Back to the Riverside for the third time in a week and Euxton Villa comprised the opposition in the FA Vase, writes Charley Rattan.

It is a competition highly regarded at the Riverside with Steve Wilkes playing at advanced stages as player and a manager and no surprise therefore that the Rams put out a strong side to counter the threat from a team going well in the division below.

The first 20 minutes were even, with the visitors attractive passing style aimed at releasing their right winger, Vaughn Green, who threatened on several occasions. The home side however kept their shape, with September’s joint player of the month, Maine Walder, filling any gaps, allowing Harvey Hayhurst to maraud forwards whenever possible.

Euxton, clad in orange, were unlucky after 37 minutes when an incisive move from the left saw them cut inside and produce a shot which smashed against Brad Rose’s post, before being cleared to safety; a let off for the home side.

The Rams were themselves picking up momentum with some fine, intricate movement. Their front two play in different styles, with Oumar Camara seeming to relish being closely marked, while strike partner Tom Hoyle - the other player of the month recipient - representing perpetual motion and a nightmare for defences to pin down.

The Rams began to seize control; and on 40 minutes produced a move of absolute delight. Oumar Camara, with back to goal, received the ball about forty yards from goal and immediately backheeled the ball into the path of the alert Luke Sephton. He kept the momentum going with a short pass to find Tom Hoyle in the box about 10 yards out. Hoyle, in exceptional form, calmly stroked the ball into the corner of the net in front of the massed Rams supporters.

The masterpiece of a goal underscores the understanding that Sephton, Camara and Hoyle have developed during an intense start to the season, which leaves them five points clear at the top of the league.

Rams continued playing attractive football with Luke Sephton producing a ferocious snapshot a couple of minutes later which was heading into the top corner before producing a fine save from Lombard in the Euxton goal.

One nil at half time as the season’s anthem ‘in the summertime’ belted out from a largely short sleeved crowd - unusual given the advanced October dateline.

As the second half unfolded, the Rams continue to play attractive football as, to their credit, did Euxton. There was also rather more menace to the play with a series of eye-watering challenges and Andy Teague enduring a running battle in various set pieces throughout the match. He took a gash above the eye, with blood streaming down his face; Teague however is made of stern stuff and returned looking even more formidable with halloween-style bandaging protecting the wound.

Rams were managing the game well with a series of chances going begging. With around 10 minutes remaining, they won a free kick on the left-hand side was whipped in and headed goalwards by Camara. Lombard, the visitor’s impressive keeper, once more reacted instantly to push the ball over the top. The reprieve proved short-lived as Walder produced an in-swinging corner which found Camara stationed on the far post. He bided his time before heading the ball downwards and guiding it into the net for a deserved two-nil lead.

The closing minutes were well managed by the Rams. A series of substitutes brought on fresh legs with Wilkes only too aware of how hard the season has been for his players. Blue shirts seemed everywhere as the Rams turned on a masterclass of total passing football to book a trip to Sildsden AFC in the next round of the competitio scheduled to take place on November 9.

Manager Steve Wilkes was happy to make progress.

He said: "A really tough game against a very good Euxton Villa side who caused us problems in the first half and were unlucky not to take the lead with a strike coming back off the post.

“I think once we got in front, just before half-timer, it helped massively as we gave the players some stern words at half-time.

“Second half we were much more comfortable and in the end I was pleased with the 2-0 win.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Euxton playing in the Premier Division next season.”