Rams v St Helens 9, August 2025

Ramsbottom United have made a promising start to the season but St Helens won at the Riverside last season.

The visitors playing in red started brightly with a series of incisive sharp passing moves turning the Rams defence with hard driven crosses flashing across the box. The home side was grateful to Brad Rose as ponderous defending allowed a fierce close range shot which he arced down upon and used the impetus of his dive to force the ball out for a corner and keep out what looked a certain opener after only three minutes.

Encouraged, the blue-shirted home side started to force the pace themselves with a series of nice passing moves instigated by Corey Stacey and Maine Walder. The deep lying Luke Sephton, identified as a danger man by the opposition, became the target for some rough treatment with two opponents drawing cards for fouls on him.

Harvey Hayhurst was enjoying a free reign as the Rams stepped up the tempo. It was no surprise when, on 27 minutes, Hayhurst whipped in a dangerous cross which was read once more by Matt Dudley on the run. He had the simple task of nudging the ball across the goal line for the simplest of finishes and to the delight of the home crowd.

Rams continue to press but needed to be wary as St Helens constantly probed with well weighted through balls. As half time approached one of them saw Rose exposed as the forward sprinted around him. With the angle tightening a fierce shot was fired in goalwards but rapped against the post and the danger averted.

Half time arrived with the home side goal to the good and home fans wishing for more of the same.

St Helens however had other ideas and rang the changes, bringing fresh legs and energy.  

The visitors took hold of the game, creating a series of dangerous attacks down at the right. Rams looked to have weathered the storm before a soft equaliser conceded a dangerous low through ball once more left Rose exposed. It looked as though he had saved it at full stretch but the ball spin free, allowing Tom McNamara to step around him and tap into an empty net - as if in slow motion.

Rose responded well with a couple of excellent saves. One a hard low effort following another one on one was saved on the ground with his feet showed great composure and remarkable reaction speed.

The Rams eventually made substitutions but couldn't really alter the pattern as hit and hope balls into the air and rushed clearances had long replaced the slick passing of the first half.

With the usual midfield Fulcrum of Walker and Baker both missing the Rams may wish to address their resorting to aimless punts and especially as to why the energy appeared to drain once the opposition started to impose themselves.  St Helens deserved their point. The muted home supporters could console themselves that the result bettered last season’s smash and grab defeat and take points from competitors.