Fired-up Town steam on

TOWN'S win on Saturday, their fourth in succession means that they now can finish no lower than eighth in the North Western Trains league top flight and with four games still to go there's chance to climb higher.

Their 'whistle stop' wind-up to the season was given a literal slant at Ramsbottom on Saturday as a 'black fire' preserved steam locomotive on the adjacent line gave an echo from the past as Town made their mark on the present.

The game produced five goals and five-star entertainment as Town overturned an interval deficit to complete a good week's work after earlier beating Atherton LR the previous Wednesday night.

Town would not have been behind at the break but for some fine work by Paul Horridge in the 'Rammy' goal who produced one breathtaking save from Hill's 28th minute power drive to supplement other good saves from Griffiths, O'Neill and Hill.

Some over-elaboration also caused frustration to set in as Town chased Ramsbottom's 14th minute opener when Robinson headed home from Orrell's left wing cross while 'Rammy's' other noteworthy efforts were an early Orrell shot which Allison appeared to see late, and a Brennan blast which Town's Phoenix thankfully took the pace off.

Early United pressure after the restart saw Fogarty and Robinson have efforts deflected for corners which were capably dealt with by the excellent Kirwan with good support from Reilly and Quirk before Town struck with two goals in three minutes. Bryan Griffiths was the scorer on both occasions with side footers into an empty net after good build-up by O'Neill, Hill and Bickerstaffe had caused keeper and co-defenders to get into a right tangle.

On 65 minutes Horridge produced another fine save to deny Laird at point blank range as Town sought to put the issue beyond doubt but plucky Ramsbottom hung in there until levelling in the 73rd minute when Booth drilled inside the far post after Allison had initially done well to keep out Orrell's volley.

This lifted the hosts and the entertainment continued as Allison got down smartly to cut out Orrell's cross having cut along the by line. A minute later Bickerstaffe was denied by another fine block by keeper Horridge then Pennington came off the bench to poke wide when clear with his first touch.

Town were again asking the questions and with twelve minutes left they got the winner when Bickerstaffe did superbly to get around the back on the right and when his cross came over, Gary Laird bulleted an unstoppable header past Horridge from close range.

This Saturday Town meet Atherton Colls at Hoghton Road, 3pm in what is their penultimate home game. A local derby against Prescot Cables on Bank Holiday Monday brings down the Hoghton Road curtain but Town are involved in two crucial away games at Workington (May 1) and Vauxhall GM (May 5) both of whom are making a late charge for the title.

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