RAMSBOTTOM UTD...5

ATHERTON LR...2

NWCFL First Division

IT'S a pity Atherton Town don't play in the NWCFL, because then Rammy would have the opportunity to beat all three Atherton teams, after this victory over Laburnum Rovers followed hot on the heels of the defeat of Collieries four days earlier

The Rams set out with an unchanged line-up, apart from Danny Heys returning for the injured Liam Boden, and basically outclassed their rivals in all departments.

Atherton welcomed back star striker Ben Obong into their line-up after a brief spell with St.Helens Town, and after scoring a first half hat-trick against the Rams in the postponed match, fancied his chances of adding to his already impressive goal tally.

However, the Rams had other ideas.

They insisted on pressurising the Atherton players from the first whistle, depriving them of time and space and thus limiting the service to Obong and his fellow strike partner.

And it was no surprise when the Rams took the lead on 24 minutes. Matt Swailes was found in space on the edge of the box, and after beating one defender he fired a low drive underneath the diving Colin Flood in the Atherton goal.

The home side continued to play attractive football and their efforts were rewarded again on the half hour mark when Lee Buggie slid the ball beyond the diving Flood, after Iain Dyson's persistence had set him up.

Minutes later the home fans were sent into raptures when a Swailes cross fell kindly to Dyson just inside the 18 yard box, and he smashed home into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

Another Buggie effort was then cleared off the line, although it was Atherton who created the final chance of the half, Obong shooting straight at Paul Horridge.

The Rams began the second half as they had finished the first. On 48 minutes Gareth Gardiner received the ball on the left wing and after cutting inside a couple of defenders, he unleashed a low drive from the edge of the penalty area that nestled just inside the right hand post.

At 4-0 the Rams began to sit back and hold on to their lead, although credit to Atherton who fought back well and gained two consolation goals for their efforts.

On 58 minutes Horridge brought down an Atherton player inside the penalty box, giving referee Hilton no option but to award a spot kick which Obong duly converted.

Then on 69 minutes a free kick was floated to the back post, and Jason Kay was left unmarked to nod home a simple header from inside the 6-yard box.

After a period of Atherton pressure, in which Jordan Rispen marshalled the Rams defence well, the Rams killed off any hopes Atherton had of a comeback, by scoring the goal of the game with a minute to go.

Another Gardiner run resulted in a glorious chip beyond Flood that found the back of the net to seal what was an impressive nights work.

Although promotion maybe out of the question, a top ten place is still well within reach of a side that appears to have rediscovered its confidence and self-belief.

RAMS: Horridge, Raywood, Walsh, Rispen, Stewraty, Dyson, G.Gardiner, Clark, Buggie, Swailes, Heys. Subs: D.Gardiner (for Swailes), Saunders (for Buggie), Goodall (for Heys)