Ramsbottom United...3 Colne...1

THE Rams savoured success in the Worthington Trophy as they put the pressures of the league behind them for a week.

In very wet and windy conditions, United dominated the early stages and in the 10th minute Danny Goodall almost caught the Colne keeper out with a deep cross that just cleared the right-hand upright.

Ramsbottom's dominance finally paid off in the 22nd minute when a Goodall corner was turned into the net at the second attempt by Jordan Rispen.

Colne began to claw their way back into the game and a good opportunity was lost when Gavin Richards shot way over the top from 18 yards out.

The Rams went 2-0 ahead in the 37th minute when Brown's attempted pass on the edge of the six-yard area was turned into the net by a Colne defender.

It was getting increasingly difficult for both sides to play football on a very heavy pitch, but the Rams deserved their 2-0 half-time lead.

Colen dominated at the start of the second half and Marsh in the Ramsbottom goal had to make two fine saves from Paul Barrett.

On 51 minutes a header from Ged Walsh almost produced an own goal, but Marsh somehow managed to pull out another great stop and turned the ball round a post.

Ramsbottom hit back immediately and a great ball from Carl McCoy sent Russell Brierley away. He made no mistake as he registered United's third goal of the afternoon.

He had the ball in the net again in the 74th minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Colne got themselves back into the game on 76 minutes when George Craddock turned the ball into the net following a quickly taken short corner.

Colne gave it their best shot as they battled for a second goal, but Ramsbottom ran out comfortable winners and will be hoping this confidence-boosting victory will help lift them in the league too.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Marsh, Potter, McCoy, Rispen, Walsh, Bullwich, Bowden, Brown, Brierley, Lomax, Goodall. Substitutes: Walker (for Brown, 70 minutes), Franks (for Bowden, 80 minutes), Blore (for Lomax, 85 mins).