Ramsbottom v Stockport Georgians - 26/11/24 - Post Match Report

The Macron cup on Tuesday, and a pitch deemed fit to play after a torrential rainwater had drained away.

The surface held up well as Ramsbottom United fielded an experimental line- up, boasting eight chances changes from the team which started at West Didsbury on Saturday. Steve Wilkes also rotating positions with Tom Hoyle playing in central defence.

Unsurprisingly, it was a tentative start from the home team with squad players getting valuable minutes in a competitive environment, and the first half display was unconvincing as the team in blue struggled to find its usual fluid patterns of play. 

Rams did create isolated chances, not least after about 35 minutes, when Henry Ogunby was able to fire a shot from just inside the box which beat the keeper hit the inside of the post, and rolled across the line, before being cleared to safety.

Stockport, playing in red, kept their shape, but their prolific centre forward, Lucas Berry, who has notched an impressive 23 goals in 25 starts this season, came off injured prior to the break.

Half time came with a nil-nil scoreline, and the crowd wondering how the team would break down the visitors.

In the second half Ram notably upped the tempo with more urgency evident in their passing - and did create a series of chances.

Stockport defended with resolve however and, with the prospect of penalties looming, may have been looking to them as the best means of progressing.  Anticipating this, Steve Wilkes kept his powder dry with plenty of options available from a strong bench.

It was deployed to good effect in the latter stages, and it was the old hands who were to win the match.  On 78 minutes, Harvey Hayhurst, who had just come on, tore down the left-hand side, before delivering a teasing low cross into the box. Oumar Cámara, his fellow substitute, read it, slid in to reach the ball with a somewhat scuffed connection - which was strong enough to beat Morgan Piper in goal and end up in the back of the net.

A scruffy finish very much in keeping with the match, to win a game which, in truth, will not long live in the memory of those supporters who braved the cold misty conditions to watch their team.

  RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Rose, Ogunby, Khan(Radcliffe 76mins), Baker(Whyte 72mins), Meadowcroft, Hoyle, McWilliams, Tinker, Uppal(Camara 67mins), Turner(Hayhurst 76mins), Evans(Carter 85mins)