FREE-SCORING Ramsbottom United could field the same XI for the seventh game running when they host Halesowen Town in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division tomorrow.

The Rams are the leading scores in the league so far this season with 39 in 18 games and are unbeaten in their last seven matches, six of them wins.

And joint-manager Anthony Johnson believes consistency in selection has played a hige part in the newly-promoted side’s rise to third in the table.

He said: “We had won six on the bounce until Tuesday night when we drew with Workington and in the last six games we have fielded the same starting XI. I think that has helped us because the players know that if they are playing well and we are winning games then they will keep their places.”

The Rams haven’t failed to score since early September and Johnson believes the chance conversion rate, coupled with an improvement at the back, means his side can stay among the leading pack.

He said: “We were top scorers in the division below last season and we are top scorers again at the moment. That is because we are set up to create chances and play attacking football. The flip side of that is that the opposition tend to get a lot of chances as well.

“We were conceding a lot of goals in the opening few games but we have kept a few clean sheets recently and so hopefully everything is coming together.”

Johnson’s side will be favourites against mid-table Halesowen but the Rams chief is wary of the threat The Yeltz will pose.

“We are in a great position but we are not getting carried away,” said Johnson. “Halesowen are further down the table than us but they have actually lost fewer games so we know it will be a tough game.

“This league is full of hard-working sides and Halesowen are no different. It will be a physical test but we won’t change our approach. We will set up to win the game and score goals.”

Jordan Hulme was on target for the Rams in midweek when he levelled seven minutes from the end in the 1-1 draw with Workington.

In Division One North, Clitheroe host Salford City with a bumper crowd expected at Shawbridge given the visitors’ association with the Class of ’92.

Simon Garner’s hosts will be focused on themselves though as they look to bounce back from a 3-1 midweek defeat to Bamber Bridge. Richard Burns had given the Blues the lead early on but the home side hit back to seal the points.

Padiham travel to Ossett Albion.