Fleetwood Freeport 4, Ramsbottom Utd 1

THE blustery conditions and a bumpy playing surface did neither side any favours but Ramsbottom made a good start with new signing Francis Baughan prominent in midfield.

Darren Bowman tested home keeper Kevin Roskell with a well struck free kick and then was only a couple of yards wide with a shot from the edge of the box.

Freeport's aggressive play often went unchecked by the referee but on 28 minutes an appallingly late challenge on Baughan left the referee with no option but to red card left back Paul Brown.

Five minutes later Ramsbottom were also reduced to ten men when the unlucky Danny Goodall was sent off for two bookable offences, neither of which appeared to warrant a free kick let alone a caution.

Ramsbottom still had the edge and twice struck the woodwork but two minutes before the break Pete Smith gave Fleetwood the lead.

Eight minutes into the second half defender Mike Smith was clearly fouled by what can only be described as a forearm smash by Stuart Diggle. The ball fell to Graham Taylor who made it 2-0. In spite of Ramsbottom's strong protests the goal was allowed to stand.

Following this setback Ramsbottom looked completely disorganised and a mistake by Neil Wallace allowed Diggle to run clear to make it 3-0. Rams substitute Gareth Gardiner rattled the Fleetwood crossbar but Smith grabbed his second of the night to make it 4-0.

Russell Brierley pulled one back for the Rams in the final minute but after a promising opening to the game the second 45 minutes turned out to be a nightmare.