Ramsbottom United 2-0 Workington AFC - 25/01/2020

Massive Game this and quite hard to predict, if we defend well and don't make silly mistakes such as at Pontefract we have a great chance of outscoring them.

Their defence seems prone to some absolute shockers and that's reflected in them conceding 1.5 goals per game compared to our 0.86.
They clearly have dangerous strikers with Evangelinos scoring 11 in their last 12 games so need to keep him quiet.

Hoping for a comfortable 3-0 but would absolutely take a draw right now. 

This is a game one wants to win but if not a draw would not be a bad result.

its a game worth 3 points maximum so its important not to get too hung up on one game.

that said Reds have the quality to win COYR

this game is a 100%win we don't want a draw

Ramsbottom preview suggest turning up a little earlier as bigger than normal crowd expected

Well what a let down that was. Biggest game of the season and Reds didnt turn up. A 600+ crowd with probably 100+ Reds fans saw us knocked off the top of the league for the 1st time this season. Just as at Pontefract we failed to defend a 2nd minute free kick - given away needlessly by Ceiran Casson after he had carelessly lost possession, and Ramsbottom's tails were up. Had Scott Allison's wonderful effort found the net instead of striking the post we may have seen a different outcome, but truth be told that was as near as we came in the entire 90 minutes. The home keeper made a good save from a header and a couple of routine stops in the 2nd half, but in all honesty we never threatened a comeback after the concession of an awful goal 5 minutes before half time. Exactly what Brad Carroll was thinking when he presented the ball to a Rams player allowing them to break away and score easily, only he will know, and it was the skipper's last act as a furious Danny Grainger hooked both him and Robbie Hebson. We harboured hopes of an improved 2nd half - and to be fair it was slightly better - but our passing, pressing and creativity were all well under par. With Goose up front for the last 10 minutes, Ramsbottom could and should have had more goals, missing 2 free headers inside the 6 yard box. All in all an afternoon to forget, and for me only Symington was anywhere near his usual standard. Titles aren't won in January of course, but this was a wake up call and we need to respond very quickly.

The pitch was very bobbly and didn't suit our passing from the back game. Having said that plan B wasn't too clever - long balls that didn't work at all. I just wish Allison's shot had gone in and Symington's effort just before had been the other side of the post. Plan B also included the introduction of Bowman and I just don't see what he gives us.
We were looking a bit disorganised and lacking togetherness - particularly in the last 20 minutes.
Clarke played well when he came on.
Hoping for better at Prescot next week.