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H KING’S LYNN TOWN A Workington A Rushall Olympic H NANTWICH TOWN A FC United of Manchester H MARINE H STAMFORD A Whitby Town A Buxton FAC 1Q H WITTON ALBION A Ilkeston H CURZON ASHTON A Frickley Athletic A Trafford H BELPER TOWN H BUXTON H WHITBY TOWN A Marine A Whitby Town FAT 1Q H WORKINGTON A Halesowen Town H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup A Nantwich FAT 2Q H GRANTHAM TOWN H BURSCOUGH Lg Cup A Banbury United A Salford City Lg Cup A Matlock Town A Atherton Collieries Lancs H STOCKPORT COUNTY A King’s Lynn Town H SKELMERSDALE A Nantwich Town H NORTHWICH VIC LgCup H HARROGATE RA LgCup A Stamford H RUSHALL OLYMPIC A Witton Albion A Blyth Spartans H ILKESTON A Skelmersdale United A Stourbridge H STOURBRIDGE A Buxton H BLYTH SPARTANS A Belper H BARWELL A Grantham Town H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H FARSLEY LgCup SemiFinal H HALESOWEN TOWN H ASHTON UNITED A Curzon Ashton A Barwell H FRICKLEY ATHLETIC H TRAFFORD H MATLOCK TOWN
2-3 0-1 4-2 1-4 1-3 3-2 3-1 0-2 2-3 3-2 4-2 1-1 2-4 1-0 4-2 2-0 4-0 3-1 2-1 1-1 0-2 3-0 3-1 3-1 5-1 3-0 3-1 1-1 1-2 3-0 1-2 0-3 2-3 3-1 3-1 1-1 2-3 1-2 0-2 1-2 0-3 2-1 0-1 1-1 3-3 2-1 0-1 1-0 0-2
322 Shenton 415 Shenton 161 Shenton 365 Shenton 1917 Shenton 250 Shenton 357 Shenton 265 Shenton 261 Shenton 231 Shenton 422 Shenton 309 Shenton 215 Shenton 294 Shenton 371 Shenton 470 Shenton 237 Shenton 366 Shenton 233 Shenton 250 Shenton 358 Shenton 132 Shenton 238 Shenton 351 Shenton 140 Shenton 235 Shenton 189 Shenton 257 Shenton 120 Shenton 907 Shenton 510 Shenton 372 Shenton 285 Shenton 158 Shenton 131 Shenton 319 Shenton 223 Shenton 349 Shenton 364 Shenton 290 Shenton 229 Shenton 230 Shenton 261 Shenton 197 Shenton 234 Shenton 221 Shenton 182 Shenton 191 Shenton 2104 Shenton
Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Grayson * Pilkington Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Williams Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Hulme Grayson Slaven Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop Harrop
Pugh Pugh Pugh Abadaki * Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington # Pilkington Pugh Pugh Grayson + Pugh Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Piacentile 1 Pugh Dean Pugh Grayson Grayson + Grayson Grayson Grayson Pugh Grayson Grayson Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Pugh Neville Neville Neville Neville Neville Neville Neville Neville *
Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Spencer 1 Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Spencer 1 Stopforth Stopforth Slaven Stopforth + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Harrop Kuba-Kuba Harrop Burke Harrop Slaven Burke + Edghill + Edghill Edghill + Burke Burke Burke # Burke # Bennett Bennett
Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson 1 Howson 1 Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson 2 Howson Howson Howson Robinson + Howson Howson Howson 1 Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Krou Jones Frost Heron Frost + Robinson Robinson Frost Frost Frost Ayres Ayres 1 Ayres Ayres Ayres Ayres
Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warrender Krou Warrender Warrender Warrender + Krou 1 Krou 1 Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Robinson Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou Krou 1 Krou Krou Pugh Krou Krou Krou Krou Jones Pugh 1 Pugh Jones Jones # Harrop Jones Neville Ayres Ayres Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer Bowyer
Hulm Hulm Hulm Hulm Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Mot Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Aba Rob Aba Will Will Aba Will Aba Will Will Will Aba Aba Aba Aba Laz Broo Aba Aba Aba Aba Will Aba Aba Will Will Broo Broo Broo Kub
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Burton Burton Burton Burton Slaven Burton * Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton 1 Stopforth Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Pilkington * Burton Burton Burton Williams Burton Burton Kuba-Kuba Burton * Burton + Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton Bennett +1 Bennett Rother + Rother 1 Burke Burke Rother * Rother # Rother 1 # Rother Bennett * Kuba-Kuba Kuba-Kuba Kuba-Kuba Rother # Rother #
Gaskell Gaskell Robinson 1# Robinson 1 Robinson * Slaven 1 Slaven * Slaven + Krou Mota # Pilkington Pilkington Spencer Mota + Hulme # Hulme Hulme 1# Hulme Hulme + Hulme 1 Hulme Gaskell 1 Hulme # Hulme 1 Hulme 1 * Robinson 1 Hulme 1 Hulme Robinson # Hulme Hulme Hulme Williams # Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Mukendi 1 Mukendi Mukendi # Robinson 1* Mukendi Mukendi + Robinson + Robinson +
Robinson 1* Robinson + Pilkington Pilkington Hulme 1# Hulme 1 Hulme 1# Krou Hulme Hulme 2 Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer + Spencer # Spencer * Spencer # Spencer 1 Spencer * Gaskell * Mota # Spencer 1+ Spencer + Robinson Dean 1 Robinson * Spencer * Brooks Spencer Spencer 1 Spencer + Robinson 1 Brooks *1 Brooks # Baguley # Baguley # Rother 1 Rother * Baguley Baguley Baguley Bennett # Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell + Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell
Dean + Pilkington Dean # Pilkington * Dean 2 Abadaki * Dean Williams Dean Williams + Dean # Williams # Dean 1 Williams + Dean Mota + Dean * Mota * Dean + Pugh Williams 1# Dean + Williams + Burton + Robinson 1# Williams * Spencer # Robinson 1# Dean 2 Williams * Dean 1 + Williams + Dean 1 Williams * Dean + Williams + Dean Williams Dean # Pilkington Pilkington + Dean + Dean 1 Howson + Dean 1 Abadaki * Dean Abadaki Spencer 1 Pugh Abadaki # Grayson Spencer 2 Pugh * Dean + Abadaki Abadaki + Dean * Dean Robinson + Dean Williams * Dean Williams * Spencer * Dean 1 + Lazenbury # Hartley * McDermott 1* Hartley 1+ McDermott Burke * McDermott + Hartley + McDermott * Edghill # Brooks Edghill Heron 1 Edghill Abadaki Heron McDermott + Hartley McDermott Gaskell # Heron Hartley + McDermott 1 Brooks + McDermott 1 Heron * McDermott * Heron * Heron Edghill Heron Abadaki *
Slaven Abadaki + Slaven + Abadaki Slaven + Ahmadi # Slaven Cook * Krou * Cook # Robinson * Cook + Robinson # Cook Cook Williams Williams + Pugh # Williams # Irwin Mota # Irwin Dean * Mota Cook + Dean # Williams + Slaven Mota Slaven Mota * Slaven Mota Gaskell + Mota # Gaskell Mota Gaskell # Williams # Mota Abadaki # Spencer * Piacentile Burton * Gaskell + Robinson # Gaskell + Robinson 1* Burton Stopforth Kuba-Kuba * Slaven + Slaven Piacentile Kuba-Kuba* Robinson + Spencer +1 Hulme # Abadaki * Morley Kuba-Kuba Robinson + Brooks + Robinson Davies * Johnson Slaven +1 Dawson # Abadaki * Cliffe Abadaki 1+ Hartley # Brooks # Harrop * Brooks Krou + Hartley Heron * Hartley Brooks + Robinson Bowyer + Brooks * Slaven Brooks Kuba-Kuba Kuba-Kuba* Frost Hartley * Heron Bennett Rother + Williams Bennett # Kuba-Kuba1* Burke # Mukendi + Burke #
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Ahmadi * Cook Ahmadi # Cook Cook Williams Krou + Morley Morley Johnson Morley Johnson Morley Krou * Johnson Morley Johnson Morley Slaven * Cook + Slaven * Cook Robinson # Cook Morley Abadaki Pilkington Dean * Robinson 1+ Gaskell # Robinson # Pugh Robinson #1 Pugh Slaven * Piacentile Robinson + Pilkington * Gaskell + Robinson * Mota Piacentile Hulme # Mota Piacentile Kuba-Kuba Piacentile Dean * Johnson Piacentile Kuba-Kuba + Brooks Grayson Brooks Hartley Morley Kuba-Kuba Slaven Slaven Brooks # Slaven Morley Slaven # Morley Robinson Robinson # Smith Heron Lazenbury Lazenbury Frost Lazenbury * Grayson Slaven * Brooks # Bowyer # Williams * Edghill Edghill Edghill # Rother Mukendi + Hartley
Smith Slaven * Heron + Bowyer + Robinson # Bennett Robinson Robinson + Jones
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Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme 1+ Hulme Abadaki + Abadaki der Abadaki der Abadaki der + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki # Mota 1* Abadaki * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki 1 * Abadaki + on Abadaki 1 Abadaki # Abadaki + Robinson # Abadaki * Williams 1* Williams * Abadaki Williams # Abadaki Williams 1 Williams * Williams * Abadaki * Abadaki Abadaki + Abadaki Lazenbury + Brooks * Abadaki * # Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Williams Abadaki * Abadaki * r Williams + r Williams + r Brooks 1 * r Brooks r Brooks* r Kuba-Kuba
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Good evening everyone, and welcome back to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for yet another in our tightlypacked run of matches in this end of season dash. I’d like to extend a particularly warm welcome to our matchday officials and to everyone associated with Farsley, an excellent club that still leave many of us wondering how the heck we ended up a division above! e teamsheet on the back cover of the programme won’t really be too representative of tonight’s team, simply because so many of our players are cup-tied with other clubs. When you’re called on to replace almost the entire squad in early January, it’s always going to be difficult to bring in players who aren’t cup-tied elsewhere, but the players who are available tonight have already shown their mettle against big-spending Northwich and Harrogate Railway Athletic - teams that the lads managed to make look pretty ordinary. We have a decent squad now at Rammy, and I’m sure that the lads taking the pitch tonight will impress that upon everyone. Saturday was a real disappointment to me and Edgy. To get a record crowd of 2,104 at the Riverside is a great achievement, and we were delighted with the lovely Spring weather, but we felt that a few of the lads made the mistake of playing the occasion rather than the opposition. At the end of the day, whether you’re playing in front of 200 or 2000, this is still the Evostik Premier,
and it’s still necessary to give it 100% passion and commitment, which we felt was missing in some departments. It’s easy to get drawn in to watching the crowd, or start imagining that you’re playing Champions League football, but in a game which could quite easily have swung either way, we desperately needed the concentration and commitment. In the end the result came down to a nothing sort of penalty (even Margy agreed it wasn’t) and a lapse of concentration at the back, which left Rory Fallon with the simplest of headers for the second. Shents had just one other decent save to make in the whole game, so although it shows how far we’ve come, our inability to create a huge amount going forward was of concern. Words were said in the dressing room after the match, and we’re hoping for a lot more passion, commitment and concentration this evening and going forwards into Saturday. Due to the ridiculous schedule we have, I’ve needed to write this column ahead of Monday’s trip to Ashton United who currently lie well-placed in a promotion spot. With four teams (us included) on 48 points, just five clear of the relegation places, there is still a heck of a lot to play for in the league, as well as the exciting possibility of bagging ourselves a cup final spot against Shaun Reid’s Warrington Town. Enjoy the match, and please give the lads your 100% support this evening.
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tony cunningham and the wonderful world of non-league football Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. A special welcome to today’s match officials, and of course, our visitors, Farsley. SATURDAY It was quite a stressful time for all at the club to put on the game against FC United. Our initial hopes of running things as smoothly as we did against Stockport County were literally thrown back in our faces on the back of accusations of making money. at may have been a by-product, but was not the main reason. Fears of a crowd build-up with many still outside at kick-off time was the real motivation, however, after much discussions and detrimental comments, we decided to risk normal admission with the hope that queues did not result. Also, we were implored by FC United not to introduce segregation, and again, we listened and accepted the argument. Did it work? I think on the whole it did. Excepting the usual handful of idiots which are always expected on big occasions, the vast majority of the crowd behaved impeccably, and their attitude helped to overcome the actions of a few who obviously have still to buy into the ethos of nonleague football. e result was
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probably as most people would have expected, but the lads did not let themselves down. e crowd though, was way beyond my expectations. I’d reckoned on around 1200, so it shows what I know! To attract 2104 (the figure adjusted when we realised we hadn’t included the sponsors!), a record for the HWRS, was more than satisfying. Fears of a last minutes rush were averted when most people heeded the advice to arrive early. At kick-off time, more than 2000 were already in place, and the remaining stragglers were through the turnstiles within minutes. e whole occasion proved just how far we have come as a club over recent seasons, as we can now comfortably deal with such occasions and large attendances with much more confidence in the future. And a special “ank you” to all you Rammy fans for your help in making sure the afternoon went off without a hitch. I’m sure you, like me, would have been proud to see the ground looking as good as it did on the day. ON TO TONIGHT I write this before the Ashton United game, due to publishing deadlines, so am unable to comment on the events at Hurst Cross. However, tonight we welcome our old friends from over the hill, Farsley FC, for what could prove to be a highly entertaining game.
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David Kuba-Kuba bossing midfield, watched by a recordbreaking 2,104 people
Needless to say, a victory is essential as far as both teams are concerned. Warrington Town, who surprisingly beat high-flying Ilkeston, apparently rather easily 3-0, in the other semi-final, await the winners of tonight’s clash. e date and venue of the Final has still to be arranged, but it looks as though it could be on, or around, the May Bank Holiday. As the Premier Division team, the odds will be on a victory for the Rams, but football doesn’t work like that – ask Ilkeston! From our point of view, we would love to progress through to the Final, despite the incredibly heavy schedule we face over the next three weeks. Our main aim, of course, is to remain in this League come the end of the season, but
after all the upheaval we have had to endure this campaign, a piece of silver-wear would be very welcome, and a just reward for Robbo and his new-look team for everything they have had to go through. Despite the set-backs, this season has seen us draw a record attendance to the ground, and we will finish the season with the highest ever average attendance in the club’s history. In years to come when we look back on this defining season, we may actually realise that it wasn’t quite the disaster we thought it was at the time. With the greatest of respect to our visitors, can I please ask the Rammy faithful to really get behind our lads tonight and cheer them on to a thoroughly deserved cup final! Enjoy you non-league football!
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route to the semis
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It was obvious from both the line ups and approach that there was much more at stake in this game than simple progression to the next stage of the league cup. ere has never been much love lost between these two clubs and there was no way that the Rams were going to allow their nouveau riche neighbours from North Manchester with their money fuelled ambitions any kind of bragging rights. is led to a feisty and close fought encounter that had an undercurrent of niggle, bad temper and latent aggression that was far from dampened by irresolute and inconsistent officiating. For all of their pretentions and really being no better than they ought to be Salford are a serious side with far from unrealistic aspirations for the season. e Rams took the lead on 11 minutes Jordan Hulme hooking in from a corner but despite some controlled play and having the majority of the ball thereafter failed to dominate. Salford hung in and just short of the half hour Nicky Platt seized on a loose cross field pass to hare away down the right and with Grant Shenton finding himself in no-mans' land present Danny Webber with the widest of open goals. e equaliser and the hope it provided to the hosts brought the simmering tensions to the surface; a few minutes later there was an unseemly melee in front of the dug outs involving all 22 players and most of the touchline staff resulting in the dismissal of Gareth Seddon for the reds and Antony Johnson all baby faced innocence sent to the stands.
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For the remaining hour if anything Salford played better with 10 than they had with 11 and the innumerate would not have realised that the Rams had a man advantage. e home team kept their shape in midfield, dominated at the back where Chris Lynch and Aaron Walters were exceptional and despite the numerical disadvantage often found themselves with a man over going forward. e Rams were content to sit deep and play on the break but too much of their play was imprecise and uncertain. Nonetheless chances were created Grant Spencer shooting narrowly wide after Osebi Abadaki skipped to the bye line and then Jordan Hulme finding himself crowded out after a forceful run into the box Eventually just past the hour the Rams got their noses in front for a second time Grant Spencer picking up a loose ball at the edge of the area and firing through a crowd of players into the bottom corner. ere is though nothing as dangerous as a team with nothing to lose. Almost immediately from the restart Sam Madely seized on the ball 25 yards out and sent in a looping shot which Grant Shenton did wonderfully well to claw away from under the bar. Salford continued to press but without being able to create another opening. At the other end the Rams spurned several chances on the break against a by then 2 man Salford defence before on the final whistle they finally found the killer pass to Grant Spencer who slotted home.
salford 1 - 3 rammy centre
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If this Doodson Cup first round match been a boxing match it would not have been stopped halfway through but never licensed in the first place. Such was the Ram's dominance throughout they barely seemed to notice that the visitors not only scored but had the temerity to actually take the lead after only 8 minuted - that goal being the product of generous refereeing which say Cedric Krou's old fashioned shoulder charge as a foul and a very well taken free kick by Nick Ryan into the top corner. But the route to Burscough's demolition had already been writ large by a searing run down the right flank by Osebi Abadaki the first of several , some almost the length of the field that left defenders in his wake. Burscough were unable to handle his pace and power and o potentially overwhelming contribution was spoiled only by difficulty in getting his head up at the moment of final delivery. It took less than 15 minutes for the Rams to equalise Alex Piancentile drivng in past a flat footed keeper from 25 yards. e Rams then continued an approach to penalty taking more suited to Twickenham before Abadaki twisted away from the tightest of positions on the touchline and induced a own goal from Ryan. For the remainder of the half Burscough clung to the ropes taking shot after shot and surviving at least a dozen corners until on the whistle one found Steve Howson to
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power in a header that squeezed in between goalkeeper and defender on the line With Steve Howson and Cedric Krou the only recognised defenders in the team and a free spirited desire to produce some re-imagined form of total football that had the full backs more intent on attack than defence it was hardly surprising that the visitors were able to find time and space to give Grant Shenton shot saving practice without ever really looking like scoring again. Just after the hour Jordan Hulme broke through and calmly slotted past a despaired Jack Cookson and then came the high point of the game Grant Spencer and Phil Dean exchanging an exquisite one -two to put Spencer in to finish with a chip over Cookson of bone china delicacy. e last 20 minutes were graced with Cedric Krou and Jon Robinson exchanging positions. If this was a considered stratagem for some future emergency it had all the cunning of a Baldrick plan. To the amused exasperation of all the elegant Frenchman who operates at the icy end of sang froid and is very quickly becoming a cult figure among the Riverside cognoscenti managed to get into any manner of scoring opportunities without quite managing to get head or foot to the ball. By the final whistle though such was the Rams control that many of a small crowd had drifted off home if not to sleep.
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rammy 5 - 1 burscough
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After 27 days without action e Rams finally managed to get out on the pitch, in what is looking like a fortunate hole in the bad weather, to start the second half of their season. e repercussions of the enforced lay-off, in terms of chronic fixture congestion are still to be felt but the clear and decisive break with the past it has provided may well be a foundation stone for the future. With 5 of the rebuilt squad cup tied any determinative assessment of its strength and potential would be be akin to paying attention to a Ray Winstone half time on line betting advert but there was sufficient in the performance from those who were on display against a team currently top of the Evostik North Division, albeit with their own absences, to offer realistic optimism for the future. e New Year's resolution for all should be to throw away backwards looking rose tinted glasses for that is all history now and the past is a very strange country.For all that for the first 15 minutes of the game there was a strange empty feeling on both pitch and terraces-- almost Hamlet without the ghost. at feeling was not helped by the visitors taking the lead after 9 minutes Godwin Abadaki forcing home at the far post after some weak defending down the Ram's right flank. It was inevitable that the Ram' would take some time to get going and for a while they were wandering around with the same prospect of finding a mate as a polar bear shipwrecked on the Antarctic but once Tom Brooks seized on Northwich defensive indecision in
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dealing with a hopeful high ball down the middle to fire home from the edge of the box things began to settle down and for the rest of the game the Rams were the better team. ey could count themselves unfortunate no to have gone into the half time break in front. Brooks darting diagonal runs offered promise but too often denied by the flag, Lee Gaskell flashing a delicious near post header marginally wide and on 45 minutes Kyle Harrop crashing a 30 yard drive onto the underside of the bar after a lightening break down the right by Osebi Abadaki. Ian Bennett was growing into a forceful and controlling presence in the middle and on the turn round e Rams took a firm grip on the game. On the hour a quick short free kick found Bennett in space on the edge of the box and his swerving shot into the top corner gave Dave Smith no chance. No doubt with the trip to Buxton in mind Bennett and Brooks were withdrawn shortly after and the loss of the Rams two most s influential players on the night l together with some tiring legs let Northwich back into the game. For the last 20 minutes the Rams were forced back but kept their shape , defensive composure and perhaps most crucially their feet in the tackle. e visitor's attempts at an equaliser were already petering out when a surpise snap shot from the corner of the box from Malachi Slaven dipped viciously in front of Smith and flew in under his body. e longest journey starts with a single step.
r
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rammy 3 - 1 northwich centre
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rammy 3 - 1 harrogate
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Apart from the result and some much needed game time the most significant outcome from a cold and gloomy night could well be the emergence of new signing Donal McDermott who only joined the club on the afternoon of the match. It was of little surprise that the 26 year old who has had football league experience at Huddersfield, Scunthorpe and most significantly Bournmouth and most recently helped Dundalk to a league title in Ireland should take a little time to adjust to his new surroundings. Even so in the hour he was on the pitch he brought all 3 moments of quality to a rather disjointed Rams performance first skipping past two defenders on the half hour and scoring neatly into the corner from the edge of the box, then 5 minutes later drawing the penalty converted neatly by Lee Pugh and finally on the half time whistle finding Lee Gaskell with the sweetest of diagonal passes only for the striker to be denied by some alert goalkeeping. Having established their two goal lead the Rams might have been expected to put the game to bed but for the most part they had failed to retain possession and it was that failing that allowed the visitors to keep a toe hold in the match Abu Sanogo scoring calmly following the loss of the ball in the midfield area. Harrogate Railways are only one in a long list of clubs in the Evostik facing harsh financial realities and have a young inexperienced squad. Nonetheless they were nothing less than resilient and as the Rams energy levels dropped away in the second half they began to dominate the game. e Rams were struggling to build any coherence and as the clock ticked to a mystifying 9:40, bearing in mind the second half had kicked off at 8:50, an equaliser from the visitors would have come as no surprise. However the Rams defence, well directed from the back by another debutant Callum Jones, who more than filled his self description of a no-nonsense centre half pest controller, managed to stand firm and as the referee finally found his watch Tom Hartlley neatly controlled a long ball and executed the neatest of lobs with the outside of his right foot to give the Rams a slightly flattering margin of victory.
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farsley afc another phoenix rising from the ashes Farsley AFC were formed in June 2010, following the demise of Farsley Celtic AFC who were disbanded the previous season. e original club was founded in 1908 by a group of local men from the village of Farsley, with their early years spent playing in leagues around the Leeds area. e Villagers, as they are affectionately known, purchased their current home the rostle Nest after the Second World War had ended, and played their first game at the new ground against Frickley Colliery. e start of the 1949/50 season saw Celtic step up a level to the Yorkshire League Division Two and they won the Championship two years later, gaining promotion to Division One. e end of the 1950’s saw the club crowned Yorkshire League Division One champions, but they were denied a further promotion due to failing ground regulations, with the same situation occurring ten years later. e Villages first success in the FA Cup came in 1974, when they reached the First Round Proper. ey met Football League side Tranmere Rovers, where they lost two nil in a tie played at Elland Road in front of a crowd of 11000 fans. In 1982 the Yorkshire and Midland Leagues merged to form the Northern Counties East League (NCEL), with Celtic placed in Division One North. It wasn’t long before the club showed its class, as they secured promotion to the NCEL Premier Division after winning the League title in 1985. Two years later
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Farsley Celtic were invited to join the Northern Premier League Division One, after they finished as runners-up in the NCEL Premier Division. ey initially struggled in the Northern Premier League, but by the end of the 1990’s they finished in the top six, three seasons in a row. After finishing third in 2004, Celtic were promoted to the Premier Division, but their stay was only short. Promotion to the Conference North was secured after a two one victory over North Ferriby United in the Play-Offs after extra-time. e Villages success did not stop in the 2006/07, as they reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the second time in their history. After holding Football league side MK Dons to a draw at home, they eventually lost a heated replay at the National Hockey Stadium, going down two nil. Farsley Celtic seemed to take heart from this and finished the season in the Play-Off places yet again. A last minute penalty from Simeon Bambrook saw them defeat Hinckley United four three in the Final, gaining them a second promotion in successive years and a place in the National Conference Premier Division. However, Celtic’s fortunes were to take a dramatic downturn as their stay in NonLeague’s top division only lasted one season and they returned to the Conference North. After two seasons in the second tier of NonLeague football and already having the Administrators called in at the beginning of
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Robbo heads goalwards during Rammy’s 2-1 defeat to Farsley back in 2012
“the league and cup double was secured in their first season as Farsley afc” although they have proved their pedigree in the Doodson Sports Cup having reached the Quarter-Finals in both 2013 and 2014, where last year they were knocked out by eventual finalists Skelmersdale United. is season, Farsley have flitted with the top five in Division One North, but poor form of late has seen them drop down to ninth place and ten points outside the PlayOff places. Yet gain they have achieved success in the Doodson Sports Cup, having knocked out Curzon Ashton four three on penalties after a two all draw,on route to the Semi-Finals. With promotion looking unlikely, the Villagers will certainly be looking to carry on their cup run. - words by Gareth Bird
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the season, Farsley Celtic AFC was finally wound-up in March 2010 due to financial problems. Farsley AFC was formed over the summer of 2010 and the new club were placed in the NCEL Premier Division. With many of the former players staying loyal to the club, the League and Cup double was secured in their first season, with Farsley taking their place in the Northern Premier Division One North. e Villages first season back in step four of the Non-League pyramid was almost as successful, with a top five finish gaining them a place in the Play-Offs. However, a three nil loss to Witton Albion meant the year finished on a disappointing note. e last two seasons have seen Farsley finish outside of the Play-Off places,
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Aiden Savory (Striker) Aged 27 Previous Clubs; Ossett Town, Bradford PA, Harrogate Town, Bunbury Forum Force & Goole. Another new signing for this season, who spent his early career playing in West Yorkshire, before a spell playing down under for Bunbury Forum Force. On his return from Australia, Savory returned for a second spell at Bradford Park Avenue, before Farsley snapped him up in the summer. A dangerous customer who has scored on no less than 14 occasions this season. Lewis Nightingale (Winger) Aged 24 Previous Clubs; Huddersfield Town, Bradford PA, Ossett Town, Curzon Ashton, Harrogate Railway & Mossley AFC. e former Huddersfield Town trainee is now in his second spell with the club, after previously being part of the 2010/11 NCEL Premier Division winning side. Having spent the last couple seasons at Mossley AFC, where he was named Fan’s Player of the Year last year, he returned to Farsley in June. Nightingale is a player of real talent who can supply his strikers with the ammunition to score.
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Spencer Harris (Central Defender) Aged 24 Previous Clubs; Huddersfield Town, Curzon Ashton, Ossett Town, Bradford PA, Buxton & Guiseley. Harris started his career in the youth set-up at Huddersfield Town and joined Farsley at the start of this season. is experienced defender has also spent time in Australia, where he played for both Balcatta and Floreat Athena. Spencer has also played at Conference North level during his time with Guiseley. He finally lured to the rostle Nest from Bradford Park Avenue at the third attempt by Neil Parsley.
a fresh-faced Phil Dean at Farsley in 2012, when we were still pinching ourselves about being in the Evostik North
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farsley afc route to the semis Scarborough 0 - 2 Farsley Farsley moved into the second round of the Doodson Sports Cup with a comprehensive victory away at Scarborough Athletic. On a cold evening by the coast it was Luke Porritt and Aiden Savory who grabbed the goals. Farsley were dominant in the first half which provided plenty of chances for the visitors. After just fourteen minutes Lewis Nightingale played a good cross in for James Riley who headed just over. Nightingale again crossed for top scorer Savory to head towards goal, but the attacker saw his effort well saved. Luke Porritt opened his account for the Villagers with a great solo goal. e winger, who is dual registered with Guiseley, made a great run through the middle, beating three or four Scarborough defenders, before beating the keeper to grab the opener. Farsley were enjoying a really good spell and it wasn't long before the second goal came along. Nightingale had an effort that went over the bar before Josh Grant, returning after injury, made his way down the left hand side. e Farsley number three then crossed the ball for Savory to score his tenth of the season. e chances didn't stop there for Farsley. Scarborough's keeper made a fine stop to deny Savory, before Nightingale put the rebound wide, and then Robbie O'Brien hit the ball over from distance. Nightingale had another effort before the break, but again the chance went over.
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In a quieter second half it was the hosts that had the first chance. After a mix up between Jake Lofthouse and the defence, the Farsley goalkeeper made a fantastic save to deny Scarborough a way back into the game. Farsley were still looking comfortable, and Nightingale was unlucky not to get on the end of a brilliant O'Brien cross. Farsley did well to play the game out with a few more chances, with Nightingale unlucky not to grab a third on two occasions. e visitors were looking comfortable and gave substitute appearances to Academy players Cody Cromack, Corben Pankhurst and Karl Exton in the last 15 minutes meaning that 7 of the 14 used players were 20 or under.
Farsley 2 - 2 Curzon Ashton (Farsley won 4-3 on penalties) With the Premier League taking centre stage while people around the country opened the second doors on their advent calendars, non-league action was on the table at rostle Nest where Farsley AFC took on Curzon Ashton in round two of the Doodson Sport Cup. Neither side managed to carve clear openings in the opening quarter of an hour but the first chance fell to Curzon when Luke Horrocks passed to Remeo Coley who's effort was well saved by Tom Taylor. Curzon then took the lead when Jonathan Hunt headed in at the near post. Farsley almost responded just before the half hour mark when O'Brien
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slipped in Adam Priestley who fired inches wide. Just moments later Nightingale rattled the cross bar with a curling free-kick from 25 yards out. Curzon doubled their lead on the hour mark when Taylor parried Simon Lakeland's free-kick straight to the feet of Remeo Coley who tapped home. Farsley almost got a goal back when a Kyle Hancock cross was headed wide by Adam Priestley. Farsley got back in the game when Michael Aspin delivered a cross from deep, and Kyle Hancock headed home. With less than ten minutes remaining Farsley pulled off the comeback when Adam Priestley nipped in behind the defence and slotted under
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Curzon keeper Cameron Mason. Under cup rules there was no extra time and the game proceeded straight to the dreaded penalty shootout. Both teams scored their first, however Curzon missed their second giving Farsley the upper hand. Priestley failed to take advantage, however Darren ornton blasted over to give the momentum back to Farsley. Both sides scored their next two to make it 3-3 with Farsley having the chance to win it. Spencer Harris stepped up and blasted home to give Farsley a cup upset as they progressed to the third round of the Doodson Sports Cup.
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farsley afc route to the semis Farsley 4 - 2 Sheffield FC Farsley are through to the quarter-finals of the Doodson Sport Cup for the third season in a row thanks to tonight’s 4-2 win over Sheffield FC. e Villagers produced a fine second half performance after trailing 2-0 at the break with Kieran Walker and Jamie Hadfield netting in the opening 45 minutes for Sheffield. But a brace from Adam Priestley plus strikes from Josh Grant and Lewis Nightingale secured a convincing win in wintry conditions, guaranteeing Farsley’s progress into the last eight. Priestley had forced a good save from Josh Green on seven minutes but the visitors opened the scoring three minutes later following a defensive mix-up. e ball was crossed in and Tom Taylor came to claim in a crowded box but was beaten to it by Walker who flicked the ball in the net. Winger Luke Porritt went on a great run down the left on 24 minutes, evading several Sheffield defenders but was unable to draw Farsley level with keeper Green palming away to safety. e visitors made it 2-0 though ten minutes later as an unmarked Hadfield took advantage of further sloppy defending, heading in from a corner. It could have been worse for Farsley at the interval had Taylor made a great save on 43 minutes to keep the score at 2-0. e ball was pinged to Ashley Longstaff who managed to turn and shoot but the Farsley shot-stopper
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got a vital touch to divert the shot onto the crossbar. Roused by the half-time team talk, the hosts wasted no time into reducing their arrears and made it 2-1 on 48 minutes. Porritt sent the ball in from the left and Priestley made a quick turn before firing into the bottom corner. Following light flurries in the first half, the snow really began to fall at the Nest as the second period ticked on but the conditions did not hinder Farsley’s comeback trail as proceedings were levelled on the hour. Spencer Harris got on the end of a corner and diverted the ball goal-wards and although Green made the save, it fell right to the feet of Grant who tapped home from a couple of yards out. It didn’t take the hosts long to take the lead – just two minutes later Nightingale was picked out and the winger tucked the ball under Green for 3-2. Sheffield almost equalised on 77 minutes when Longstaff received the ball and had a great chance to finish with Taylor off his line but was denied by a last ditch block which sent the ball out for a corner. Farsley finished the game off with their fourth in stoppage time after a great run down the right from debutant Jamie Tonkinson. e academy player, younger brother of former Farsley attacker Craig Tonkinson, took the ball down the flank before squaring to the feet of Priestley who knocked home his 17th of the campaign and his sixth in the last five games
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Farsley 3 - 0 Lancaster Farsley progressed to the semi-finals of the Doodson Sports Cup thanks to a clinical second half performance against Lancaster City. e first half was a tight affair, with Lancaster having the better chances and had an early chance when Reece Pearce had an effort well saved by Farsley 'keeper Tom Taylor. Farsley had a chance moments later when Aiden Savory headed straight at Michael Hale after a terrific cross by Josh Grant. Nightingale then took a quick freekick and Hale had to be alert to push the ball away. Lancaster had another chance just after the half-hour mark when Reece Pearce had another chance saved well by Taylor.
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Farsley then came to life early on in the second-half with two goals in five minutes. e first of those was from Luke Porritt when he turned in Spencer Harris' effort on the line following a corner. Robbie O'Brien then doubled Farsley's lead when he headed home following an Aiden Savory cross. Farsley then took control of the game and soon went 3-0 in front when Savory played in substitute Jamie Tonkinson, brother of ex-Farsley player Craig, who fired home with his first touch of the game from the edge if the box. Moments later Hale had to be at his best to brilliantly tip over a Kyle Hancock free-kick. e game then fizzled out over the last fifteen minutes, with Farsley in control and Lancaster failing to create any opportunities to perhaps force a comeback.
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tony’s teasers 1. Name Glossop North End’s FA Vase semi-final opponents . 2. Which former Ram currently manages Glossop? 3. Which club ended Bristol Rovers 20 game unbeaten run? 4. Kevin Wilkin is manager of which Conference club? 5. Jody Browns stint as manager of which club lasted just 73 days? 6. Whilst waiting for their new ground to be completed, where are FC United of Manchester playing their “home” games? 7. Which club is stranded at the bottom of Conference South? 8. Wrexham attracted a gate of over 6,000. Why? 9. Which welsh club plays at Belle Vue? 10. In which League do Garstang play?
ANSWERS: 1. St.Austell 2. Chrius Wilcock 3. Eastleigh 4. Wrexham 5. Welling United 6. Curzon Ashton 7. Staines Town 8. Local derby v Chester 9. Rhyl 10. West Lancs. League 0 24
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goal sponsorship
We’d like to thank the following people who have already pledged to sponsor the team for every goal scored for the remainder of the season.
Trigger Stephen & David Ste, Angie & Ethan Maria Mr & Mrs Darkside TobyTrotter Little Katie smiffylad Rammy Blue Chris S Johnno & Bernard Tony Cunningham Lui Delverto Rob Moss John Ayers Richard Isaacs Emma James Ian McCool Frank Crook Paul Gaskell Tanners Croft
£2 £2 £4 £1 £2 £1 £1 £1 £1 £2 £2 £1 £1 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £5 £2
If you’d like to join in (you get your name in the programme and receive your very own signed team photo as a thankyou) then please make your pledge on the club forum, email rob.sax@musician.org or call Rob on 07944 038512 e Fans Fund total currently stands at £623
ANSW 7. Stai
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meet the away fans rob winterbottom talks farsley pies What's the mood like in the camp at the moment? We have a really positive dressing room and a really good set of lads, who are all friendly and always happy to help. e last few results haven't gone how we would have liked, and has ended our play-off hopes for another season. Are things going to plan would you say? e hope was always to get into the play-offs this season, but it is hard when we have such big teams in our division, making it a hard league to get out of. Obviously there's the likes of Darlington and Salford, who can afford to splash the cash, as well as other big clubs like Scarborough, Droylsden and Northwich who have all played Conference level or above in the not too distant past. For you who are the players to watch at the moment, and why. Adam Priestley always gets a mention with him playing internationally for Gibraltar, and starting against Scotland last week. Ross Daly has had a good season this time after struggling for form last season. Probably the highlights this year have been the performances of two players who have come through the
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Academy. Kyle Hancock, 17, has had plenty of game time and done well in midfield, and Tom Taylor, 22, has been magnificent between the sticks. eir form has earned both players contracts with the club. How long have you been a supporter? I have supported the club since I moved to the area in 2009, pretty much just as Farsley Celtic were folding. Since then I have been a regular supporter of Farsley AFC since they were formed in 2010. What are your most memorable times with the club, and what sticks out for you this season. Definitely that first full season back in existence, when we won the League and Cup double. It was important to get out of the Northern Counties League as quickly as we did, it is showing again this season what a difficult league it is to get out of with only one team promoted. I would say that our best performance this season was away at Kendal. It is a long journey, and to play so well and bring three points back was great. Beating Darlington at home and Droylsden away are close too.
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“e hope was always to get into the play-offs, but it’s hard when we have such big teams in our division”
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Farsley Ladies just before kick-off in the County Cup Final against Bradford City last Wednesday rob is their chairman
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How would you change the club if you won the lottery? Build a nice new large club house. I would then take all those who voluntarily do such a good job for the club on a knees up abroad somewhere!
What are your hopes for the rest of the season? A Cup final would be nice! With the playoff's gone I think it is important to finish as high as we can up the table and look to take some confidence into next season.
How would you describe your supporters? I would say that we have a loyal group who attend both home and away. I also think that on the whole we are a realistic group, who are happy to have a team to support after the demise of Farsley Celtic.
How would you describe the town for any visitors, and what one word would you use to describe the ground catering? We are a small Village on the outskirts of Leeds, with plenty of shops and amenities. e village also has a successful cricket team and has a good history of sport. Pies!
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doing tonight. I also co-edit the programme, and I am helped by a group of others. I am also Chairman of Farsley AFC Ladies, who are having a very successful season Tell us a little bit about yourself - what you do for a living? Married? Kids? I work for a contract Caterer as a Primary School Business Development Manager, in a role that takes me all over the country. I always make sure I am back in time for a match though!
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What's your connection with the club? I look after the media side of things at the club, which involves updating the website, match reports, press releases, as well as match day twitter coverage - which I will be
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When you ďŹ nally get yourselves that promotion spot we’ll need to know what's the best pub for a pre-match / post-match pint, and why's it a good one? To be honest although there are 7 or 8 pubs in the village, most supporters head straight for our bar at the club which is a decent pint and reasonably priced.
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grant shenton shouting from between the sticks Although the squad is starting to settle down after the turbulence earlier in the season, the FC United game on Saturday was a real disappointment to me. It was easy to see why FC United are up there at the top of the table, and although ability is a part of it, much more important is that they were well organised, battled for everything, ran for everything, and just wanted it much more than we did, right from the off. Overall, apart from the penalty (some of those I’ve seen given, others not) and a silly lapse of concentration for the second goal, I only had one decent shot to save - a lot quieter than I’ve been of late. A big worry for me, as a person who really wants to win, is that some of the lads have got used to losing. I hope that’s not the case - I said in the changing room that I hope people don’t accept losing because I certainly don’t. I’ve played for a long time in a Rammy team that’s won a lot of games. I’m a winner at heart - I don’t want to lose. I wonder how people can’t get themselves fired up for a game like the FC United one on Saturday. Playing in front of 2000 people is what it’s about, it’s why we were out in the street playing football till half past ten when we were kids, it’s what football’s all about. Maybe some of the
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younger players get a bit intimidated by that, I don’t know, but they have to get over that and get on with playing. But it’s not just Saturday’s game. ere are some people who don’t seem to love the game, or don’t seem to want to be in the game, and I find that a bit annoying. Perhaps part of it is because we’ve been getting beaten and their heads have dropped a bit, who knows why it is - I don’t think even they know why. ey know who they are, and they know that their heart’s not in it, I suppose they just have to find a way to dig deep and get their attitude to where it needs to be. I do get wound up, and I’ve gone into the changing room after Saturday’s match and started shouting and bawling at lads, often shouting crap. e players themselves hold their hands up and admit they’re not getting stuck in enough, but we’re struggling to get the attitudes right. And it’s not just individuals. As a team we’re struggling to concentrate for the full 90 minutes, and that even pre-dates Robbo and Edgy taking over. If you drop the concentration for just a moment then you’ll concede a silly goal like the second on Saturday and you’ve lost the game! You’ll notice that we don’t play many (if any) teams that’ll come to Rammy and cut us open; it’s not often that happens. It’s always little lapses in concentration or a stupid mistake which gives away a goal. We
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score good goals ourselves, but more often than not it’s our mistakes that gift the opposition the goal and the points. I do have to admit that the opposition is a lot better than we expected when we got promoted to this league. We’d been winning and winning, and expected to just go on doing the same in the new division - a bit naive on our part certainly. You only have to look at the plight of Trafford, who managed mid-table in their first season after promotion, but this season have dropped right off into the relegation zone and look to be almost certainly going down. It’s upsetting that we’ve got into that same trend - understandable perhaps after everything that’s happened, but not acceptable. But if you look at the recent results, perhaps it is turning. We drew with Blyth in a game that we deserved to win, went to Buxton and got a point which is very hard to do, and we’ve shown that we’ve got the quality in the squad, there’s no denying that. We just need to learn as a team how to grind out a result. In reality there’s only so much that Robbo can do about things. Once you cross that white line onto the pitch it’s up to you to get and keep yourself fired up and concentrating. He’ll get fifteen minutes at half-time and before the game, and apart from that it’s just shouting from the touchline or from on the pitch, which is a lot more difficult for him. Tonight’s a good chance for us to turn things around and hopefully get things right on the pitch.
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î Łe Harry Williams Riverside 4th April 2015 Att: 2,104 Rammy Goals: FC United Goals: Stott (31), Fallon (62)
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David Kuba-Kuba : inspirational and tireless
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Robbo ‘getting stuck in’
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e Harry Williams Riverside 4th April 2015 Att: 2,104 Rammy Goals: FC United Goals: Stott (31), Fallon (62)
is was a very comfortable and largely untroubled victory for FC United who are now just 3 points away from assured promotion. Apart from a brilliantly understated performance from Callum Byrne there was little to delight in a tepid and sometimes tedious stop start match not helped by some over fussy refereeing. e visitors must have contributed at least 70% of the record 2100 crowd at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium and being so close to promotion it was perhaps to be expected that the red hordes would descend with no little swagger. It was a great disappointment though that a very small minority of their supporters rather spoilt what could and should have been a festive Easter atmosphere by indulging in abusive foul mouthed vitriol and venom against the home team and its supporters. It was a throw back to the dark ages of professional football which drove so may supporters to this level of football. It would be wrong to castigate the majority for the failings of the few but there is a great danger of FC United becoming no better than they ought to be mini me clones of the club they abandoned for some thing new cleaner and fresher - which would be great shame. None of which detracts from their performance on the pitch and a well earned promotion. It is not to damn Callum Byrne with faint praise to say he is only capable of doing the simple thing. e ability he has to find space time and awareness to do it - and do it quickly accurately and effectively - marks him out as an exceptional performer at this level. e fact that the Rams disdained to try to man mark him or even get anyone close to him helped of course- but he did not need any invitation to shuffle back and forth along the half way line barely needing to make a tackle, almost constantly in possession and finding teammates with neat progressive passes. centre
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e Harry Williams Riverside 4th April 2015 Att: 2,104 Rammy Goals: FC United Goals: Stott (31), Fallon (62)
For the first 30 minutes or so aided by the slow pace of the game the Rams rather held their own and could have taken the lead after 10 minutes when David Kuba Kuba's shot was turned wide after a strong run from the half way line got him into the box. But once FCU took the lead on the half hour from the penalty spot after Shelton Payne found a defending leg to fall over the game was all but over as a contest.e Rams as is their norm battled away and Mark Ayrws and George Bowyer where resolute at the back. But as a team the Rams are vertically challenged and hence constantly susceptible to the dead ball. It was from that route that FCU scored the second goal that put any doubt in the final outcome firmly to rest. Rory Fallon found it all to easy to spin of his marker at the far post and head in a teasing out swinging corner from almost under the bar. A neat well worked goal. While they were well beaten on the day the Rams were far from disgraced. e resilience they showed in the face of a very good team marks the progress they are making. With results going their way and a healthy goal difference compared with those around them another 3 or 4 points from the last 8 matches will see them comfortably safe.
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Mark Ayres’s late header bounces off the goal-line courtesy of Scott Cheatham’s backside centre
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Rory Fallon’s easy header for FC United’s second
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î Łe Harry Williams Riverside 4th April 2015 Att: 2,104 Rammy Goals: FC United Goals: Stott (31), Fallon (62)
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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Good evening to all and I hope I find you well. Also a warm welcome to those who have crossed "them there hills" and hopped across from Farsley for this semifinal of the Doodson League Cup. Some will always deride Cup competitions but we are the only club left from the Premier Division so will probably be described as favourites today and wouldn't it just be superb for us as a club to lift this particular trophy considering all that has gone before. So let's get right behind the lads tonight. As I write this column, it's Sunday morning on a foggy, dank Oldham morning (I bet its lovely and tropical down in the south!). And I am still fuming following the events of yesterday's encounter with the vile FC United of Manchester thugs. Are they the new face of non-league football? Is that what we are to expect now when rocking up to watch our team play at this level of football? It was scenes like yesterday which turned my father away from football back in the 1980s and we started to watch more and more rugby union. As a youngster, I used to watch Southampton all of the time, standing in the Family Centre at e Dell where we were season ticket holders. But the increase of hooliganism turned our backs away from the game when a friend
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of ours, Peter Andrews, suggested we go with him to watch a rugby match ... and that is what we have done predominently, ever since. at is before I got involved with Ramsbottom United, courtesy of Harry's persuasion when we were involved in the cricket club in the mid 2000s. However, much of yesterday's events have turned me cold and certainly appreciative of what I have back home watching the oval ball game. I know it was a one-off occasion and 2,104 spectators in the ground (the official attendance although I know many climbed the fence and got in without paying) was our ground record but would I like to see that again? Or would I like to see FC United of Manchester again? No thanks! As you fully well know, I am passionate about my club. Ask the question of me anywhere in the country who I support and I will respond in only one way Ramsbottom United. I am a Southampton boy born and bred, and am proud of what the club is achieving down there but I don't watch them (last time I watched them, I think was in League One). I take more pride in Ramsbottom United's results than I do of Southampton's. is is my club and I will defend it to the hilt. e barbed comments about price increase (which didn't happen) riled me. FC United of Manchester - you got your way. But if their supporters wanted to
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rebel heroes or plastic morons? Perhaps a smattering of both
“the plastic, bandwagon jumping morons descended upon us en masse” #boycott the game all because of a £1, then do so. Cheerio, goodbye, have a nice day shopping! Ohhh it's because of their principles ... ohhh I see! Does your club's principles involve ruining our ground, including ripping down our flags and ruining them? Urinating wherever you want? Climbing the fence to get in for free? Abusing opponents supporters, including young children? Intimidating and
threatening those said supporters? Even the bringing of a banner saying "We are not a Cash Cow, we are FC United" is complete nonsense. Who the hell do they think they are - running roughshod over everyone in their path, just because they are this jumped up little club pretending to be standing side-by-side with one of the most famous clubs in the world. YOU ARE NOT! THEY HATE YOU!
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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs And you are not non-league supporters. You are supporters of Manchester United Football Club - not FC United of Manchester. You are pretending to be something you are not. On the way in, they sang of Eric Cantona! Errrr, he never played for you. "Yeah but he played for Man U when we supported them, you fat c**t", said one 'person' entering the ground. But he didn't play for the club that you are watching today! Even before kick-off, the insults began. e plastic, bandwagon jumping morons descended upon us en masse, all pretending to be FC United of Manchester followers but you can be damn sure they were on their phones looking for the score from Old Trafford once our game was over. Nonleague football does not need you. Ramsbottom United does not need you and it looks like they will be promoted this season into the Conference North. Bye! don't let the door hit you on the way out. When I lived in Prestwich and FC United of Manchester were formed in 2005, it was mentioned to me that, as I like football, I should go along and support them. By god, I am so glad that I didn't. at club was formed as a 'protest against the exploitation of supporters'. Do you actually think that Manchester United actually CARE? 2,000 odd regulars
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throwing their season tickets away. ere you go, Mr and Mrs Someone-Else, you can have it instead - we have a big waiting list. Kerching! I am quite a mild mannered person. But yesterday really got my back up. And my ejecting of an FC United of Manchester supporter for urinating at the side of the our sponsors lounge at half-time was the final straw. We had ensured that we had mobile toilet facilities installed, there were THREE such avenues to relieve yourself so use them! is is my club. is is the ground of my club, the club I love. And I will not have 'people' abusing it like that. Get out and stay out. Sorry if that sounds like an absolute rant it is really. But I am just not having my club trashed, abused, intimated and threatened like it was yesterday. I am just looking forward to tomorrow's match against Ashton United and returning to what nonleague football is all about ... fun, camaraderie and enjoyment of the match on the pitch. I am not going to be here today - I went home after the game on Monday. But, come on lads, bring it home today - a final against Warrington Town would be something to really look forward to and something to remember the 2014/2015 season for - rather than the upheaval and the antagonistic nature of Saturday. COME ON YOU RAMS!
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T: 01706 281145 T: M: 07970 184876 M: W: www.bespoke-landscapes.com www.bespoke-landscapes.com W: E: E: gordon@bespoke-landscapes.com gordon@bespoke-landscapes.com Fencing
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supporters club on the terraces of rammy Blimey, what a lot of handbag swinging we’ve been witnessing over the last week or so on ‘social media’. As we saw with the infamous Radcliffe Borough Incident involving our former managers, trial by Twitter can be a pretty unpleasant affair which can leave lasting scars for those involved. I read the other articles by Tony and Richard in this programme (Tony being his usual ultra-diplomatic self, while Richard threw everything he had at ‘the plastic Mancs’) while wondering how I felt about it all. To summarise the situation for those who have got better things to do than sit reading Twitter garbage all day and night, Rammy attempted to raise the admission prices to £10 and £5 for the FC United game. e reason? Basically it’s a throwback to the Stockport County game earlier in the season. e police were very keen to alleviate queueing at the turnstiles and so were demanding that the game should be all-ticket. is would have been a bit of a disaster for the club as a load of fans wouldn’t have time to get tickets and the attendance would suffer enormously. at’s when Tony suggested that we could speed up ground admissions by charging a ‘round’ tenner and fiver for people to get in - no need
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for working anything out and giving out change (two adults and two concessions is £30, not erm... £26, and here’s your £4 change). e police agreed and the Stockport game went off with a decent-ish crowd and no hitches. Harry decided to do the exact same thing with FC United, for the exact same reasons... which is when the FC United Militant Tendency started jumping up and down demanding that their club isn’t a cash cow and that their fans should pay the same as every other club. Rammy hastily retreated, abandoned segregation (freeing up three turnstiles for away fans), advised everyone to arrive early and went back to £9/£4. My opinion? I’m afraid I probably agree with FC United. Why should they be charged more for bringing more fans? I don’t agree with their public whinging, whining and mud-slinging but then I suspect I’d be the same if I were in their position. End of Part One... ...Part Two - the day of the match arrives, and 1800 or so FC United fans arrive in Rammy, come onto the ground and, according to a good few of our supporters, proceed to piss everywhere, rip down flags, tear up flowers and leave an obscene amount of litter everywhere. “e plastic, bandwagon jumping morons descended on us en masse” with their Cantona flags and their deluded ideals.... My opinion? A difficult one, but the
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This is not acceptable at Ramsbottom United
barriers in the 1980s will surely agree that, albeit objectionable, the behaviour of the few dickheads is relatively tame. Most importantly though, someone in the ground (illegally) set off a couple of blue smoke bombs. I think it’s pretty safe to say that an FC United fan wouldn’t even buy blue smoke bombs, let alone be seen with them in public. e question I ask you, is whether we blame Rammy as a whole for the behaviour of two idiot bandwagon jumpers from Bury with a couple of smoke bombs. Of course we don’t. Similarly, do we blame FC United as a whole for the objectionable behaviour of a handful of their 1800 supporters? Of course we don’t. is doesn’t mean we have to like them, but we do need to be fair. In my mind, the FC United fans behaved admirably, with a few exceptions. As far as I’m concerned, good luck to em, and here’s looking forward to their next visit.
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question for me has to be, can the majority take the blame for the behaviour of a small number of scrotes? ere’s no denying that the condescending Manc-ness that you encounter with the Big United seems to have attached itself to the Little United, and I find that a bit irritating, but that’s all - a bit irritating. And the way that some viewed us as some kind of tiny team that the were honouring with their prescence and their money was a tad patronising, but no more than that. Now, the handful of dickheads who abused our supporters, pissed up the walls and destroyed our flags are what we are left to consider. In the grand scheme of hoolie behaviour, ripping down flags and calling the keeper names is pretty tame and little more than handbags. Anyone who remembers the darts and razor-bladed golfballs that used to come flying over the
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Manager: Jon ROBINSON
Grant SHENTON Kyle HARROP Lee NEVILLE Jamie ROTHER Alex FROST Mark AYRES Osebi ABADAKI Matty BURKE Lee GASKELL Vinny MUKENDI Donal McDERMOTT Ian BENNETT George BOWYER Tom WILLIAMS Luke HERON Malachi SLAVEN Callum JONES Tom BROOKS Phil EDGHILL Jon ROBINSON
Manager: Neil PARSLEY
Tom TAYLOR Michael ASPIN Josh GRANT Rob O’BRIEN Alex MCQUADE Spencer HARRIS James RILEY Ross DALY Adam PRIESTLEY Aiden SAVORY Andy WELSH Jake LOFTHOUSE Kyle HANCOCK Lewis NIGHTINGALE Ryan SERRANT Matthew DEMPSEY Luke PORRITT Jamie TONKINSON
Referee: Richard Wild Referee’s Assistants: James orburn, Christopher Bega
Next home game: Saturday 11th April 3pm, Rammy v Halesowen Town
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