LFA Marsden Trophy Second round

Atherton LR...4 Ramsbottom United...5

BACK in September these two sides couldn't find a goal between them as they played out a 0-0 draw,

On Tuesday night, on a pitch that was only just playable, they produced a game that was great entertainment for the neutrals, but a nightmare for the respective managers.

The Rams almost went in front in the opening minute when the home keeper, Dave Cummins, did well to turn David Yorke-Robinson's shot behind for a corner kick. Chris Lomas delivered a deep, inswinging flag kick that eluded everybody and found the back of the net to give United the start they were looking for.

Five minutes later Yorke-Robinson was brought down in the box, referee Bailey waved play on, LR cleared the ball upfield, Mr Bailey then awarded a free-kick to the home side and former Rams' player Luke Hardman fired in the equaliser from 20 yards.

On 38 minutes Ramsbottom regained the lead when Phil Porter crossed to Russell Brierley, who glanced a header past Cummins.

With half-time just three minutes away and Ramsbottom well in control, they allowed Mark Jones to cut in from the right and score with a shot that somehow found its way past Paul Horridge. Right on the break things got worse for Horridge, who miscued his clearance to leave Mark Fitton with the easiest of chances to give Atherton an unexpected lead.

Five minutes into the second period LR made it 4-2 when Fitton clearly yards offside, was allowed to continue and shoot past the advancing Horridge.

Substitute Mike Langhorn then produced some great individual skills to set up a chance for Brierley. The No 9's shot came back of the crossbar, leaving Chris Willcock with a simple tap-in.

On the hour, Danny Goodall's well-struck free-kick was touched onto the crossbar by Cummins and from the rebound Brierley headed home the equaliser.

Ten minutes from time the Rams grabbed the winner with Langhorn again the architect as he played the ball in behind the Atherton defence.

Cummins was quick off his line to deny Brierley, the ball broke to Willcock, who made no mistake in planting the ball into the empty net.

Two minutes from time Ramsbottom were reduced to ten men when Porter was sent off for what was no more than a minor confrontation with Atherton's Anthony Smith.

After some of the things that had gone unpunished earlier in the game, it was yet another amazing decision by the referee, who confused and frustrated both players and spectators with far too many controversial decisions.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Horridge 5, Porter 6, Goodall 6, Morris 6, Sheil 6, Brennan 7, Franks 6, Lomas 6, Brierley 8, Willcock 8, Yorke-Robinson 7. Substitute: Langhorn (for Lomas, 65 mins) 8, Roach (for Morris, 70 mins) 6. Not used: Orrell, Walsh, Cameron.

Tomorrow Ramsbottom travel to Atherton Collieries for a league game (kick-off 3pm).