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BETVICTOR NPL NORTH WEST DIVISION RAMSBOTTOM ................ 2 BRIGHOUSE TOWN......... 0 AARON BENSON
RA M S B O T TOM United retuned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Brighouse Town. After nearly a month away from the HWRS, goals in each half from Rueben Jerome and Nic Evangelinos was enough to earn Chris Willcock’s side all three points.
Four changes were made after the 5-1 loss at Workington the previous week. Peter Doran, David Maher, Daniel Murphy and Reuben Jerome all came into the eleven while Teddy Perkins and Josh Hmani dropped to the bench. Sam Adetiloye and Anointed Chukwu were absent from the match day squad.
The Rams made a strong start and should have taken the lead inside the first minute. A long ball forward from the blues backline caught out the respective Brighouse defenders leaving Nic Evangelinos with a one on one against the visiting keeper Jordan Porter. Despite an admirable effort from the number 11, his attempted shot could only be deflected wide.
Continuing to knock on the door, the home side looked to be a different outfit to the one who had shipped 11 goals in their previous two games. Jamie Rother, who was named player of the month for September, saw a shot cannon off the post while Mason Fawns looked to lob Porter, but the man between the sticks was well behind the effort.
Playing in all green, Brighouse slowly began to grow into the game and threatened the home goal on several occasions. First, a long range shot from midfield hit the goalpost leaving Tom Stewart rooted to the spot, then moments later Eddie Church failed to convert a low cross by Ousman Cham. The best chance for the Yorkshire side came when Thomas Haigh beat several Rams defenders while drifting into the box, only for his effort to be cleared off the line.
The opening goal wasn’t far away and Rammy were soon ahead through Jerome after 39 minutes. Evangelinos found the striker with a smart pass, leaving the attacker with a simple finish that found the far right corner.
The second half began in entertaining style with chances at both ends. Haigh again was allowed time on the ball accelerating into the box, managing to force Stewart into a save at the near post.
Looking to double his side’s lead and score the second of the game, Jerome was again causing trouble for the right back Joe Wilkinson, this time beating his man with a sharp burst of pace, however his shot couldn’t match the run, shooting well wide of the target. At the other end, Cham drove at the defence but Kelvin Lugsden managed to deflect the winger’s effort away.
Returning to the side in the second half, substitute midfielder Eddie Moran’s left foot drive had Porter beaten but not the woodwork.
Brighouse were still causing problems however. Town sub Jack Lazenby found himself free on the edge of the box but skewed his right footed attempt.
The game was sewn up in the 87th minute with Evangelinos deservingly earning a spot on the scoresheet with a goal on his own.
Expertly controlling a testing forward pass, the tricky winger-turnedstriker coolly stroked the ball home, meaning that the ever strong home faithful avoided a nail biting finish. ●● Daniel Naidole fires in a cross for the Rams in their clash against Brighouse Town