RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0, GLOSSOP NORTH END 2: Following the frustration of having their previous match postponed, the Rams crashed to a disappointing North West Counties League First Division defeat against a determined Glossop side.

The most disappointing aspect was the distinct lack of chances, and on the rare occasion poor finishing severely let the hosts down.

The main culprit was new signing Christian Evans who had a nightmare debut in front of goal and struggled to come to terms with the standard, having recently signed from a local Welsh League side.

Surprisingly Derek Egan elected to change his formation to accommodate Evans, leaving wingers Matt Edgington and Adam Cook on the substitute's bench. Unfortunately this tactical change failed miserably

Despite the poor performance from the Rams only a dominant performance from away goalkeeper Stuart Williams prevented a very different score line.

The visitors made the perfect start when after only five minutes they opened the scoring through their leading scorer Garry Kharas.

A free kick from the left was floated into the six yard box and the in-form striker rose well to nod home a free header beyond the motionless figure of Mark Andrews. The home side were struggling to create any meaningful chances although their aspirations improved after 24 minutes when Glossop defender Andy Weardon was sent off for an off-the-ball incident involving Ramsbottom striker Michael Saunders.

Evans had a glorious chance to equalise after 41 minutes when a nice move involving Gareth Brooks and Matt Walsh enabled the tall striker the opportunity to slide the ball beyond Williams, but he failed to hit the target from 12 yards.

The second half began with the Rams looking to get back on level terms and Evans was unlucky to see a 25-yard effort fly marginally wide of the upright.

Following a mix-up involving Williams and Danny Yates, the striker was presented with a glorious chance to fire the ball into the empty net, but his failure to do capped a disappointing display from the debutant.

Although down to ten men the visitors defended admirably, restricting the Riversiders to long range attempts that Williams dealt with comfortably.

As the clock ticked down, the introduction of Edgington sparked the home side into life and another miss by Evans from eight yards highlighted the problems in front of goal.

The best chance came from a solo effort from Edgington after he cut infield and unleashed a powerful drive from outside the box that rebounded off the post and away to safety.

This typified the fortune in the home camp and as the hosts pushed forward desperate for an equaliser, the killer blow was dealt in stoppage time when Andrews became involved in a defensive mix-up and allowed Darren Hamilton the opportunity to round the stranded keeper and slide the ball into the empty net.

The Rams threw away a golden opportunity to reduce the gap between the leading trio of teams and only have themselves to blame for such a woeful display.

They will have to improve drastically as they face a tough end to February, starting with another difficult encounter away at Skelmersdale on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

CHRIS BOOTHMAN