HISTORY MAKERS!

Rams make FA Trophy second round for first time

‘The incident ...put a bit of a dampener on the result’

RA MS BOTTOM United have made the history books by reaching the second round of the FA Trophy for the first time in the club’s existence.

The Rams beat opposition Workington AFC 2-0 in Tuesday night’s replay at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, following a 0-0 draw last weekend sending them through to the next stage of the nonleague competition.

Victory against the side that are a division above also makes Ramsbottom the last remaining representative in the trophy from the Evo-Stik North- ern Premier League.

Manager Chris Willcock said: “We were worthy of going through, we created the best chances in both games and we were able to tackle them which was pleasing. We now find ourselves in the next round which the lads fully deserve, they’ve been absolutely fantastic.

“From a historic point of view, we can all look back in the future and look at the run that we’ve put together in this competition and be extremely proud of what we’ve achieved.”

The final ten minutes of the cup tie saw play suspended for over 30 minutes as Rams winger Nialle Rodney fell with a serious injury, and was then taken to hospital with a fractured and dislocated ankle.

Willcock was deeply concerned for his players wellbeing, saying: “The incident with Nialle Rodney late on in the game has put a bit of a dampener on the result, the lads are not as buoyant and as joyous as they would be after obviously a fantastic cup tie, and a fantastic result. It’s just put a bitter taste in everybody’s mouth unfortunately.”

Rodney has played a big part in the team’s recent success which has seen them progress both in the FA Trophy and the league. Due to their good run, Willcock’s men were awarded Club of the Month for November.

Willcock said: “I’d have been surprised if we didn’t [win Club of the Month], we were fantastic in November.

“We’ve clocked up some air miles during November but outside of that, the results have been absolutely fantastic, we’ve only had one setback really and the lads have responded well to that.

“We’ve progressed in this competition, and got ourselves going again in the league.”

The Rams will now welcome visitors Weymouth FC, from the Evo-Stik Premier League South, for the next knock-out stage fixture in January.

Willcock said: “We don’t play now till the 12 th January, so there’s a bit of a delay. It’ll give us time to regroup, assess things, and do our homework on the opposition.” “We get two players back in who’ve been out suspended, Kyle Jacobs and Kieran Lugsden, they’re back now for the competition next round so that helps us.”