been missing. Although we were a little down after the Trophy exit, we will re-group and come back stronger tonight. A big thanks to everyone who travelled down to the Worcester game. It really means a lot to all of us to have you there, cheering on the lads. I hope everyone enjoys tonight’s game. Come on You Rams!
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL So the FA trophy run comes to an end. It’s been a great adventure, and great experience for the lads, but we now need to move on, and we begin with the second visit of the season from our friends up the road at Padiham. I was unable to travel down to Kidderminster on Sunday, but how refreshing it was to tune in to live commentary over the web from BBC Hereford and Worcester. It didn’t make for the most pleasant of listening, but I make it that it’s the third game this season that we’ve had broadcast live, after Barrow and Blyth Spartans. Whilst Twitter has it’s place in keeping supporters, who aren’t able to make certain games, up-to-date with what’s happening, live commentary is much better. There is talk of Rossendale Radio returning to the air, and as such, there may well be a chance for regular Rams’ games being featured. We shall see. Apparently, listening to comments made during the game, the Worcester v Ramsbottom game was the ONLY game being transmitted by the BBC on Sunday, and made available WORLDWIDE! Just how far have we come over the last few seasons?!
WELCOME…. …to our old friends from up the road at Padiham. The Storks were partially responsible for our poor start to the season, as they came down here in August and beat us 2-1. So we owe them one tonight! Padiham have had a mixed start to the season, but are gradually finding their feet, and I’m sure they will finish the season in a respectable position. Tonight , of course, is a knock-out tie. Some will look down their noses at such a competition, but should we make it to the final, such thoughts will be well and truly banished! Here’s hoping that we can make it through to the next round.
STEAMROLLER AND NUT Ever heard of Fleet Spurs FC? Neither had I until the weekend. They apparently play in the Wessex League, but events over the last few days have certainly greatly improved their profile, whilst at the same time, showing up one of the games big boys. Formed in 1948 (before even I was born!), the club have had a cockerel on their badge since they were formed. Now the mighty Tottenham Hotspur have decided that it breaches their copyright, and have thus sent the tiny Hampshire club a solicitors letter giving them two weeks to remove the cockerel from their badge and clubhouse. Such a move will cost Fleet £4000, money they haven’t got. The reason, according to the bully-boys at White Hart Lane, is that without taking such action, they can hardly act against counterfeit goods manufacturers. Perhaps they will also take action against the French government who also have a cockerel as their national symbol? Sad when a top level club feels it has to act in such a childish and uncharitable way to a club where 30 is considered a good attendance. I despair. Is it any wonder I have no time for top level football in this country?! Enjoy your non-league football!
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 Editor: 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 Brooks 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
It might be hard to imagine today but in the immediate years following the establishment of Padiham Football Club in November 1878 the “Caldersiders” as they were then known were considered one of Lancashire’s soccer pioneers and one of the better Club sides in England. The Padiham Club were in at the birth of the Lancashire Football Associations Senior Cup competition in 1879, reached the third round proper of the F.A. Cup in season 1883 - 84 and beat Burnley F.C. 6-0, 7-0, 9-1 and 4-2 in their first four encounters. Gates of over 2,000 were not uncommon for the visits of teams like Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Burnley and other local rivals to Padiham F.C.’S ground which was originally situated on the banks of the River Calder at the end of Wyre Street in Padiham and initially leased from the Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall. At present the site is occupied by the Potterton Myson Limited Main Gas factory and nothing remains of the Clubs original ground which witnessed many encounters with Clubs that later achieved Football League status. In fact it was the setting up of the Football League and the ensuing loss of fixtures with the leading Clubs, as well as the legalisation of professionalism within football that ended Padiham’s initial decade of success.
today’s visitors padiham
Being an ardent stalwart of the fight waged from Lancashire for the legalisation of professionalism in football, Padiham’s progressive outlook at the time ironically helped fashion the stranglehold football finance came to have on small town Clubs, in hindsight it condemned Padiham to an ongoing fight for survival. Unable to secure the services of players able to compete with the bigger surrounding towns and cities, gates dropped and as a result reduced income meant Padiham had to restrict its activities to playing in the Lancashire Combination Football League and at times the local minor leagues. The outbreak of World War One curtailed Padiham Football Club’s involvement in active football altogether at the end of the 1915 - 1916 season, and the loss of their ground during the War meant that Padiham Football Club lay dormant until after the end of World War Two when they were reformed. The rebirth of Padiham Football Club came about in 1949 with the opening of the “Arbories” Memorial Sports Ground in Padiham on August 20th 1949 when 1777 spectators turned up to see the Club’s opening Lancashire Combination fixture of the 1949 - 50 football season. In 1982, Padiham Football Club became founder members of the North West Counties Football League; however in 1990 they left the league and joined the West Lancashire Football League where they played their football for ten seasons. Padiham Football Club returned to the North West Counties Football League for the 2000 2001 season and to date have spent over £400,000 on upgrading their “Arbories” Memorial Sports Ground. Padiham FC gained promotion to the EvoStik Northern Premier League for Season 2013/14 after winning the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in Season 2012/13.
today’s visitors padiham
crashing down to earth
An Ethan Moore hat-trick sent Worcester City through to the first round of the FA Trophy as the home side did enough to see off a plucky Ramsbottom United. Ethan Moore ended City’s four game goal drought as he slotted the home side ahead at the end of the first half, before pouncing on two second half mistakes to seal the win. The Rams were full of confidence going into the tie having already claimed the scalps of Blyth Spartans and Worksop Town in the competition this season. Both sides jostled for the upper-hand in a scrappy opening ten minutes but neither side could firmly establish themselves in the game. Niall Thompson opened the City attacking with a speculative drive from distance, seeing his shot rise harmlessly over Grant Shenton’s goal. But the Evo-Stik Northern Division One side did not seem fazed by the occasion, threatening themselves minutes later, as Grant Spencer’s free kick was cleared to Gary Stopforth on the edge of the area, whose low drive was deflected wide. Stopforth was then brought down by Richard Taundry on the edge of the City area on the twenty-minute mark. The left foot of Owen Roberts curled the central free kick just wide of the post. City began to create more chances after the half hour mark. Ellis Deeney’s through ball behind the United back four set Nti clear, with the powerful forward unleashing a shot from the corner of the area that was tipped over the bar by Shenton. Nti was denied again minutes later as Taundry’s through ball caused indecision by Billy Priestley, with Nti pouncing on the mistake, but failing to slot his shot around the advancing Shenton. The home side continued to get the better of the chances as Ellis Deeney’s free kick from the left found a leaping Sam Smith, who couldn’t steer his header either side of
the goalkeeper. But City finally found a way past Shenton as Ethan Moore put the home side ahead just five minutes before half time. The pacey Niall Thompson broke through the middle of the pitch, threading a through ball to Ethan Moore, who slotted the ball past Shenton at the near post with a clinical finish sending the Blue and Whites into the break with a one goal advantage. The visitors continued to fight after the restart but created little in the way of goal scoring opportunities. Owen Roberts cross found Lee Gaskell unmarked in the area, but the striker couldn’t connect fully with the cross, stretching to send his header away from the target. Midway through the half the game was threatening to boil over after several strong challenges from both sides. City continued to play offensively, but Nti could only steer an Ethan Moore cross wide of the target with the goal gaping. City threw on Danny Glover and Aaron Williams with twenty-five minutes remaining in the hopes to steal a crucial second goal. And in the 67th minute Ethan Moore bagged his second goal of the game to give the Aggborough side breathing space. A long ball was hounded down by the striker, who challenged the advancing goalkeeper, stealing the ball and stroking it home into the vacant net. Moore snatched his third goal with ten minutes remaining, pouncing on defensive indecision in the Rams ranks before slotting under Shenton, with his hat-trick enough to send City into the first round of the FA Trophy. Manager Carl Heeley was pleased that his side managed to avoid a potential upset. “I’m sure a few people turned up today expecting to see an upset. But the players have got some character and they’ve done a professional job”, said Heeley.
3-0
Aggborough, Kidderminster 17th November 2013 Att: 341 Rammy Goals: Worcester City Goals: Moore (41, 68, 81)
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TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS
1 Bradford Park Avenue’s original ground was located on (Which) Park Avenue? 2 Northern League side Gillford Park are now know as what? 3 What colours do Welsh League champions TNS play in? 4 Which non-league club plays at Wetherby Road?
5 Former Ramsbottom United player, Chris Wilcock is currently manager at which club?
6 AP Leamington used to play in the Alliance League (fore-runner to the Conference). What did AP stand for? 7 Who was the manager who was in charge of Marine for around 30 years until the early 2000’s?
8 Name the former player who has been assistant manager at Droylsden for a number of seasons.
9 The now-defunct Urmston Town used to play at the home of which Evo-Stik League club?
ANSWERS: 1. Horton, 2. Celtic Nation 3. Green and White 4. Harrogate Town 5. Glossop North End 6. Automotive Products 7. Roly Howard 8 Aeon Lattie 9 Trafford 10. Hope Street
10 Prescot Cables Valerie Park used to be known as what?
Ramsbottom United’s ten match unbeaten run came to an end with a narrow defeat at the hands of Premier Division side FC United of Manchester. In front of another large crowd at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, the visitors upped their game after an even first half, to deservedly move into the next round of the League Cup. FC took the lead with the first meaningful attack of the game after ten minutes. Home keeper Grant Shenton stopped a close range volley before Astley Mulholland reacted quickest to the loose ball to blast it home from six yards out. The lead lasted a mere three minutes. A right wing corner from Owen Roberts was met perfectly by Billy Priestley who planted a firm header into the back of the visitors net. Minutes later, the Manchester team were fortunate when a high free-kick into the area bounced off the head of a defender, only for Jon Worsnop in goal to flick the ball over from just under the bar. In a half of few chances, Tom Greaves weaved his way along the edge of the Ramsbottom penalty area, before firing in an angled effort that sailed wide of the far post. The second half began with the first chance to the Rams. Phil Dean raced down the left before sending in a cross that sailed over the heads of two team-mates but bounced to allow Jordan Hulme to dive in to head the ball at the far post, but his attempt sailed harmlessly over the bar.
priestley off the mark 1-2
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 12th November 2013 Att: 464 Rammy Goals: Priestley (13) FC United Goals: Mulholland (19), Norton (65)
Shenton made a fine save from Greaves to keep the score level, then a free-kick from the edge of the box was headed over by the wall for a corner. From that corner, FC scored what proved to be the match-winner. The ball was flicked on and Mike Norton turned to fire home from close range. Substitutes Grant Spencer and Dominic Smalley combined to send in the latter, but he placed his shot wide of the target as the home side looked for an equaliser, but in truth, most of the half belonged to the visitors. The wall blocked a free-kick from Rhodri Giggs, and Shenton smothered the ball from Mulholland after a mazy run into the area, before Norton should have finished the game off on 81 minutes. He beat the offside trap, but with only Shenton to beat, he lofted the ball too high and over the bar. Lewis Brownhill had the last chance for FC in the final minute, but he, too, was thwarted by Shenton, but it hardly mattered as the visitors deservedly progressed through to round two.
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 Weds 16th Oct Sat 19th Oct Sat 26th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sun 17th Nov Tues 19th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Tues 26th 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 Tues 28th Jan Sat 1st Feb Tues 4th 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 A A A H A H H A A A H H A H H H A A A H A H H A A H H A 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 Barrow - FA Cup Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FA Trophy LANCASTER CITY Wakefield ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy WORKSOP FA Trophy 1Q Harrogate Railway Athletic Blyth Spartans FA Trophy Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Worcester City FA Trophy Padiham Lancs Trophy BURSCOUGH CLITHEROE Kendal Town (Doodson Sport Cup) Curzon Ashton WAKEFIELD Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY FARSLEY Padiham Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe Prescot Cables Cammell Laird OSSETT ALBION 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 3-0 4-3 3-0 0-3 1-1 2-1 6-0 3-2 3-1 7-2 4-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-2 0-3
ATT 254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64 69 355 124 298 899 292 464 341
STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender 1 Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender # Shenton Hulme + Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Hulme 1 Shenton Hulme Shenton Hulme Shenton Warrender Shenton Lomax Shenton Lomax Shenton Lomax Shenton Lomax Shenton Lomax + Shenton Lomax
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Pilkington Hulme Hulme Roberts Roberts
Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Gaskell 1 Stopforth # Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Pilkington Stopforth
Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson + Robinson Priestley Dawson Dawson Dawson * Warrender Warrender Dawson * Dawson Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender
Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson * Robinson Flannery # Flannery + Warrender Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warburton Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley
Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 + Smalley # Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Prickett Smalley 1 Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Toth Smalley
Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer Toth Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer + Hulme # Spencer
Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Hulme Robinson 1 + Robinson 1 + Smith 2 Robinson 1+ Robinson 1 + Robinson + Robinson Brooks * Robinson Robinson *
Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme # Roberts * 1 Roberts Robinson * 3 Robinson Robinson + Brooks Brooks 2 Brooks * Brooks 1 Brooks 2 * Brooks * Gaskell * Gaskell Gaskell Brooks Gaskell +
Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1 Dean Dean 1* Dean Dean Dean Dean + Dean Dean 1 Gaskell + Dean 2 Dean 2 Dean Dean 1 Dean # Dean * Pilkington
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 * Flannery # Morley Hulme # + Brooks * 2 Pilkington + Brooks * Edghill + Brooks * Brooks * 1 Hulme + Edghill + Gaskell * Edghill * Gaskell + Edghill + Pilkington * Dean Smalley + Hulme 1 + Pilkington Toth * Gaskell + Toth Brooks * Toth Johnson Toth Robinson * Smalley * Spencer # Toth Hulme *
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth Toth # Toth Priestley * Toth # Prickett # Hulme + Brooks Pilkington + Gaskell + Brooks +
Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth Brooks * Prickett Dawson # Morley Morley Morley Morley Morley Spencer # Gaskell * Chadwick Morley Warburton Chadwick Chadwick Warburton
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett Toth+ Hulme Edghill Edghill Johnson Edghill Pilkington Warburton Dawson Robinson Chadwick Johnson Johnson Smith Roberts # Stopforth Bradbury
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
The Rams started brightly and finished strongly, but in between, the visitors dominated, and eventually returned home with a deserved three points. This was the home side’s third consecutive league defeat, but whereas they could feel hard done by in the other two, in reality there could be no complaints this time. Yet things had started so brightly, as Grant Spencer strode into the left hand side of the penalty area before planting his shot to perfection, inside the far post. Just four minutes had passed, and this should have been the fillip the Rams needed, especially as, just moments later Spencer could have had a second. A flick-on from Jon Robinson set him up, but this time his accuracy let him down. Although Andy Dawson headed over from a corner, and a Dominic Smalley cross bounced harmlessly off Robinson’s shoulder, the visitors were beginning to exert themselves. A couple of efforts from the edge of the box sounded out a warning that this was to be a difficult encounter, before Grant Shenton in the home goal produced a magnificent save to push over a fierce drive from Walker. Confirmation of the task ahead soon arrived as Curzon turned the game around completely in the space of two minutes. A fine cross from the right, on 20 minutes, found Curzon’s leading scorer Kristian Dennis creating enough space to glance a header past Shenton to level the scores. Just two minutes later he again found space on the left of the box, and fired a low drive past Shenton and in by the far post. Having found an appetite for goal, Dennis was twice denied a third by a block and a save as Curzon began to dominate. At the other end, Smalley raced into the box but saw his chip bounce back off the bar, but forays into the visitors half were rare as the home defence continued to repel the challenge. Danny Warrender produced a desperate last gasp tackle to prevent a third, whilst Evans missed a sitter as the Rams de-
fence breathed another sigh of relief. The ever-dangerous Dennis fired wide before his hat-trick goal arrived on 39 minutes. A half clearance was cleverly lobbed back into the box via a spectacular overhead kick, and Dennis was again in the right spot to knock it home from close range. A deflection prevented Evans from adding a fourth, whilst from the ensuing corner, Watson sent his header over Shenton’s bar. The half-time break gave the home side time to regroup, and within six minutes they had regained a foothold in the game.. Neat control from Spencer laid the ball on to Lee Gaskell, and he fired home from ten yards to half the arrears. Dennis then somehow failed to add to his tally when he was left unmarked at the far post as the ball was driven in, but his touch only resulted in the ball squirming back into play instead if into the net. But on 63 minutes he notched his, and Curzon’s fourth, when a perfectly weighted through ball from Cook saw the danger man scampering into the area, and he drove the ball beneath the on-rushing Shenton to restore the two goal cushion. It was needed, as suddenly the home side began to take control. A Spencer free-kick was held by Ollerenshaw in the visitors goal, and Ramsbottom upped the pressure as Curzon seemed happy to sit back with the two goal lead. That lead should have been extended on 73 minutes when Mark Sharples lost possession to Dennis who looked likely to add a fifth. This time, however, his effort sailed inches wide. Two minutes later the Rams were handed a life-line, when Phil Edghill was clumsily bowled over in the box. Phil Dean took responsibility and confidently fired home from the spot to make it 4-3. Try as they may, the home side failed to break down Curzon’s defence again, and as the minutes ticked away they were served another piece of misfortune when Edghill was dismissed for a second yellow card.
this time last season
3-4
Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 24th November 2012 Att: 199 Rammy Goals: Spencer (4), Gaskell (51), Dean (75) Curzon Ashton Goals: Dennis (20, 22, 39, 63)
GRAHAM SHUTTLEWORTH So we can cancel the order for the Wembley suits for another year and get back to dreaming of what have been. It's been an enjoyable and at times very exciting run with a total of four games (including the replay) in The FA Cup, scoring 10 times and conceding two before Barrow put an end to the run with a 3-0 win at Holker St. In the FA Trophy the team went one better with three victories, again scoring on 10 occasions conceding on three occasions, before departing the competition on Sunday with a repeat of the Barrow scoreline. They say every dream comes to an end but I think a vote of thanks has been to be expressed to Jonno, Bernard their staff and all the lads. I doubt that many would have expected what I understand is a recording breaking run in the Trophy this season, and if they can take this experience forward to next season, who knows where it may lead us? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's a welcome return this evening to Padiham as we compete to go into QF of the Lancashire FA Co-operative Challenge Trophy, and with it the prospect of an evening under the bright lights of the Reebok Stadium, but whoever gets through know only too well that there are some major hurdles to get over. Barrow are the most senior side and they have a home fixture against Bamber Bridge. We should be thankful that we haven't had to make that trip again, and with travel expense limited to just £150.00 we would have been on a financial loser before we even started! I am not against this type of County FA competition but having seen the Rules and what can and can't be claimed for then I am sure that they need some updating, and I'll be making enquiries about them well in advance of the County AGM! A coach trip for us as a Club to Barrow would be somewhere in the region of £450.00. How could we in all honesty seriously expect to play in a game when we know we would lose so much money? Another example is the cost of using floodlights. In both the FA Cup and Trophy a claim can be made for upto £100.00. In this competition - £30.00! Still, we are where we are and we shall see what the view is of others when the time is right. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We return to league action again on Saturday and we need to play catch-up, having completed just 14 games to date (only Curzon Ashton having played fewer, 13) and with Burscough being the visitors, who are just two points behind us but having played three games more, it presents the opportunity to begin to put daylight between us and some of the other clubs as we strive to join those with an eye on a play-off spot. Curzon are setting the pace at the top, but the question is with another FA Trophy game to fit in, will they be in danger of burn out as there league games mount up? We go there in a little over two weeks - how I hope we can have an early Christmas present!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An interesting dilemma for The FA Trophy Committee. Colwyn Bay 0-2 Altrincham - referee injured on 83 minutes, and Bay refuse to accept a spectator from the crowd to run a line or an Altrincham official, and manager Eddie Sinclair allegedly takes his players off the field of play and the game is abandoned. A replay or game awarded to Alty as Bay refused to continue to play-on? My bet is it will be a replay, and if it is, I just hope justice is done!
RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS
Good evening everyone! Well, what a terrific weekend that was! Unfortunately the result on Sunday afternoon didn't add to the excellence of the two days for me personally but it was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. The annual dinner of the Lancashire County Cricket League on Friday night and then a whole day at Twickenham for the England v New Zealand autumn international, which included lunch beforehand and then an invitation to the black tie dinner in honour of the Kiwis later in the evening and meeting some of the greats of the game of rugby union, followed by watching Rammy play Worcester City ... and I am home from a Rammy game by 8.15pm too! You could feel the disappointment from the lads after the game on Sunday afternoon as we went down 3-0 to a side two leagues higher than us (and I lost a fiver in the process having backed us to win with Betfair) in a match that was still a 'no lose' for us - we lost and we were expected to against a side who, despite being bottom of the league, were still two leagues ahead. But that is how far we have come as a club - that we can be disappointed to lose any game, regardless of who we are playing. We were saddened to lose at Barrow but thrilled to win against Stocksbridge, Worksop and Blyth, so you can see just what this club is all about now. Long long gone are the days of just turning up and playing and whatever the result brings, so be it. This team has real ambition and it rubs off on everyone else involved. Our support on Sunday was superb (and raucous too, so much so that we had our own guarding from some over zealous stewards!). We love it though, don't we! And so to tonight and we welcome Padiham once again to the HWRS for this Lancashire Trophy game, our third cup match in a row. We have been knocked out of two in succession so lets hope that tonight we can continue in this competition, which means a lot to the lads and the club. Sadly I am back home again so won't be at the ground tonight. My voice needs a little time to recover after Sundays plentiful shouting efforts and the Ashes starts tomorrow night so will be getting a bit of kip in to watch that! See you all again very soon - next scheduled match I will be at is the Curzon Ashton away match in early December. Can't wait!!!!!!
EDITORIAL - FROM THE DUGOUT I write this as following a very disappointing result against Worcester City in the FA Trophy and a very subdued coach trip back with the boys and a large section of the amazing traveling support of ours. The feeling of disappointment that our cup exploits are over seems to be overridden by the fact that we feel we could have got something out of the game. Regardless of this we are proud of our performance in all cup competitions this season and not only this I feel we have gained a lot of confidence boosting experiences and also momentum to carry us onto having a great run in the league and a push for promotion. We had a few bumps and bruises following the Worcester game including Owen Roberts who picked up a bang to the face and a busted nose during the game, and also a dead leg for Jon Robinson which he sustained late in the second half. Both injuries are minor and as long as Jon looks after himself neither should have any impact on the selection for Tuesday nights game with Padiham in the Lancashire Cup. We are still without Phil Dean for Tuesdays game as he sees out his remaining one game suspension for his two game ban which he got vs Blythe Spartans in the last round of the FA Trophy. we are also still missing Andy Dawson we should know how long he is to be missing by Tuesday night following on from his scan on Monday. We are still missing Phil Edghill as he continues his comeback. Apart from these few we have the same squad of fit players available and I know we are all hoping for a good result against Padiham to avenge the defeat we suffered in the league earlier this season. Fingers crossed.
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB Oh what great memories of watching higher-level football came flooding back as we visited Aggborough, the home of Kidderminster Harriers, and temporary stomping ground of our FA Trophy opposition, Worcester City. First of all, having to pay to park my car, with all the nearby streets all having “No Football Parking” signs on their walls. It reminded me of those heady days going to places like the Reebok Stadium, finding yourself hemmed into a ‘Visitors Parking’ lane with traffic cones, only to discover when you get to the front of the queue, that they want £12 from you to park, and the only other option is to get out, move the cones, and park three miles away! Then came the long walk around the ground to the turnstiles, that meant missing the first couple of minutes of the game. Then the £12 to get in! I promised that we’d let the turnstile operator into the replay for just £7, but a sense of humour obviously doesn’t bother turning up at Squirrel Premier grounds. Pies? £4, though they do have something for us puffy vegetarians, so some credit to them for that. A cup of tea was also a relative bargain at just £1.50 (I wonder how many bags they put in their urn!). Changing ends at halftime seemed to cause a bit of consternation for the stewards, and I wasn’t allowed into the other end to take photos unless I had a pass from reception, for which I was required to walk all the way back round the ground to get my ID. And then the entertaining little episode with the stewards, as we all congregated in ‘Naughty Corner’. Gaskell was adjudged to have brought down one of their players, which ended up with a bit of fun on the pitch, with the standard vocal contributions from the assembled Rammy fans. Johnno was doing that thing where he puts his arms out wide, and Jocker was running along the touchline to tell the linesman about his dubious parentage. George’s booming voice joined in from row G, with a selection of Andys chipping in from the back row of the stand. Pretty standard stuff, if the truth be told. The Squirrel Premier equivalent of a baton charge ensued, with four stewards being sent over to the ‘Naughty Corner’, to make sure that Little Katie didn’t upset the linesman by standing too close, or that Jocker didn’t vault the barrier in nobbut his underpants (or whatever they were expecting him to do). In an otherwise disappointing second-half, the reactions of the four (and occasionally six) stewards to a handful of friendly Lancashire women, old boys and kids was a definite highlight, and almost worth the £12 we had to stump up to pay for them to come along. Oh thank heavens tonight we get back to some proper football, where you’re allowed to stand up, ‘interact’ with the officials, and generally enjoy being a part of stuff. My days of watching footy as though it’s on the telly are well and truly over!
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
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
Right-back Kelvin Lomax
Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Right-back Dan Warrender
Left-back Owen Roberts Centre-Back Billy Priestley
Midfielder Tom Toth Midfield Joel Pilkington
Midfielder Grant Spencer Midfielder Phil Edghill
Midfielder Gary Stopforth Left-wing Phil Dean
Right-wing Dom Smalley Striker Tom Brookes
Striker Jon Robinson Striker Lee Gaskell
Striker Jordan Hulme Striker Matty Warburton
Gary Stopforth in action against Worcester City on Sunday
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Kelvin LOMAX Danny WARRENDER Owen ROBERTS Billy PRIESTLEY Gary STOPFORTH Dominic SMALLEY Grant SPENCER Jon ROBINSON Phil DEAN Lee GASKELL Tom BROOKS Phil EDGHILL Joel PILKINGTON Jordan HULME Tom TOTH Matthew PRICKETT Andy DAWSON
Manager: Stephen WILKES
Sean DAVIS Owen DEAKIN-RICKARD Tom BRADLEY Keiran FLETCHER Jack OVERSON Sam MORRIS Mark SHARPLES Martin PARKES Ben ALLEN Keiron PICKUP Edward LOCKETT Max JONES Keiran BRITON Sam MENELACH Ryan BRETON Steven CUNNINGHAM Elliot DUNN Spencer JORDAN Martin TRICKETT Jack COOK Lewis JORDAN
Referee: Kelvin Sarsfield (Burnley) Assistants: William Slinger (Rossendale), Stephen Howard (Prestwich) Next home game: Rammy v Burscough, 3pm Saturday 23rd November