Late Dudley goal not enough as Ramsbottom fall to West Didsbury in Macron Cup

West Didsbury and Chorlton visited the Riverside in murky, misty and gloomy conditions on Saturday.  The Macron Cup encounter offered a chance to step away from the league action and enjoy a knock-out contest pitting the top two in the North West Counties Premier Division against each other.

On a verdant green pitch hosts Ramsbottom United started tentatively with an early foul causing an injury to Richie Baker and seeming to restrict him as the Rams struggled to put their passing game together. The nearest they came was captain Andy Teague’s shot on the turn from the edge of the box which just evaded former Ram Ollie Martin’s right hand post.

Wearing unique white shirts incorporating silhouettes of local landmarks, West reacted well to the conditions and retained their shape while driving accurate through-balls for pacey front runners to chase. They posed a threat throughout as a series of chances flashed across the Rams goal.

It was no surprise on forty minutes the visitors advanced down the left where Jordan Lazenbury confidently unleashed a long range shot which may have clipped a defender before arcing over home keeper Brad Rose to nestle in the far corner of the net.

The strike was a wonderful finish which delighted the substantial travelling away support and gave the visitors a vital breakthrough which they took into the break.

Steve Wilkes elected to bring on Luke Sephton, making his hundredth appearance for the Rams at half time but the pattern repeated itself, with the team’s usual fluid style not gelling and with moves repeatedly breaking down. Misplaced passes and unforced errors leading frustration and muting usually vociferous home support.

With the fog thickening Didsbury on the counter continued to threaten and their second arrived on fifty minutes. Space opened outside of the box as Rams tried to clear their lines and visiting striker, Jack Banister, shaped for another shot from distance. Again, it flew over Rose’s outstretched arms to find bulge the netting in front of the visiting fans for another dramatic finish.

In the closing minutes Steve Wilkes elected to try Plan B and, unusually for the Rams, a more rudimentary style with Teague pushed forwards.  It nearly paid dividends as suddenly they were playing with tempo and urgency with Teague winning a series of aerial duels and laying the ball off for teammates in support. 

The home side belatedly brought the game to life as Luke Barlow found space to crack a shot against the base of the post before another attack found Matt Dudley in the centre of the area to prod home to a roar of approval from the Ultras – with one minute plus injury time remaining.

Rams swarmed forwards with a number of chances created as the ball whistled around Ollie Martin’s goal as visiting defender Mosscrop saw red for a foul and Rams endeavored to take the game to penalties.

It was not to be. The visitors held firm and saw out the game for a two one win. It has been a long time since Rams supporters endured a home defeat but full credit to the visitors who played attractive effective football and deserved to go through.

As for the Rams,  it wasn’t their most eye-catching  performance but at least they made a fist of it in the closing minutes to bow out of the Macron Cup with all guns blazing.

With league rivals gaining ground, Ramsbottom United return to league action at local rivals Chadderton on Tuesday evening.