Match Report
The Cheshire “field of dreams” was the scene of Ramblers most comfortable victory last season when 4 RvP goals in the first half hour ended the season on a high (albeit technically the 4th of those goals left RvP’s boot in the 29th minute and crossed the goal line in the 32nd minute). A strong and plentiful Ramblers squad assembled and changed in the dugout, an absence of changing rooms was simply that and not, as previously thought, attributable to the pandemic.
Ramblers scored first. Despite being forewarned that a match report would be required your correspondent fails to remember the order of the Ramblers goals save that Mike got one and the rest were bagged by our star striker Ste Hogan returning from his controversial loan to the Vets elite the previous week. Bagpuss had set us up with a 3-5-2 formation which, whilst showing attacking intent, meant that there was no margin for error at the back. In a taste of the controversial decisions to come, Ashton equalised after Gorton had been wrestled to the ground by the big chap who is still negotiating a complicated arrangement between Ashton and Halkyn for his services. Soon afterwards failures to clear the ball let Ashton in for a 2nd and a 3rd and the Ramblers found themselves 3-1 down. Not discouraged, the Ramblers stuck to their task, Ste was brought down in the box and converted the resultant penalty. I think Mike’s goal, a fine free kick from distance, also went in during this period. What appeared a perfectly good headed goal for Ste was ruled out for offside, before Ramblers took the lead, 4-3. However a moment of inattention in defence just before half time let the big Ashton striker back in to level.
The formation was changed to a more traditional back 4 at half time and it was that, and certainly not the change of goalkeeper (gotta keep the right side of the skip), which meant the Ramblers looked a bit more secure. The Ramblers edged ahead and then opened a 2 goal cushion with around 15 minutes left, both goals coming from Hogan. In truth it perhaps should have been more but then again 6 goals should be enough to guarantee a W. There had been a few controversial decisions going against the Ramblers from the Ashton referee in the course of the game but the last 10 minutes took things to the absurd. To paraphrase big Ron, Ramblers match reports don’t criticise referees and I won’t be making an exception for that clown. I shall merely report the facts. The ball was bouncing around dangerously in the Ramblers 6 yard box when it was swiped into the goal by the hand of an Ashton player. The goal was given. In fairness a few, but not all, of the Ashton players looked a bit embarrassed. Then in the dying moments Ashton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Ramblers box, a decision which many felt open to criticism. The big Ashton / Halkyn striker struck it sweetly and it was still rising as it hit the goal. It ended 6-6.
Undefeated but very different emotions from the previous week. The draw against Convo was hard fought and well deserved, this game really felt like one the Ramblers should have won. We retired to the Farmer’s Arms in Kelsall where scampi and chips with a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and generous provision of condiments lightened the mood. Later in the evening, and contrary to the reviews of most film critics, your correspondent was a little underwhelmed by the new Bond film. Anyway, onwards to Upton Magnates next week, undefeated but still in search of that first W.
MoM; Hogan (may his spell at the top of the Ramblers goal chart last long)