RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2

NELSON...3

Marsden Lancashire Challenge Trophy Round Two

WHAT a difference three weeks can make!

Following the unfortunate FA Vase exit before Christmas the Rams had a real chance to progress in the Marsden Trophy after being handed a home tie against Nelson, a team who are a league below them in the non-league pyramid.

However, in reality this was a dismal performance from a side that is capable of great things.

The terms 'lethargic' and 'defensively inept' spring to mind when describing their display and only the individual brilliance of striker Lee Buggie and a dubious decision kept the scoreline respectable.

Despite the poor performance the Rams did have several chances to win the game themselves but again, like many other games, it was the opposition who seemed to have more desire and determination.

The pattern of the game was established in the opening 10 minutes when the lively Craig Bradshaw was presented with a chance after some lacklustre defending from Ged Walsh.

He made no mistake by firing past Rams' keeper Paul Horridge.

Another disturbing fact was that Horridge is, in fact, the sixth goalkeeper that United have employed so far this season.

The Rams did come back well from this early setback and chances fell to both Gareth Gardiner and Buggie but they were thwarted by the diminutive figure of Billy Carrington in the Nelson goal.

Following a marginal offside decision at the other end, which had led to Nelson having the ball in the back of the net, the Rams got on level terms with a rather dubious equaliser.

Danny Heys created some space and crossed for Buggie who stooped to put in a firm header that crashed against the underside of the bar and away to apparent safety.

To the amazement of both the players and supporters the assistant referee felt he had to repeat the farcical goal at Watford last Saturday and signalled a goal despite the ball clearly not crossing the line.

The Rams went in at half time much the happier with the Nelson players feeling aggrieved at not being in front.

The second half began with the Rams trying to exert some pressure on the visitors' goal but a floated shot by Danny Goodall that was tipped onto the crossbar was all they had to show for their efforts.

Nelson regained the initiative after 54 minutes, when, following good work from Berry, Andrew Bennett was left in acres of space to calmly slot beyond the diving Horridge.

The individual class of Buggie appeared to be the only hope for the Rams to get back into the match and he duly delivered his second of the night on the hour.

A jinking run ended in a fierce shot that caught Carrington in no-mans-land.

Nelson always looked capable of scoring and after slack defending from both Walsh and Raywood went in front for the third time of the night thanks to a cool finish from the impressive Bradshaw.

This was the killer blow as far as the Rams were concerned and they could only muster one more effort on goal, a shot from Buggie in the dying minutes that went agonisingly wide.

On the whole it was a very disappointing performance and maybe Vince Overson will have identified one or two problem areas that will need to be quickly addressed in the coming weeks.

After back-to-back away trips in the league to Glossop North End and Newcastle Town, the Rams will be focusing their attentions on the League Cup quarter final against more local rivals in Great Harwood Town.

RAMS: Horridge 5, Raywood 5, Goodall 6, Stewart 6, Walsh 4, Dyson 6, Gardiner 5, Smith, 5, Buggie 8, Swailes 6, Heys 6. Subs: Gardiner (for Heys) 6; Langhorn (for Gardiner) 5.