Match Report
After a disappointing run of results in recent weeks, the 2nds were keen to get back to winning ways over rivals Chester Nomads at Moor Lane. With the sun out and a strong line up, there was optimism for a good performance and more importantly, a much needed win.
Ramblers lined up in the familiar 3-5-2 formation which has brought much success over the season thus far. Despite the uneven playing surface, Ramblers showed their true colours, starting play from the back and passing the ball effectively during the opening 10 minutes of the game. This positive start resulted in a goal from Carew who made use of the open space on the right flank and opted against crossing into the box. Instead, he curled the ball into the top left corner from the tightest of angles and from quite a distance. 1-0 up and deservedly so.
Carew’s afternoon was soon short lived as he had to leave the pitch. This, however, did not have too much impact on the team’s performance, with the team working hard on and off the ball and dominating much of the game.
Nomads sat deep in an attempt to withstand the attacking threat of the Ramblers. Gaps did begin to appear as the half progressed however, allowing several counterattack opportunities for the visiting side. Unfortunately for them, the Ramblers’ defence was more than up to the challenge, with Minton and Hall preventing any serious threats. As the half progressed, Ramblers’ enjoyed success down the two flanks. If only for a lack of concentration and execution in the final third, the scoreline may have been very different. Approaching half time, a corner kick saw Minton lose his marker and almost extend the lead with an excellent headed effort from a corner. The ball fizzed past the wrong side of the post much to the disappointment of the team and centre half. Going into the break, the 2s led by a goal to nil.
Keen to capitalise on a strong first half performance, the Ramblers’ begun the second half as they left the first. The midfield trio of Colin, Greg and Connor continued to see much of the ball and distributed well to the frontline. Finnegan worked tirelessly upfront and held the ball up well, with Ferns continuing to make runs in behind the ill-disciplined Nomads defence. Finally, the Ramblers’ struck, Mornington assisting Ferns who finished well from close range.
Nomads had the backing of the wind in the second half but otherwise had little else supporting them. Sporadic balls played forward were cut off by the solid Ramblers’ defence, with Man of the Match Russ Hall making the art of defending look very simple. This allowed Ramblers’ to continue pressing forward in search of more goals.
Ferns was again on the scoresheet, this time assisted by Biddlestone who enjoyed a busy afternoon in his second outing in the blue and gold. The midfield continued to dominate, with Greg and Connor bursting forward whilst Colin kept the game ticking over in the centre of the park.
It became one way traffic with fitness and quality overwhelming the visiting side. Finnegan was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet and deserved a goal for his work rate and hold up play. The goals kept coming however, with new recruit Connor slotting with great technique. Unsurprisingly, Mornington was soon in on the act, and finished well to register yet another goal to add to a sizeable tally for the season.
A momentary lapse in concentration allowed Nomads to score, against the run of play and much to the frustration of the Ramblers’ side which was eager to keep a clean sheet. Phipps had a solid afternoon in between the sticks and was let down by some sloppy play on the edge of the box, leaving him with no chance of preventing the ball trickling into the corner from close range.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a goal of this nature so late on, Ramblers’ ended the game with heads held high. A committed and positive performance, ending in a 5-1 victory, was the perfect response in light of recent weeks and a good benchmark for the team moving forward into the final two months of the season.