Glossop N.E. 0 Ramsbottom United 3

RAMPANT Ramsbottom fully deserved the three NWTL Division One points after their superb all-round team performance spelt the end for North End long before the final whistle sounded.

Former Burnley YTS player Richard Foggarty showed up well for Ramsbottom as the visitors dominated the first half hour.

Ramsbottom took a deserved lead on 36 minutes through Steve Brennan, and four minutes later it was 2-0.

Russell Brierley fired into the top corner, leaving Glossop keeper Andy Merrick helpless.

As the first half moved into its final minutes, Glossop pushed forward but the Ramsbottom defence, with Carl Trimble, Alex Jones and Warren Brierley in excellent form, efficiently mopped-up the pressure.

Glossop launched a second half assault in a bid to get back into a game in which they had always been second best, but it was the Rams who almost went three up when Russell Brierley outpaced the home defence to feed Steve Strange, whose powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area flew a foot over.

North End became increasingly frustrated and the game threatened to boil over.

On 65 minutes, Glossop were reduced to 10 men after Kevin O'Connor was sent off after striking out at Warren Brierley.

Martin Hulme was a constant thorn in Glossop's side, but it was Steve Orrell who notched the final goal on 85 minutes after good work by young Foggarty.

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