Derby loss seals Rams’ relegation
COLNE ........................... 2 RAMSBOTTOM UTD... 1 WILL PLACE
RAMSBOTTOM
United’s relegation was confirmed at the weekend with defeat at the hands of local rivals Colne.
Goals from Mateusz Kardacz and substitute Lucas Weaver were enough for Colne to take all three points at Sovereign Play Stadium.
The defeat meant that Rammy will be playing their football in the North West Counties division next year.
Both teams started the game positively trying to find an opening early on.
The first chance of the game fell the way of the hosts when Elewa-Ikpakwu tried his luck from close range but Manchester United loanee Tom Wooster was on hand to make a fabulous save.
Ramsbottom responded with a chance of their own pretty swiftly as
Jordan Scanlon struck a beautiful effort goal bound but Hakan Burton was down fast to deny him on 11 minutes.
Despite the fact that the Rams looked to be getting the better of their opponents it was actually the home side who struck first on 24 minutes when a half-cleared corner fell invitingly for Colne midfielder Kardacz who fizzled a sensational effort into the far corner of the goal from 25 yards giving the Rams number one absolutely no chance of saving it.
This didn’t seem to hinder the spirits of the away side and they continued pushing in their quest for an equalizer and they very nearly found one when Scanlon latched onto a Billy HaslerCregg cross but, his shot was fractionally wide.
With the score line only at one nil at the break it was still all to play for in the second 45 and the visitors knew exactly that.
Their consistent pressure finally paid dividends on 55 minutes when Scanlon managed to jink his way into the box and then smash home from around 12 yards with a fine curling effort.
Rammy began to smell blood and they continued to push for the goal that would put them in front and Scanlon would have managed to get his second of the afternoon on 65 minutes if it wasn’t for some sensational goal keeping from Burton.
However, from the resulting corner Colne hit on the counter attack and the fresh legged Lucas Weaver managed to avoid a few challenges as he drove into the box and then the forward added the finishing touches from close range to put his side back in the lead.
Ramsbottom manager David Chadwick tried to shake things up by bringing Jordan Southworth, Don Ogbeifun and Ryan Lockett onto the pitch but the substitutes were unable to make a difference and his side fell to that dreaded defeat that they knew could very well send them down if results didn’t go there way elsewhere.
A very sad day for the Rams indeed, but manager Chadwick will be eager to have a good end to the season as he looks to rebuild for the next campaign.