In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Ramsbottom United 1-0 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Harry Williams Stadium
Thursday 19th March 2015
Attendance:
A quiet opening to the game saw neither side really threatening until the seveteenth minute when the hosts took the lead. A simple long ball in behind the Spartans back four released Rams player manager Jon Robinson in on goal and he made no mistake as he held off the challenge of Ryan Hutchinson to fire home past Nick Thomson.
The Rams almost doubled their lead just minutes after taking the lead through ex-Manchester City youngster Donal McDermott. Again Spartans were caught by a ball over the top, this time on the Rams left and McDermott burst into the area but the alert goalkeeping of Thomson allowed the keeper to close down the winger and clear to safety.
With ten minutes to go until the break Spartans had two big chances to equalise, both falling to Matthew Wade within seconds of each other. Captain for the night Stephen Turnbull took a corner from the right that found Wade but the midfielder saw his ten yard header saved by Rams keeper Grant Shenton. The rebound fell back to Wade but his follow up was cleared off the line by Kyle Harrop, who then cleared the ball to safety.
A largely uneventful first half came to an end with neither side creating any more real chances of note, with both sets of wingers looking dangerous running at their men without really create. Understandably both sets of players looked lethargic given the hectic schedule they have been forced to play recently.
Ramsbottom United: Shenton, Harrop, Neville, Burke, Ayres, Bowyer, Williams (Brooks 25), Kuba-Kuba, Robinson, Gaskell, McDermott Subs not used: Hartley, Heron, Edghill, Bennett Goals: Robinson 17
Spartans: Thomson, Hawkins, Nicholson, Watson, Hutchinson, Stp Turnbull, Rivers, Lynch, Maguire, Wade, Wearmouth Subs not used: Dale, Richardson, Stv Turnbull, Hooks, Davis Goals
Referee: Thomas Kirk