Lights out but rise continues
PAUL CROPPER RAMSBOTTOM UTD ....... 2 BOLTON WANDERERS .... 2
FLOODLIGHT failure restricted this competitive and evenly contested warm up game against a determined and physically strong Bolton youth team to 70 minutes which was a shame.
As the light closed in the game was well balanced with the Rams coming back strong having fell behind to two goals from set pieces. The other disappointment was that no light was also shed on what is likely to/ be the Rams starting line up particularly at the back where three trialists were fielded.
At least though up front and in midfield there is a clear sense of shape, balance and cohesion.
In Seddon, Hart and Green the Rams have a forward three each contrasting in style but who seem to have struck up an instinctive understanding.
Gareth Seddon simply knows where the goal is and how to get into position to find it, Darren Green languid of movement with sublime first touch times his runs into the box with efficiency of effort and Jay Hart is a pocket dynamo unstinting in effort direct and devastating in possession.
This is a team being built from the front back - and there is nothing wrong with that.
Seddon had already cut inside and whistled a rising shot just wide of the post with the keeper an energetic spectator before he put Hart through with a first time ball.
Hart collided with the outrushing keeper and for the second time in two games the referee exercised discretion in the Rams favour and gave a ●● New Rams signing Gareth Seddon, pictured during his Salford City days penalty which Seddon dispatched with sufficient venom to defeat the keeper’s dive.
But for the first time in the warm-up games the Rams defence and ability to deal with dead ball kicks came under pressure.
Dennis Polotic, completely unimpeded by any marking, headed home from a corner.
Then Chris Cheetham could only palm out rather than away a firmly hit freekick and the defence failed to respond quickly enough to prevent Alex Honeyball forcing home the loose ball.
From there the Rams seemed to be loosing their way somewhat until as the light faded they gained a second wind prompted primarily by Green.
First he pulled down a long high ball on the edge of the area with a delicate swish of the foot, swivelled and crashed the ball low into the net.
Then playing a neat one two he sliced open the Bolton defence before setting up Seddon who was just a little too casual and saw his shot blocked.
Lastly Green reprised his earlier trick this time at the far post but was bustled away.
The front three had been given to express themselves going forward from advanced positioned by a middle three of Alex Meaney, Dean Stott and a very impressive Nat Taylor playing tight and narrowly – with Josh Dunroe and Matt Atherton to come back into the team as full backs and noise of another centre half and forward in the air all is looking promising.
Another good run-out which leaves the Rams undefeated in warm-up games.