2 days ago
Jacob's double for Rams inflicts openg-day loss on LR
Atherton LR opened their NWCFL Premier Division account with a narrow 2-1 defeat to champion contenders, Ramsbottom United on Saturday.
It was a poor start by the Yellows as they went down early, with Rams winger Matt Dudley making a darting run down the wing to lay off Jacob Holland-Wilkinson who snuck a low ball through bodies and beat Joe Bickerstaffe to put the Rams ahead after just three minutes.
LR fought their way back and held out against a strong Ramsbottom push before getting their own respective chances - Tom Lawless and Cal Hunter worked well together to get balls into the box but there was some great defensive work and notable saves by Rammy keeper Brad Rose.
Ramsbottom were able to double their lead with Holland-Wilkinson again in space at the edge of the box, and he met a bouncing ball with a well-taken volley which flew past Bickerstaffe to doubled the hosts' lead.
Hunter nearly got a brilliant goal back with a free-kick just hitting the corner of the bar.
Coming back from the break, LR held the momentum with Abiola Obasoto and Harvey Brookes working well down the flank and Kieran Alley and George Chadwick on the opposite side mirroring them
Substitute Tom Romano was eventually able to grab LR's only goal - a brilliant run following a defensive error was slipped under Rose and gave the visitors some momentum into the final 20 minutes.
However, the Rams were able to hold on for a nervy win and despite the loss, LR pushed one of the league favourites all the way and have a lot to be proud off.
Manager Dave Jones showed his appreciation afterwards and said: 'I'm proud of them.. the lads were brilliant, the better side throughout the game and this is a difficult place to go.
'Ramsbottom are hard to play against, hard to beat and they wont lose many games here - they're good at what they do.'
LR return to Crilly Park on Tuesday night against South Liverpool (7.45pm).
