Holland‑Wilkinson double fires Ramsbottom United back to the top at Prestwich

A first half stalemate was in stark contrast to a second half where strikes from Matt Dudley and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (2) secured all three points at Adie Moran Park.

Playing in familiar red, the home side started brightly as they pressed hard, their best chance came as Sambezi wriggled into the box before unleashing a near-post snapshot headed for the top until Brad Rose responded with a fine save.

Prestwich at this stage were first to many of the fifty-fifty challenges and creating a series of threatening moves although limited to long range speculative efforts.  Rams were grateful to Maine Walder and Scott Sephton for the early reading of danger and enabling the blue shirted Rams to transition upfield.

Their threat, however, was limited to a loud call for a foul on the edge of the box which the referee waved away after Jacob Holland-Wilkinson appeared to be dragged to the floor when though on goal.

An unremarkable first half as the teams went in goalless.

As play resumed, the pattern continued with dramatic action in short supply.  Last season however, Steve Wilkes’ use of substitutes changed the course of the game at Adie Moran Park – and the same was to happen again.

On the hour Wilkes rang the changes bringing off the outstanding Scott Sephton, recovering from a lengthy injury, and bringing on Oscar Radcliffe allowing for a more expansive shape and style.  

Suddenly chances were being created down right with Holland-Wilkinson linking up well. On sixty-five minutes he robbed a defender of the ball and accelerated into space. Rather than shoot he unselfishly laid the ball across the box to supporting strike partner Matt Dudley who reacted quickly and emphatically planted the ball past keeper White to finish with relish to the delight of all in attendance of a blue persuasion.

Buoyed by the crucial breakthrough the Rams started to wrest control of the midfield and it wasn’t long before the second goal arrived.

Whereas Holland-Wilkinson had been provider, this time he did the work of on his own.  Latching on to a long ball upfield, he produced a searing sprint forward before taking out the weight off the ball with a long-range floating shot over ‘keeper White. Fans of both sides watched enthralled as the ball sailed, as if in slow motion, with inevitability into the far corner – before bulging the netting and igniting an eruption of delight from the Ultras behind.

Scoring after only two minutes on his debut, Holland-Wilkinson has been a revelation this season and enjoyed the moment.

The young striker, however, hadn’t finished his afternoon’s work. Three minutes from time he received a driven ball from Luke Barlow and controlled it in an instant.  Sprinting forwards, he still had much to do – although few travelling fans doubted the outcome. Striding into the box, Holland-Wilkinson took a half sidestep to create space and then unleashed a hard rasping shot which flew past White for the most emphatic of finishes.  Clearly relishing his football, he enjoyed the goal, the most wonderful of strikes, along with supporters and teammates.

It’s not just the goals – an astonishing seventeen so far – which make this talented young player so special, but the variety and confident manner of dispatch, which are making him such a pleasure to watch.

Prestwich, who provided good opposition with their pleasant passing style and good-natured fans, made this an enjoyable an authentic football occasion although the superior class pulled the visitors through.  

News came in that Rams were once more top of the league, and raucous singing, including their unique feel-good anthem, could be heard from the visiting dressing rooms as fans filed away.

The soul of football is very much in evidence at Prestwich whose officials took their defeat with good grace and advised ‘don’t let it slip away’ to visiting supporters.

One consolation for their spirited team is that they don’t have to face Ramsbottom United again this season.