Trophy quest

Tom Kennedy showed his undoubted quality by floating the ball over the wall and past Cooper to give the visitors a lead they would ultimately hold onto.

Within minutes and with confidence coursing through the team the Rams won another free kick a similar distance from goal but Rodney’s curling effort looked destined for the top corner before Coopers flying save denied the striker a second debut goal.

With an hour played the visitors had a slender advantage but regular observers of Ramsbottom’s recent games would be mindful that the team had found it difficult to hold onto leading positions as twice in the last fortnight the Rams had surrendered two goal advantages.

Trafford made their second change and increased their attacking options with the angular Derbyshire replacing O’Brien as the home side looked to change the complexion of the contest, the Rams responded with another debutant, former Barnsley striker Louis Rowe replacing Ruben Jerome up front.

With almost three quarters of the contest played the lead was almost increased when good interplay down the right hand side gave Kyle Jacobs the opportunity to stride forward and the full backs well struck 30 yard angled drive looked to have beaten Cooper but flew fractionally over the cross- bar as the visitors looked to give themselves more breathing space ahead of Trafford’s anticipated onslaught to preserve their participation in this seasons FA Trophy competition.

Trafford, who had won five consecutive matches didn’t disappoint in that regard and the last twenty minutes were played mainly in the visitors half with the home side pushing hard for an equaliser. Chances came and went for Trafford with Burns heading wide when well placed and Sam Ashton saving well from a well struck effort from the edge of the area.

With 15 minutes remaining Phil Dean replaced Evangelinos as the Rams resolute defend- ing kept the hosts at bay with Luke Thompson and Ryan Ellison at their competitive best, indeed the away side almost broke away to devastating effect when a long ball over the top of the hosts defence found substitute Rowe who outpaced the home defence before rounding the goalkeeper but a prohibitive angle made it difficult to get a shot on target.

The remaining ten minutes saw Trafford fashion a couple more chances as Burns threatened to restore parity, firstly flicking a header inches wide of the post before the same player forced a fine fingertip save from Ashton and despite the hosts winning a number of late set pieces, Ramsbottom repelled all that the hosts could throw at them to register Chris Willcocks first victory as Ramsbottom United manager.

In summary an excellent result and encouraging team performance from Chris Willcocks’ charges as Ramsbottom United progressed to the First Round of the FA Trophy whilst ensuring that the travelling Rams supporters had an enjoyable day trip to South Manchester.

Ramsbottom United:Ashton, Kennedy, Jacobs, Osi-Efa, Thompson, Ellison, Rodney, Higgs (Rother 89 mins), Jerome (Rowe 66 mins), Moran, Evangelinos (Dean 75 mins) Unused SubsGaskell, Hindle