This weekend's match was a home one versus Astley & Tyldesley Spurs who are propping up the division currently. The Cameras were in evidence as part of 'an end of season' treat for the lads whilst also hopefully use it as a coaching tool.
Though our opponents were bottom of the league, the lads were reminded that they could not just 'turn up and play and a win will happen - it had to be earnt' which seemed to be taken onboard from the first whistle as the lads were on the front foot pushing the visitors back at every opporunity. For the first fifteen mins the ball was 90% in the Astley half of the pitch but though chances were created, they were not finished as Joe hit the bar and some last ditch defending denied firstly Aaron and then Jack. However soon after the deadlock was broken when Joe and Harvey combined with the latter sending over a lovely cross for Charlie to run on and head into the top corner. However as is typical with the lads, they started to try and 'play through the opposition' instead of using the width of the pitch, which led to Astley dealing with our attacks easier than it had been at outset. Against the run of play, Astley equalised when a ball down the channel caught both Sam and Josh unawareness and the Astley forward managed to squeeze in between the two of them and beat Rory to equalise. You still sensed that it would only be a matter of time before our ascendancy was rewarded but nothing happened until right on half time when Scott received the ball in the centre of the Astley half of the pitch, beat a man and then let fly with a lovely left footed shot into the corner of the goal.
Half time - Ramsbottom United Juniors 2 Astley & Tyldesley Spurs 1
The main focus of the half time team talk was to move the ball quicker and to use the channels more as the pitch was bobbly in the middle and Astley were flooding it with numbers.
Second half was much better as chances came at will with first Harry latching onto a through ball and driving at the astley defence before sliding the ball past the keeper. Joe then had a header disallowed for offisde when he looked onside but soon afterwards the lads scored a 4th when a ball out of defence gave Aaron room to run at the defence. He was brought down just outside the area and subsequently picked himeself up to curl a delightful shot over the wall into the corner of the net. Further goals were scored by Sam and Scott both from corners and Charlie had another goal disallowed before the end. The ref decided to play only 30 mins in the second half not taking into account the injury holdup for an Astley player but it would not have affected the result.
A good performance overall though the lads could have won more comfortably as Rory was a bystander for most of the game but all in all it was a comfortable victory and showed the lads ability to pass and move the ball on a pitch which was a little difficult to play on. Bigger tests are around the corner but the lads are capable to finish in the top 4/5 when they play as they can - its all about having the correct attitude as they are technically capable players.
