Ramsbottom United 6 Winsford United 0

RAMSBOTTOM got a much-needed confidence booster after just three minutes.

Winsford defender Chris Pollitt misplaced a back pass and Russell Brierley cashed in to score with ease.

Winsford enjoyed good possession, with ex-Morecamber midfielder David Lowe prominent and at the centre of things.

However, they never seriously threatened the home goal and Rams central defenders Mark Thomas and Stephen Sheil gave nothing away.

Two swift counter-attacks had Winsford back-pedalling and goalkeeper Matthew Conkie was in action, cutting out a couple of left-wing crosses from Danny Goodall.

David Yorke-Robinson then tested Conkie with a fierce drive and Brierley wasn't far away with an angled shot that finished in the side netting.

Just before the interval Ramsbottom went two in front when Jamie Taylor won the ball in midfield, found Yorke-Robinson, who released Brierley and the number nine shot past the advancing Conkie.

After a fairly bright opening 20 minutes the experienced Winsford side, including former Everton player Kevin Langley, looked far from happy as they left the field for the half-time break.

Six minutes into the second half the Rams got a third, Taylor delivered a great cross into the Winsford penalty area, the visitors failed to clear and Yorke-Robinson rifled in a stunning drive from 17 yards that gave Conkie no chance at all.

Brierley's pace was a real problem for Winsford and on 57 minutes he outstripped the defence headed the ball past the onrushing Conkie, who brought him crashing to the ground a yard inside the penalty area. Conkie received the yellow card, Brierley picked himself up and completed his hat-trick as he despatched the spot kick into the back of the Winsford net.

With a 4-0 lead, Ramsbottom really had Winsford on the rack and produced some very good football.

Phil Porter and Yorke-Robinson pressurised the Winsford defence, the ball broke to Porter who found the unmarked Brierley and the Rams' leading scorer made it 5-0 with a precise finish into the bottom corner.

With just over 15 minutes left, Brierley headed home Danny Goodall's pinpoint cross for number six.

That was the end of the scoring, but not the end of the action, for in the closing minutes inspirational goalkeeper Keith Nield produced two marvellous saves to deny Winsford a consolation goal.

Five-goal Brierley stole the show, but every player contributed to an excellent win over an experienced Winsford side who, on the night, never got to grips with a Ramsbottom team who receorded their best win of the season.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Nield 7, Porter 8, Williams 7, Thomas 8, Sheil 7, Lomas 8, Goodall 8, Taylor 7, Brierley 9, Yorke-Robinson 9, Roach 8. Substitutes: Cameron (for Roach, 59 mins) 7, Brennan (for Lomas, 68 mins) 7, Orrell (for Taylor, 77 mins).

Tomorrow Ramsbottom entertain Atherton Collieries at the Riverside (kick-off 3pm) and on Tuesday night next week Ramsbottom are home to Newcastle Town (kick-off 7.45pm).