The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, home of Ramsbottom United based in Greater Manchester and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the North West Counties Premier Division. Nicknamed the “Rams” as it’s in the name “Ramsbottom”.
Only my third game so far this season which true to form isn’t very good for me with some other hoppers and fans on their 20th game already! But nevertheless I have enjoyed my little break from the game and ready to kick start it all once again!
A very poor start for newly relegated Ramsbottom last week as they were thumped 4-0 at Wythenshawe Town so they have their work cut out for them for the visit of FC Isle of Man tonight! I’m sure they’ll be hoping that jet lag kicks in for them!
So it’s across the Peak District on to the M67, to the M60 and onto the M66 into the ground with about 10 minutes to kick off. £9 for this one! Yummy!
The teams are ready! We are ready! The tannoy… Not so much! Will we see a Ramsbottom response? Or will the Isle of Man be jetting home with the points? Great to see Tony here tonight as well!
Kick Off! 3 minutes in and Ramsbottom play down the right, it’s played into the middle, it drops nicely for Maine Walder… And he finishes! WHAT A START!! Just what Ramsbottom needed! 1-0! “OH RAMMY UNITED!”
Ramsbottom are continuing to press in the early stages here! 15 minutes now and Ramsbottom break down the left, it’s played across early, Ramsbottom get to it and it’s played back for the shot… SCUFF! It rolls wide but the Offside flag is up in the meantime.
24 minutes on the watch and Isle of Man have a corner, in it comes… Near post header… WHAT A SAVE! Somehow it’s kept out but it is another corner which is played in again… Cleared by Ramsbottom.
2 minutes later and Owen Collinge has it on the right and he gets into the box, he cuts inside… Down he goes… Referee… Has given a dive! Yellow Card! Looked stone wall from here… But after viewing it again I think it’s fair to say that Tom Daley maybe would have been happy with that one!
Great to bump into Spireite Mark here tonight! 39th minute and Ramsbottom get forward to the edge of the box, it’s laid off for Harvey Whyte to shoot from just outside the box… OH! It’s just wide! What a chance but it is a corner so I think that explains why it’s not gone in!
Isle of Man are starting to press for an equaliser here but at half time it remains 1-0 Rammy!
Second half, 49th minute and Ramsbottom hit a long ball up field which Isle of Man haven’t dealt with here… Ramsbottom retrieve it on the right and he drives into the box and out comes the keeper… It’s played across… But Isle of Man get there to clear.
53 minutes now and Isle of Man get into the box on the right, it’s played across and Sean Doyle is there… It’s just over! So close to an equaliser there!
62 minutes played and Ramsbottom work it out to the left for Maine Walder to chase, he gets there and into the box and he shoots… OFF THE BAR!! So close for his second there!
1 minute later after a succession of throw ins Ramsbottom get it down the right and it’s played across low and here’s Martyn Jackson with the shot… Good save! Isle of Man live to fight another wave!
73 minutes gone and Ramsbottom break forward, it’s played across and Richard Whittingham must surely make it 2… He’s rolled it wide!! What a golden opportunity that was!
Isle of Man are starting to push for an equaliser again just like the end of the first half but Ramsbottom are starting to run down the clock…
The 90th minute and it’s another free kick for the Isle of Man, it’s in a shooting position at around 30 yards out, Dean Pinnington will shoot… OH! IT’S DYNAMITE!! He’s found the bottom corner and Isle of Man look like they’ve stolen a point here!
Into stoppage time now and Ramsbottom come forward, Conal Gallagher has broken free and he’s in… Surely not… OHHHHHHHHH! HE’S DONE IT!! Right at the death and Ramsbottom may have stolen it after all! Drama upon drama here in Greater Manchester tonight!! WOW!
Play goes on… Rammy have won it! They’re season is underway! As for the Isle of Man… All this way for nothing…
FT: Ramsbottom United 2-1 FC Isle of Man
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Not bad from the Rammy ultras.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Really nice! Good stands and standing areas in the ground but it’s all about the picturesque views for me! Great to also see a football club and cricket club shared properly with no pitch issues!
- Expense: 10/10 – £9 for drama upon drama! YES!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – Really enjoyed that anti-climax! Great to see Tony and Mark tonight as well!
33/40