NWCFL DIVISION ONE

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2

FLEETWOOD FREEPORT...0

THE Rams went into their first game of thew season looking to end a sequence of your opening day defeats since their promotion to Division One in 1997.

The first ten minutes failed to provide anything of note, but on 11 minutes the visitors missed the chance to take the lead when John Riches shot wide from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the penalty area.

Both sides gave the ball away with alarming regularity and consequently struggled to find any sort of rhythm, although Freeport looked the more dangerous.

Four minutes before the interval the Rams finally had something to shout about as Mark Hayes' beautifully struck shot flew into the Freeport net to give them a 1-nil lead they hardly deserved.

Half time Rams 1, Fleetwood Freeport 0.

At the start of the second half, Ramsbottom brought on Brenden O'Shaughnessy in mid-field at the expense of Chris Lomas, but it was the visitors who made the running as they searched for an equalizer.

Fleetwood pressed forward and Jason Weller got in a strong 30 yard run before his final shot was charged behind for a corner kick. The flag-kick was only half cleared and Steve Newtons fierce drive wasn't for off target. Dangerman Riches then caused the Rams defence to trouble Keith Nield.

United looked disjointed with several players lacking full fitness, but they continued to hold their slender lead against an energetic but far from, impressive Fleetwood side.

Further Ramsbottom substitutes saw David Yorke-Robinson and Paul Cameron join the action but the lacklustre performance rumbled on, then the game just into stoppage time, Russell Brierley, made it two nil -- Phil Porter played a fine ball into the danger area where Brierley got in front of his marker to score with a clinical finish.

That wrapped up the three points and ended those first game defeats but the performance left manager Mike Kelly, far from pleased and things will need to get much better if the Rams are build on their success of the last two seasons.

Nield (6), Porter (7), Langhorn (6), Thomas (6), Morris (6) Wallace (5), Brennan (6), Goodall (5), Brierley (7), Hayes (6), Lomas (5).

Subs: O'Shauhnessy (6) for Thomas 47 mins, York Robinson (6) for Hayes 70 mins; Cameron for Goodall 76 mins.

Next home game at the Riverside is on Tuesday, August 28, Kick off 7.45pm v Flixton.

On Saturday Ramsbottom visit Atherton LR kick off 3pm.