United take away point off leaders

EVO-STIK LEAGUE DIVISION ONE FARSLEY CELTIC ........ 0 RAMSBOTTOM UTD ... 0 PAUL CROPPER MIDWEEK away games are never easy in this league and never more so when they are away on a filthy evening on the dark side of the Pennines against the league leaders.

So to come away with a point in any circumstances would have been an achievement.

To do so with the calm assurance showed by the Rams last night, at the very least being a match for Farsley, is massively encouraging.

When the season is reviewed next May this match and the point gained may be seen as a significant. It could well mark the end of the beginning.

This wasn’t the greatest of games with both teams struggling to put together moves of any quality.

There were chances throughout at both ends – Farsley might reflect on two glorious headed chances missed one in each half and a fine save by Charlie Albinson to deny Graeme McKibben but against that Ryan Salmon, ploughing a lone furrow in the absence of Gareth Sedona had his own chances – twice through clear on goal but unable to get a shot away.

As the game progressed though it was the Rams who were coming the stronger and could have grabbed all the points had Josh Askew not had his shot deflected wide and then Sam Freakes shooting into the side netting when clear.

This though was a performance built around a tigerish midfield effort from Alex Meaney and Damian Green, and a solid defensive effort in which all the back four were assured and Askew and Luke Thomson outstanding.

The young centre half, who has been in superb form in recent matches, appeared to damage his arm or shoulder and played the last 20 minutes or so holding his arm across his chest.

It brought back memories of Frank Beckanbauer playing with a dislocated shoulder against Russia in 1966 – courage, resilience and no little skill. ●● Ramsbottom Player of the Month for October, Ryan Salmon (right)