North West Counties League

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...0

CLITHEROE...2

DESPITE being anchored in 17th place, the Rams will have a huge say in the destination of the First Division title, facing two of the top three teams within the space of five days, the first being long-time leaders Clitheroe on Tuesday night at the Riverside.

Lying in third spot before this game, Clitheroe were two points behind leaders Mossley. Unfortunately for the Rams, by the time the game was over they had regained top spot.

"We were gutted to lose that one," said Rams' boss Vince Overson.

"I thought we had the majority of the possession but unfortunately the woodwork twice prevented us from getting something out of the game.

"I was disappointed with Clitheroe. I realise they just wanted the win and weren't bothered how they got it, but it's the first game this season we've ran out of footballs during a game, they just belted it anywhere all night.

"But I must thank the Mossley supporters for cheering us on. I know they were only on loan for the night but they added greatly to the atmosphere."

Indeed, with the game assuming so much importance it attracted a large number of fans from both clubs, swelling Rammy's dwindling band of supporters to a level even chairman Harry Williams would have smiled at.

Despite being deprived of the services of Matt Swailes, Mark Stewart, Gareth Gardiner and Micky Saunders, and fielding just two substitutes (one of them former manager Andy Grimshaw), the home side looked up for the challenge, and Paul Eatock in goal looked to be in confident mood when he raced off his line to block a Lee Cryer snap shot in the sixth minute.

Two minutes later Ged Walsh beat the Blues' defence to flick on a well delivered Chris Clarke free kick, but it fizzed inches wide.

On 10 minutes Dave Gardiner's shot hit a defender and was deflected inches wide. From the resulting corner, Lee Buggie Blasted over.

But the visitors almost took the lead on 12 minutes, when Eatock mispunched a corner, and the ball fell kindly for Gary Jackson, whose shot was calmly cleared off the line by a switched-on Luke Hardman.

Despite that near miss Rammy were battling for everything, were generally first to the ball, and appeared determined to get a result.

On 21 minutes Eatock produced another marvellous diving save to thwart Cryer's header, but seven minutes later Dr Jeckyll became Mr Hyde, when Eatock was at fault for Clitheroe's opener.

Deciding to jump up for an up-and-under punt, he fumbled the ball and Jackson was in the perfect place to pounce on the opportunity to bury it in the bottom left-hand corner.

On the half-hour mark Rammy exerted some intense pressure on the Clitheroe goal, with Clarke's thunderous free kick punched out for a corner by Clitheroe keeper Kris Ritchens.

Two more flag kicks followed within a minute, but Rammy couldn't get the touch they needed and Lee Buggie blasted wide.

On 38 minutes Jackson, a thorn in Rammy's side all game, raced clear of marker Jordan Rispen but shot wide with only Eatock to beat.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Cryer had an opportunity to double his side's lead, but Eatock got down well to his low drive.

Despite finding themselves a goal down, Rammy had taken the game to the title chasers and had the majority of the possession, and perhaps with a more stringent referee would have had a string of free kicks, as Clitheroe's defending was at times Neanderthal.

At the other end, Jackson in particular, was proving a handful, but most of his chances were created by long balls downfield out of defence.

Gardiner twice tried his luck from the edge of the Clitheroe box within five minutes of the restart, but couldn't quite get on target.

As if to highlight those misses, Jackson netted his and Clitheroe's second on 63 minutes.

A quickly taken free- kick just inside the visitors' half caught the Rammy defence napping, and when the ball was fired out wide to the left, Martin Aspinall's pace was too much for the Rams' defence, and his measured cross was volleyed home by Jackson.

Rammy thought they'd pulled one back on 70 minutes when Clarke's 30-yard free-kick hit a post and rebounded to a Clitheroe defender, who hammered the ball into the Irwell.

Three minutes later Hardman thought he'd scored, but his header smacked back into play off the crossbar, as Clitheroe, like the ironwork, looked rattled.

But the visitors' long-ball game gradually began to wear Rammy down, and despite battling on it was Clitheroe who almost snatched a third three minutes into stoppage time, but Cryer's low drive from edge of the box was well saved by the Eatock.

Victory saw Clitheroe leapfrog Mossley back into top spot with a point advantage.

Tomorrow, Rammy travel to Seel Park to take on Mossley who have to win to have any chance of pipping Clitheroe to the title.

"I've said ever since I arrived that on our day we can beat any team in this league, and after pushing Clitheroe close I really believe we can beat Mossley, we just need that bit of luck that deserted us on Tuesday night," said Overson.

The only addition he is likely to have tomorrow is Gareth Gardiner.

But if they play anything like they did on Tuesday, and have that bit of luck Overson craves, the championship trophy will surely be heading to Shawbridge.

RAMSBOTTOM: Eatock, Raywood, Walsh, Rispen, Boden, Hardman, Smith, Clarke, Buggie, D.Gardiner, Goodall. Subs: McCool, Grimshaw.