MARSDEN TROPHY ROUND ONE: Colne 2 - Ramsbottom United 5

RAMSBOTTOM'S lack of firepower up front was temporarily forgotten as five different players gave United a handsome win at Colne.

However it was the North West Counties League Second Division side who were fired up from the word go and striker George Craddock was booked after just four minutes following a dreadful challenge on David Yorke-Robinson.

Ramsbottom took the lead on ten minutes when goalkeeper Ross Baxter turned Jamie Taylor's shot behind for a corner.

Steve Orrell headed the flag kick back across goal for Stephen Sheil to plant a firm header into the Colne net.

Yorkie then drove a free-kick over the top After Steve Brennan had been fouled just outside the box.

Debutant striker Paul Mashiter opened the Colne defence, but Baxter easily saved Brad Franks' shot.

Colne produced some good, attacking football and twice tested Allan Fairbrother in the United goal.

A fine four-man Ramsbottom move saw Brennan pull the ball back for Franks, who hit a blistering drive past Baxter to make it 2-0.

The goal came on 33 minutes and, immediately afterwards, Ramsbottom almost added a third, but this time Baxter made a marvellous save from another Franks' strike.

Ramsbottom finished the first 45 minutes well in control and good value for their two-goal lead.

The Rams opened the second half on the attack and had an early chance or two to finish Colne off with a third goal.

It was the home side, however, who found the net on 53 minutes when Paul Fyldes scored with a simple header at the back post.

Within minutes it was all square when substitute goalkeeper Damien Rooney miskicked and Chris Ingham had an easy task in finding the empty net.

Having unexpectedly drawn level, Colne now played their best football of the night and Ramsbottom had some defending to do to keep level.

With around ten minutes remaining Mashiter raced into the box and was brought down by Baxter. The penalty award incensed the Colne players and the game was held up for some time, but Yorke-Robinson kept his cool and made no mistake from the penalty spot. From the kick-off Franks put in a strong challenge on a Colne player that brought him a yellow card, Colne defender Gareth West became involved and was sent off.

Excellent play between Mashiter and substitute Chris Lomas set up Orrell, who restored the Rams' two-goal lead.

In the final minute Taylor bent a 20-yard free-kick into the top ornwer of the Colne net to round off the scoring.

As the players left the field at the end two or three Colne players also received red cards.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Fairbrother 7, Ormes 6, Mocheke 7, Sheil 7, Goodall 7, Brennan 7, Franks 7, Taylor 7, Yorke-Robinson 7, Orrell 7, Mashiter 7. Substitutes: Rooney (for Fairbrother, 46 mins) 6, Porter (for Ormes, 65) 7, Lomas (for Franks, 82 mins). Not used: Horne.

Tomorrow Ramsbottom are away to Warrington Town and on Tuesday next are away to Prescot Cables.