Mossley v Ramsbottom United

... a lovely spring day - sun shining - large crowd (swelled by the "£5 in" offer no doubt) - fourth playing fifth ... all set up for a fascinating 90 minutes ...

Ramsbottom started like a house on fire, and Mossley were soon forced onto the back foot ... the "Golden Goal" came after just 6 minutes when Gaskell unleashed a wonderful curling effort into the top corner.  Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Gaskell got up first to a corner to hit the target.  Between these two goals, Mossley were denied a blatant penalty when Chris Denham was upended on the edge of the box - and it was time for the self-perceived "Star of the Show" to make his early mark - Denham was booked for "diving" by Referee Haycock ... and then it got worse ...

Mossley had started to play themselves back into the game a bit - the early "Ramsbottom Rush" had calmed down somewhat - as had the Mossley defence.  However ... just before half-time Denham was clattered in the back - and the ref pulled out both yellow and red cards.  In the ensuing melee, I like a few others thought it was the Rambsbottom Number 8 Lee Stopforth who had been given his marching orders - but no ... it was Denham ... an unbelievable decision - you HAD to be there.  So Mossley down 2-0 and down to 10 men - what might have been an interesting second 45 minutes had been completely ruined by some totally inept officiating.

Any hope of a comeback was truly scuppered 10 minutes into the second half when Spencer made it 3-0 to the visitors and soon after it was 4-0.  As if the ref hadn't done enough damage to the game he then produced another red card for Mossley's Sam Madeley - OK retaliation, but the Rammy player wasn't even booked ... Danny Broadbent smacked one against the bar for the home side, but the damage had been well and truly done.

Take nothing away from Ramsbottom - fast, skilful and direct, causing Mossley all sorts of problems all over the pitch ... well-deserved winners in the end.  However the game was ruined as a spectacle by a completely useless referee.  Eleven against eleven at the start of the second half may have given Mossley a chance to pull it back - but no, this clown wanted to be the real centre of attention - and he succeeded admirably.  

Pictures from the game at

Mossley 0 Ramsbottom United 4

The result means that even if Mossley win their remaining two games (Harrogate RA away next week and at home the week after) they are not guaranteed a top 5 finish - they're now dependent on the other teams dropping points.  Fortunately (for Mossley anyway !!!) a number of those other teams (Trafford, New Mills, Ramsbottom and most importantly Cammell Laird) have still to play each other.  On Tuesday for example  Cammell Laird are at home to Champions Skelmersdale United - let's hope Skem don't take their foot off the pedal.  On the same night Rammy and New Mills have tricky away games at Prescot and Radcliffe respectively.  Next Saturday New Mills travel to Clitheroe and Ramsbottom entertain Trafford.  Best not to look much beyond that for now ....

Hope Mr HayCOCK slept well last night ...
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