22 Ramsbottom United v Prescot Cables

rammy news V PRESCOT CABLES 28.01.14

TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium tonight for the game against our old foes from Merseyside.

I remember the night of the original fixture! As I came down to the ground, I drove through puddles that seemed to be turning into lakes. Yet at 6 o’clock everything was fine.

That deluge left the referee with no option other than to call the game off, which, although disappointing was the correct decision.

So, tonight, we try again, although, and I hope I am wrong, the weather could well again cause us problems.

It really has been a wet (although, mercifully, snow-free) winter, resulting in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup Semi-Final falling victim. It should have taken place here last Tuesday, but I came down and saw the state of the pitch, and with forecasts of heavy rain to follow, it left us with little choice but to call the game off.

The Lancashire FA have decided to move the tie elsewhere, as we still have a couple of home postponed games to fit in, and the weather seems to be gearing up for further rain in the weeks ahead.

So back to tonight.

Prescot Cables may not be enjoying the best run of form, whilst we most definitely are, but as we all know, any team from the Merseyside area are always worth treating with respect.

Whilst our form is excellent, every game starts at 0-0, with both sides in with a shout of the points.

It would be churlish to ignore our current form. Since that debatable penalty decision at Bamber Bridge, the lads have been going goal crazy.

Twenty-four of them, in fact, in the last five games, have certainly provided the fans with great entertainment and value for money.

The most comprehensive, of course, was the 8-0 thrashing of Radcliffe Borough.

How sad to see our neighbours in such dire straits. Whilst always wanting to grab the three points from them, their current predicament is not one to smile about.

I’ve seen the Boro many times over the years. I was part of the record Stainton Park crowd when they played Caernarfon Town back in the 1980’s, and was also present at Gigg lane when they took on York City in the FA Cup. They are having some tough times, but football being what it is, those times will come good again.

We certainly don’t want to lose the two derbies each season, so here’s hoping they manage to avoid the dreaded bottom two places.

As for the Rams, we’ll just keep on going and see where the season takes us.

Hopefully, it will be more of the same tonight!

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

EDITORIAL - FROM THE DUGOUT

Hello everyone. After a trying encounter in very testing conditions the boys are overall in good shape and have come through markedly well. Following the Clitheroe FC game which was played on a very questionable pitch and at times in very difficult weather conditions we have a couple of sore bodies and niggles but nothing of note which will keep players out.

Danny Warrander has returned from his suspension over the Christmas break but will unfortunately be unavailable for the next two fixtures after picking up a further two match ban in punishment from the Kendal FC game. Billy Priestley has recovered fully from the dead leg he picked up against Dan Warrender - naughty boy Wakefield and Grant Spencer has also recovered from his dead leg he got against Radcliffe.

After speaking to Dominic Smalley at the Clitheroe FC game he was confident of returning to training in the next two weeks and be eligible for selection shortly after this. Ashley Reece will have to return to America this weekend to finish his education and we look forward to him returning during his next holidays. Lewis (unsure about his surname) has now co pelted his loan move and returned to his club which means we have returned to our original squad with the edition of Chris Denham.

The mood around the squad is very confident and positive that we will be where we want to be come the end of the season. We feel that we are in a good position and have our destiny in our hands which should allow us to reach the playoffs this season. Onwards and upwards.

On a different note as I will be leaving to have my baby we are currently looking for a physiotherapist or sports therapist to take over for the end of the season ongoing.

If anyone is interested then feel free to find me on match days or ask any of the playing staff.

Thank you.

- Katy

Well, the run is still going. One defeat in 19 league games is a fantastic run and without having stats to hand it has got to be one of the best runs the club has ever been on. To be honest it is exactly what we needed after the first five winless games. If somebody would have said at the end of August that we where about to start a run of one defeat in four and a half months if have said you needed help, but it's what the lads have done and have done it in style.

For me the Clitheroe performance on Saturday was one of our best, not because we where fantastic with the ball but because of our work rate, desire, discipline and resilience once again. We are now showing we are not just a team who plays the game well but also coming back from behind to win. The lads celebration after Billy scored the third goal showed what it meant to them, they know the rewards that are on offer at the season but at the minute we are just chalking wins off one at a time.

We also scored our 100th goal of the season on Saturday when Spenno netted the fourth, that is some going and when you consider that we've had no Robbo for a lot of the season as well it just goes to show how dangerous we are from all over the park. Talking of Robbo, he looks as if he's going to need an op on his ankle and could be out for a number of months possibly the rest of the season. Dom is progressing slowly and we're hopeful that he will begin running over the next week or two. The bad news though is that of captain Andy Dawson, he has had the op on his knee and when the surgeon got in there he found a lot more damage than we initially though.

Unfortunately he will be out for the season and possible more so we just have to hope that Andy progresses well and we can see him in the shirt again.

jonno

today’s visitors

prescot cables

Prescot Football Club was formed in 1884 and the first organised game of Association Football ever played in Prescot took place against the second team of a local St Helens side, St Thomas. Prescot lost 3-1.

For the season 2004-05, Prescot found themselves playing at the highest level in their history. Due to a suitable finishing position, and the re-organisation of the football pyramid, Prescot took their place in the Unibond Premier Division. As a result of a team unable to fulfil their fixtures, and after the controversial intervention of the FA, Cables were elevated to 5th position in the league. Cables had the opportunity to gain promotion to the Conference North, however, defeat at Workington in the first play-off game ended that dream - for now !

For the season 2005-06, it was a case of consolidation with a new football committee being formed from the Supporters Club. The previous football club, Prescot Cables, was transferred over to another organisation, namely Prescot Football Club Ltd (although trading as Prescot Cables Football Club).The club produced another mid-table finish in the following season to avoid becoming involved in another non-league ‘shake-up’ that saw two Unibond First Divisions being created for the 2007/08 season.

On the final game of the 2007/08 campaign, Prescot was 15 minutes from relegation. Two late goals secured a win at Lincoln United and survival. Due to the tightness of points and goal difference, Cables eventually finished in 13th place !

Shortly after the season’s end, the ground was purchased by Triman Developments Ltd from Mr Mercer’s company (the former Chairman of the club, Prescot Cables AFC). The current football club are working on ground improvements in order to provide the team and supporters with an opportunity to move forward.

A dreadful 2008/09 season saw Prescot propping up the Premier Division. Manager Andy Gray departed for Burscough.

He was replaced by Joe Gibiliru who embarked on a fresh start with player personnel. Joe managed to bring some

much needed stability to the club as the team finished in mid table. 2010 saw some of Cables regular performers leave for pastures new and several fresh faces arrive.

Gibiliru was relieved of his duties around the time of the big freeze in December 2010 and assistant Dave Ridler took over. He managed to secure Cables Evo-Stik league status for another season.

The 2011-12 season was a tale of five managers. Dave Ridler (who left for Australia in January 2012), Karl Bell, Karl Connolly all took charge for at least one match. Following the controversial departure of Shaun Reid to Warrington Town in March, Joe Gibiliru took over for the remaining games. The team and club re-grouped after the Reid fiasco to finish the season strongly to defy the odds and remain part of the Evo-Stik League.

David Powell was the new man in charge for the 2012-13 season. The playing surface and weather conditions forced many postponements. When matches finally began in earnest in the new year, Cables produced one of their most successful periods since the 2003 North West Counties campaign.

A scheme asking donators to sponsor a pitch square in order to afford the much needed renovation the pitch, took on a life of its own. In the end the scheme became over subscribed.

David Powell - Manager Took over a much depleted squad in the summer of 2012 after most of the previous seasons squad left for pastures new.

With the support of the loyal Club players rebuilt the squad throughout the season and guided the team to a most respectable 17th place finish. The UEFA B Licensed coach joined Cables from Ashton United, where he has spent the last two seasons as first team coach and Head of Player Development.

The appointment represents a return to a management role for Powell who previously guided Wigan based Ashton Athletic from the local leagues into the First then the Premier Division of the North West Counties League during a four year stint.

THIS WEEK’S MATCHES Monday 27th January (Liverpool Senior Cup): Bootle v Cammell Laird

Tuesday 28th January Rammy v Prescot Cables (West Riding Cup): Harrogate Town v Ossett Albion Wednesday 29th January (Liverpool Senior Cup): Burscough v Tranmere Rovers

Saturday 1st February Cammell Laird v Rammy Curzon Ashton v Ossett Town Farsley v Northwich Harrogate v Burscough Kendal v Darlington New Mills v Bamber Bridge Ossett Albion v Radcliffe Padiham v Warrington Prescot v Mossley Salford v Lancaster Wakefield v Clitheroe Monday 4th February Curzon Ashton v Cammell Laird Tuesday 5th February Rammy v Ossett Albion

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Handbags after Chris Denham was felled by Simon Garner

(WHAT’S THE STORY) Faster than a speeding bullet, running himself into the ground match after match and occasionally even popping up with a goal or two, Dominic Smalley has to be a manager’s dream player. We caught up with him last week and took the opportunity to ask him some of those burning questions...

“Can you tell us a bit about the injury you picked up against Salford City, and more importantly when you’ll be back in the team?”

“I landed badly on my leg, and felt my knee bend the wrong way, but managed to carry on playing. I didn’t think it was too bad at the time, but the physio thought it needed looking at. I went to hospital for an x-ray to check that nothing was broken, and thankfully it wasn’t.

They reckon it’s ligaments on the side and back of my knee, but it’s not nearly as bad as it could have been. I went for a run the other day and had to stop, so I need to give it a bit more of a rest. I hope to be back running in the next few days and want to be back in the team in a couple of weeks. I need to be, because I watched our last couple of matches and Grant Spencer’s doing a great job in my position. What makes it worse is that people desperately wanted me back before the Radcliffe game; now that we’ve won it 8-0 they keep telling me that they don’t want me anymore! I hope they’re joking.”

Never one for bad language, Dom does his famous bunny rabbit impression for the linesman

“How do Rammy players feel if you have to spend time on the bench with the team playing as it is currently?”

“I go mad if I’m on the bench, and I’m a really bad sulker. If I deserve to be there because I haven’t been playing too well then I get annoyed at myself, otherwise I sulk at Bernard and Jonno. I really really want to be playing.”

“We’ve seen you pop up at right-back a few times, as well as right-wing. Are you happy playing anywhere?”

“Really I’m an out-and-out winger, but I’d play anywhere as long as we’re winning, even in nets.”

“What path brought you through the ranks of football to end up where you are at Rammy?”

“I started really late with football. I used to go and watch my brother all the time, and it was only about year seven that I decided I wanted to give it a go. I tried for the school team but didn’t get in, so I decided I needed to do some work to get properly fit, and managed to get myself in a Sunday team. As my fitness improved I finally got into the school team, and then got a place at Atherton LR with Glenn Moses where I stayed for a year and a half.

“If the managers continue to pick me then I know I’m doing the right thing.”

DOMINIC SMALLEY ?

“out-and-outReally wiI’nmger,an

but I’d play anywhere as long as we’re winning, even in nets. ,,

“keep Leah’my clsothtoesld onme andto leave the getting naked to Jordan. ,,

“I played against Rammy for LR just over four years ago, and after the match Bernard and Jonno put a seven day request in for me. I was enjoying my football and wasn’t keen on moving - particularly as LR had a Goldline Final coming up at the Reebok - but I realised that the move would be good for me, and decided to give Rammy a go. Four years later and here we are!”

“What’s your brother up to nowadays?”

“He’s been round the block a few times now, playing at Oldham, Chesterfield, Rochdale, Bradford and now he’s at League Two side Oxford United. Unlike me he gets injured quite easily, but he’s already scored seven goals in the ten games he’s played this season, so he’s doing well.”

“How do you feel about the support you get at Rammy? Do people have a go or is everyone really supportive?”

“A lot of the players do get stick but I don’t get anything but support. I think that people see that I give everything I’ve got and always run myself into the ground. Running around like a lunatic makes fans warm to you, and the managers seem to think I’m doing the right thing, which is great. When I hear the fans shouting for me to run at players it’s a real help. I’d like to score more goals for everyone, and last season was a big learning curve for me at this new level. Hopefully I can carry it on and get better and better.”

The sizeable Rammy army cheers Dom on to another goal at Stocksbridge

“Tell us what you get up to off the pitch - what do you do for a living, and are you happily hitched?”

“I’m a carer for a lad with cerebral palsy. He lives in Radcliffe, right near the footy ground, and he’s the same age as me. It’s a really good job because it’s just like spending a load of time with your best mate. He comes to Rammy now and again to watch me play, though he’s not a huge fan of football.

“I’m not married yet, but I’ve been seeing my girlfriend Leah for six and a half years after been set up by a friend. I think she wants me to propose and has told me that she’s ring size J I think that’s quite a big hint!”

“We’ve been watching your twitter thingie recently, and The Life of Dom provides a lot of entertainment. After the Blyth game did you manage to keep your kit on, and what’s this about love letters from your mum?”

“I did keep my kit on. I got in a bit of trouble for those tweets - Leah’s told me to keep my clothes on and leave the getting naked to Jordan.

“My mum has told me she’s really embarassed and I’ve to stop tweeting about the notes.

When we play away I park my car near my mum’s house and Glenn picks me up. When I get back she’s normally left me a packet of sweets or a note on the windscreen saying how much she loves me. My mum’s lovely!”

Dom setting up Wiz’s goal at Mossley

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 Sat 7th Dec Tues 10th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec 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 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 A H H A H A H A H A A H 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 Curzon Ashton Chorley Lancs Trophy WAKEFIELD Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe PRESCOT CABLES Cammell Laird OSSETT ALBION Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY Padiham Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE

RES ATT STARTING ELEVEN 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 4-1 7-1 4-1 3-2 2-2 0-2 3-1 1-2 5-2 4-3 3-1 8-0 4-2

254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64 69 355 124 298 899 292 464 341 106 229 192 167 233 301 181 248 341 176 371 344 373

Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Chadwick Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton

Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender # Hulme + Warrender Warrender Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Warrender Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax + Lomax Toth Lomax Dean Dean Lomax Toth Lomax Lomax Lomax Fitzgerald * Hulme 1 Hulme 1 Hulme

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 Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Roberts Roberts # Roberts Roberts 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 Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth + 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 Warburton * Warrender 2 Warrender Lomax Warrender # Edghill + Toth Warrender 1 Warrender Lacy Lacy 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 1 Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley 1 Priestley 1

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 Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Spencer 1 + Spencer Spencer 1 Spencer 1

Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer Toth Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer + Hulme # Spencer Pilkington Pilkington 1 + Robinson 2 + Robinson + Spencer Spencer Spencer * 1 Spencer + Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington

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 + Gaskell 1 * Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Brooks * Gaskell + Gaskell * Gaskell 2 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 2 # Gaskell

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 + Hulme 3 Hulme # Hulme * Hulme 2 Pilkington Hulme # Green # 1 Green Green + Green 1 Green + Denham Denham 2

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 Spencer Spencer 2 Spencer 1 Spencer # Dean + Dean Dean Dean Dean 2 Dean # Dean # Dean 3 Dean *

SUBSTITUTES Drew + Warburton Warburton * Edghill * Pilkington * Bradbury Toth * Roberts + Flannery # Hulme # + Pilkington + Edghill + Brooks * 1 Edghill + Edghill * Edghill + Dean Hulme 1 + Toth * Toth Toth Toth Smalley * Toth Warrender *1 Toth Toth # Toth # Toth Warburton + Warrender Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth

Smalley * Smalley * Brooks # Morley Bradbury # 1 Edghill Prickett Flannery * Morley Brooks * 2 Brooks * Brooks * Hulme + Gaskell * Gaskell + Pilkington * Smalley + Pilkington Gaskell + Brooks * Johnson Robinson * Spencer # Hulme * Gaskell + Robinson * Pilkington + Pilkington + Brooks Bradbury Edghill * Pilkington + Brooks + Brooks Reece # Fitzgerald Fitzgerald

Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth Toth # Toth Priestley * Toth # Prickett # Hulme + Brooks Pilkington + Gaskell + Brooks + Smith # Brooks + Brooks * Brooks Robinson + Smith # Brooks + 1 Edghill Robinson * Hulme * Firzgerald Lacy * Reece

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 Dean 1 # Warburton Johnson Hulme # Gaskell * Johnson # Brooks * Spencer 1 # Denham 1 + Denham 1 + Reece + Morley

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 Edghill Chadwick Bradbury Morley Edghill Chadwick Chadwick Johnson Edghill Reece # Johnson Green # Green *

2-4

great win

agricultural opposition

Shawbridge 25th January 2014 Att: 373 Rammy Goals: Denham(14,53) Priestley(82) Spencer(90) Clitheroe Goals: McNamara(13) Coote(48)

On a day when many other games were postponed, credit must be due to Clitheroe for ensuring this game went ahead, despite the horrendous conditions.

With Bury’s game at nearby Accrington Stanley called off 40 minutes before kick-off, the usually healthy Rams following was boosted by a number of Shakers fans who were treated to an enthralling game both hindered and helped by the seasonal elements.

The visitors had to twice come from behind before their work ethic finally clinched another three points as their surge into the play-offs continued.

Battling the elements as well as the heavy surface, the Rams almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute when a free-kick from Owen Roberts found the head of Billy Priestley, but the home side saw the post come to their aid, before they, themselves, opened the scoring just five minutes later.

A fine flowing move down the right eventually saw the ball swept out to the unmarked Matt McNamara on the left hand side of the penalty area, and he placed his shot past the exposed frame of Rams keeper Grant Shenton.

The joy was short-lived, however, for within 90 seconds the scores were levelled. A Grant Spencer free-kick from the right sailed over a crowded penalty area for Jordan Hulme to plant it back into the middle.

A half-clearance fell to Chris Denham, and he blasted it home through a ruck of bodies, from 15 yards.

The remainder of the first half saw the ball swing from team to team in the middle of the park, as both sides were struggling to play any sort of decent football.

The closest either came to adding to the score was when United’s Lee Gaskell weaved his way along the edge of the penalty area before finding space to fire goal-wards but saw his shot missed the target by inches.

The second half, however, was much more entertaining, and warmed up the large crowd on a day when hot drinks would have been the only other option.

Both sides went out to give one hundred per cent, with tackles flying in from all directions, leading to seven yellow cards, and the dismissal of one of Clitheroe’s coaching staff.

A high tempo forty-five minutes ensued, which had the result in doubt right until time added on.

Clitheroe struck an early blow when Paul Coote latched on to a through ball before firing past Shenton, who would have been disappointed that he failed to divert the ball for a corner.

This merely fired up the visitors, and five minutes later, on 53 minutes, parity was once again restored. Having headed a Phil Dean cross a couple of feet wide just before, another through ball found Denham, and he made no mistake as he claimed his, and the Rams, second of the game.

Within sixty seconds, Jordan Hulme was mightily unlucky as he almost put the Rams in front. Gathering the ball just inside the Clitheroe half, he powered his way past four challenges before dinking the ball past Ben Proctor in goal, but had to look on as the heavy pitch allowed time for a defender to scoop the ball off the line and deny him what would have been one of the goals of the season.

Roberts was inches wide from a free-kick as the visitors upped the pressure, and somehow the home goal remained intact in an almighty goalmouth scramble which eventually saw the ball cleared by a relieved defence.

Denham should have claimed his hat-trick on 72 minutes when played in by Darren Green, as he only had the keeper to beat, but chose to take the ball sidewards and eventually played himself out of position and the danger was cleared.

The visitors were well on top by this stage, and the home goal led a charmed life as first a Spencer free-kick was turned over by Proctor, who was then on hand to gather a Hulme header following a Denham cross.

The ever-dangerous Denham saw his shot deflected for a corner, but from the resultant kick, on 82 minutes, the pressure finally paid off.

Priestley held his head in his hands as his closerange shot was hacked off the line, but moments later, the half-clearance saw the ball returned into the six yard box, and as the attackers out-numbered the defenders, Priestley managed to stab the ball home much to his and his team-mates delight.

It was no more than the visitors deserved, and with the game going into time added on, the game was made safe.

Spencer was up-ended as he raced into the penalty area, and he dusted himself down before sending Proctor the wrong way with his spot-kick to make the final score 4-2.

The Rams have now scored 24 goals in their last five league matches, as the entertainment value continues to attract more and more people, both home and away. The club is the second best supported in the Division, with only former Football League side Darlington attracting more fans.

2-4

Shawbridge 25th January 2014 Att: 373 Rammy Goals: Denham(14,53) Priestley(82) Spencer(90) Clitheroe Goals: McNamara(13) Coote(48)

the derby massacre

rammy v radcliffe 8-0

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 18th January 2014 Att: 344 Rammy Goals: Spencer (6), Gaskell (16,27), Hulme (33) Dean (43,89,90), Priestley (51)

rammy v radcliffe

the derby massacre

Ramsbottom United registered their biggest win since December 2006 (when they defeated Atherton LR 9-1) with a scintillating display that pushed aside local rivals Radcliffe Borough in emphatic style.

Coming into this game, both sides had experienced vastly opposite runs of form. The Rams had tasted defeat just once in seventeen league games whilst the Boro had won just one of the last ten.

Derby games rarely rely upon the formbook, but this one certainly did, as the home side totally outplayed their dejected visitors.

Chris Denham had come very close to opening the scoring after just five minutes, when his header from a Grant Spencer cross sailed inches over the bar, but within sixty seconds, the roles were reversed.

Denham sent an inch-perfect through ball that split the Boro defence, leaving Spencer to gallop goalwards before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Chris Cheetham in goal.

Ten minutes later the hosts doubled the advantage.

A right wing corner from Spencer was partly cleared out to the left, but Jordan Hulme returned the ball for Lee Gaskell to nod home from close range.

On 19 minutes, Boro had a remarkable quadruple escape. Cheetham was at full-stretch to deny a free-kick from Spencer that was about to nestle in the net by the foot of the post, and as the ball fell back for the winger, he saw the keeper tip his shot onto the bar and over for a corner. From the resultant kick, Billy Priestley’s header rebounded off the post, and Danny Warrender could only hook the rebound over the top.

In a rare foray up the other end of the field, Grant Shenton did well to deny Mat Lamdregan from close range, before the play switched back to the Radcliffe half. A great ball from Gary Stopforth sent Chris Denham scurrying for goal, but a combination of keeper and defender thwarted the newcomer.

A poor clearance from Cheetham fell to the feet of Phil Dean. He looked up to see Spencer charging in down the right, but the custodian just managed to scramble back and snatch the ball off his toes.

On 26 minutes it was 3-0.

Another fine ball from man-of-the-match Spencer found Denham. He saw his effort blocked but the ball sailed into the air allowing Gaskell the time and space to nod home from close range.

Seven minutes later, and hopes the Boro had were extinguished by a fourth goal for the Rams.

Spencer, on the left, spotted Hulme over the far side, and his cross sailed over Cheetham and Hulme had the simplest of tasks to head the ball home.

Owen Roberts and Dean both tried their luck from 25 yards as the bombardment of the Radcliffe goal never eased up.

Three minutes from the break, a long ball out from Shenton found Dean in acres of space on the left. He chased the ball down and raced into the area before giving Cheetham no chance from 15 yards.

The one-way traffic continued after the break, and seven minutes in it was 6-0.

Spencer, again, was the provider, as his corner was met by Priestley, who planted a firm header into the net from ten yards out.

A fine run by Dean, saw Denham continue the attack, and his low cross from the right found a diving Gaskell’s head, but he could only flick the ball onto the bar, whilst Stopforth sent the rebound inches over the bar.

Denham should have added another when he broke through with only the keeper to beat, but he chose to blast the ball instead of placing it, and Cheetham’s body prevented a seventh.

On 65 minutes, what would have been the cheekiest goal of the season, was inches away from reality.

A free-kick, 15 yards inside the Rams half was taken quickly by keeper Shenton, and his long punt beat Cheetham, but cleared the bar by a couple of feet.

Joel Pilkington saw his shot veer the wrong side of the post, whilst substitute Ashley Reece planted a header just too high from fellow-sub Darren Green’s cross.

When it looked as though the Rams were going to declare at six, two late goals gave the score-line an even more slanted look.

Denham cut in from the right and placed his low angled shot past the keeper, but as it was arching past the far post, Dean came roaring in to hammer it home from a yard out.

Then, in time added on, Dean snatched at a loose ball in the area to grab his hat-trick and send a poor Boro side home on the end of an emphatic 8-0 defeat.

The Rams are now the highest scorers in the Division with 68 goals from 24 games, and once again they attracted a crowd of well over 300 down to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

High value entertainment appears to be almost guaranteed at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium these days.

EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB

The massed hoards of Rammy fans who made the short trip to Clitheroe were treated to just about everything a local derby could ever ask for. The weather alternated between heavy hail showers and glorious sunshine, with an evil wind whipping around the ground; all combining to give the afternoon a real muddy Lancashire feel. With Accrington’s game against Bury being called off, we had a slack handful of exhuberantly drunk Bury fans joining us shortly after kick-off to add a bit of vocal support behind the goal - a few of them were even heard to say that it’s the best away day they can ever remember (poor buggers)! Chuck in a really agricultural opposition team that insisted on trying to nobble us at every opportunity (a whole team playing just like their manager Simon Garner), and you’ve got a recipe for a real humdinger! Even five police turned up after the Clitheroe stewards got a bit frightened by the Bury fans and gave them a call - pretty unnecessary I thought as there was only one incursion onto the pitch during half-time and even he got off when the p.a. announcer asked him politely!

Behind the top goal we had a few thirteen-year-old Clitheroe lads who were singing all the way through and gave Denham a really easy target for his second goal celebration. Fantastic pie and peas, as ever at Clitheroe, and if you chuck in coming from behind twice, with the ever-exhuberant Billy Priestley banging in the third and a classic Spencer dive for the fourth then you’ve got a truly memorable away trip!

I know we’ve got a couple of long trips coming up, but like I said in the last programme, if you are able to get yourself to a Rammy away match then I really do thoroughly recommend it. It’s quite a feeling when the normal crowd size is doubled by a huge number of people wearing Rammy hats, scarves etc; particularly when we bag the winner with just eight minutes remaining and the whole place goes nuts!

Another toughy today, followed by a trip to Cammell Laird on Saturday - both teams who played a big part in us missing out on the play-offs last season. The defeat at Skem will live long in the memory, but failing to bag the points on the Tuesday night trips to Prescot and the Wirral were the real reason it went wrong last time around. I have a sneaking suspicion that with our current form things will be very different this time around. Fingers crossed we can extend that lengthening unbeaten run tonight.

Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY

Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Billy PRIESTLEY Lewis LACY Grant SPENCER Joel PILKINGTON Lee GASKELL Chris DENHAM Phil DEAN Jordan HULME Jon ROBINSON Tom TOTH Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY Darren GREEN Ashley REECE Andrew FITZGERALD

Manager: David POWELL

Daniel LOWTON Antony SHINKS Dave DEMPSEY Ged MURPHY Lewis COYLE Joseph EVANS James McCULLOCH Philip BANNISTER Isaac KUSALOKA Connor McCARTHY Paul CLIFF Pavel PINTO-VIEIRA Robert GILROY Max POUNCEY Jamie WATKINSON Ben MORROW

Referee: Nicholas Gibbons (Oldham) Assistants: Derek Brannick (Oldham), Jonathan Carter (Ilkley) Next home game: Tuesday 4th February 7:45pm, Rammy v Ossett Albion