01 Ramsbottom United v Curzon Ashton

rammynews V CURZON ASHTON17.08.13

President: J SmithChairman: H WilliamsSecretary: G ShuttleworthTreasurers: H Williams, C WoolfallCommittee: C Woolfall, A Edmundson, G Lay, DWolfenden, K ToppingLife Members: FA Rothwell, L Read, A Whalley, F Rothwell,J Wolfenden, P McSherry, A McleodProgramme Editors: R Isaacs,P Newhouse, R MossHospitality Manager: I McCoolCatering Manager: S FletcherTeam Managers: A Johnson, B MorleyFirst XI Coaches: J Hunter, G Moses, D GreenPhysio: K RichardsonRecent Honours: NWCFL Champions 2011/12Premier Runners Up 2010/112nd Div Champions 96/972nd Div Trophy 95/96Bolton Hospital Cup Winners2005/06. 2006/07, 2007/08The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, LancashireTel: 01706 822799www.rammyunited.co.uk

EDITORIAL - Richard IsaacsGood afternoon and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Sta-

dium for the opening Evo-Stik Northern Premier League DivisionOne North game of the 2013/14 season and we welcome to our vis-itors today from Curzon Ashton F.C. We hope that you enjoy yourtime with us and have a safe journey back home later.Well, here we are again then! Another season commences with

hope, expectation and wonderment of what is going to happen overthe next eight months. One thing is for sure, it will be as exciting, ifnot more so, than the previous years and the Rammy following willcontinue to grow should things continue to flourish on the fieldunder Bernard and Anthony’s expert guidance. We have come a longway in a short space of time but there is certainly not stopping andadmiring the view!Of course, when a season starts, every club in the land has the

same ‘trophy-lifting’ vision and one such club will be, as always,today’s visitors from just down the M60. Curzon Ashton are oftenlisted in dispatches as the team to follow and whilst sitting just out-side the playoffs last season (much like ourselves in the end!), hopeis high on Tameside that things will be different this time aroundand, in fact, in the early pre-season betting, they, like us, are heavilyfancied behind Darlington and Northwich. So today’s game will bea very difficult season opener and, as we saw last season, Curzon se-cured the double over us with a 4-3 win here (Kristian Dennis scoringall four) while just a single goal separated the sides at Curzon.As you can probably see from this Page no.1, we have a brand new

look to the programme for the 2013/14 season. I hope you like it!Rob Moss has stepped up and taken on the design and I believe he

has done a superb job. Ifyou have any com-ments, please do let me

know.Unfortunately, work com-

mitments keep me from thegame today—I will be atEdgbaston for Twenty20 fi-nals day. But, no doubt, Iwill have a sneaky eyeopen checking the scores……

C’MON RAMMY!!!!!!!!!!Richard

bring it on!ready to gop4

Good afternoon and welcome back to theHWRS for the opening game of the seasonand it’s a welcome also to Curzon Ashton forwhat will be a really good opening game tothe 2013/14 season.Well, after 55 days or so of pre-season,everyone is busting to get started and thewhole squad is very excited to get theproper league season off and running.I think pre-season has gone well in the main.It’s not been perfect but we have changedthings round a bit this year with somegames against much tougher oppositionfrom different levels - Colne, ManchesterUnited XI, Trafford and Airbus UK Broughtonto name but four. We have had it tough butperformance wise, we have had our bestshowings on the pitch since we have beenin charge and in terms of preparation for theseason, it has been bang on. The squad isstrong enough and naturally everyonewants to play but we, as managers, aregoing to have to manage it well becauseeveryone wants a shirt. But we have tried tobuild a squad to cover every eventuality andmake sure we are not struggling if injuriesand/or absences come about.We have made a couple of signings in theclosed season with Adam Morning comingback from Skelmersdale and Tom Brooksjoining up from Radcliffe. Owen Roberts hasalso signed up but he has a niggle at themoment and won’t feature today whileyoung 18-year-old Tommy Toft is joining usfrom Bury, who was on a three-year procontract at Gigg but with the shake up hasbeen released. He’s been excellent in pre-season and we are pleased to have him. Un-fortunately, Matty Russell has decided notto join us after all.

In some places, we are up amongst thefavourites to win the league. Well, we fin-ished sixth last season so some people aregoing to think that but Curzon are listed assecond favourites so today is going to be areally good game. I am flattered that we areup there and doesn’t bother me because, atthe end of the day, we are a good side.But we have got five massive games to startwith but, if we have aspirations to win theleague, we have to beat them so we may aswell get them out of the way early doors.Starting with this game, we go to OssettTown, who have strengthened in the sum-mer then to Warrington before a local derbywith Padiham before we get Northwich Vic-toria and then Darlington, who are the hotfavourites to win the league. That’s thehand we have been dealt, lets get them outof the way and then examine where we areafter that. It is just like the end of last sea-son where we played some big game - wehave to go out and get a result.Today’s match against Curzon will be atough one. They have lost their topgoalscorer and their goalkeeper in the sum-mer but they did the double over us andthey are a very good side, regardless of whohas gone. They, like us, are itching to getinto the play-offs, they have a very goodmanager and they will be right up there.One thing is for sure though, the Rammylads are looking forward to it. Everyonewants to just get on and play some properfootball and we are ready for another excit-ing year.Enjoy the game, we will look forward to see-ing you over the coming weeks and months. - Jonno

dawson takes flightairbus UKRamsbottom United completed their pre-sea-son preparations with a narrow win againstWelsh Premier League Airbus UK in a well-bal-anced match at the Harry Williams RiversideStadium.The visitors, who had just competed in the Eu-ropa league after finishing in the runners-upspot, opened brightly, with Lewis Short goingclosest to opening the scoring, but he failed tokeep his effort down.Phil Dean raced down the left for the homeside before slamming in an angled drive whichflew into the side netting.On 13 minutes the Rams had an amazing let-off when four close range attempts werehacked off the line before Grant Shenton, ingoal, pulled off a first-class save and was re-lieved to see the follow-up sail over the bar.On 18 minutes, the hosts took the lead. A dis-puted free-kick on the right was hurled intothe crowded penalty area, where Tom Brooksducked to send his header just inside the post.At the other end Glen Rule was on the end of afine move before placing his shot just toohigh, but Rule it was who levelled the scoreson 28 minutes. Slack marking allowed himtime to find space in the box, and as the ballarrived from the right, he promptly dispatchedit from ten yards out.Another fine run from Dean was thwartedwhen his final shot was blocked, whilst for Air-bus, Jay Owen hit the target but Shenton wasequal to it.The game continued to swing from end to end inthe second half. Rule saw his volley blocked, beforeAdam Morning was inches off target with a fine curl-ing shot from the corner of the penalty area.

Airbus upped the pressure with danger manRule slamming a fierce drive goalwards whichShenton did well to cover with Chris Budrysready to pounce. Short again went close with alow angled drive, before Steve Jones nettedfrom close range only for the linesman’s flagto chalk it off..Shenton again had to be at his best to dealwith a long-range effort from Tom Field, be-fore Mark Drew chanced his arm at the otherend, only to be wide of the target.The home side nudged in front on 67 minutes.A Gary Stopforth corner on the right foundcaptain Andy Dawson near the far post and hisheader found the gap to restore the Ramslead.Airbus replied with a perfectly timed throughball for Jones, but Shenton came bravely outof his goal to smother the ball at the on-rush-ing forward’s feet.The Rams attacked again down the right, withJon Robinson laying the ball back to DominicSmalley. His goalbound shot took the slightestdeflection to earn the home side another cor-ner.Ryan Wade should have done better for theWingmakers, when he raced into the area, butdrove his shot wide of the far post, whilst thevisitors had keeper James Coates to thank ashe denied Smalley again after he had beenplayed in down the left.Shenton dealt with another good effort fromAirbus full-back Sam Hart to preserve the slen-der lead, as the whistle blew on a good run-out for both sides ahead of the new campaign.

2 - 1Harry Williams Riverside Stadium10th August 2013Att: 115Rammy Goals: Brookes (18), Dawson (67)Airbus Goals: Rule (28)

Right, the ground’s been spruced up, new players signed to replace those movingon, pre-season friendlies complete…..sounds as though we are just about readyto start the new season.And so we are!Off we go again, and having enjoyed our fourth successive improvement under

the leadership of Bernard and Johnno, the anticipation down here at the HarryWilliams Riverside Stadium is very much one of “let’s go one better than last year”when that cruel late, late goal denied us an opportunity to compete in our veryfirst play-offs.

Naturally, with the vast majority of previous seasons’ squad still with us, oursupporters have every right to feel confident.But so too will the fans of many other clubs. Our visitors today, Curzon Ashton are perennial favourites, and gave us a torrid

time last season. They, like ourselves, are up their amongst the bookies favourites,so as we welcome everyone concerned with the Nash this afternoon, we know wecan expect a tough ninety minutes.STRANGE CONNECTIONOf course, our new secretary could not have planned this fixture better.When Malcolm Holt resigned from the post at the end of last season after nine

years with us, I was more than a little concerned that we may not be able to fillhis boots.I need not have worried. Malcolm did a first-class job, but in his place we now

have the vastly experienced Graham Shuttleworth, who has slipped effortlesslyinto the secretary’s chair.Graham was, for many years, secretary of …. Curzon Ashton. He also lives, and is a councillor, in Oldham, and those of you who have not

been down for the pre-season games will notice the new clubhouse now residingon the triangular grassed area in front of the dressing rooms.Work is on-going before we open up this great new facility. It previously resided

at Oldham Athletic’s ground where it operated as an executive lounge onthe Broadway side of the ground. Due to the building of a new standthere, it was deemed no longer required, and we are delighted to have

received it.So we have a new secretary from Oldham, and a new clubhouse from

Oldham.I seem to remember when we erected floodlights, they too came fromthe Watersheddings ground of Oldham Rugby League club.

Now I know our good friend down the road has decided to broadenhis horizon by renaming the club Bacup and Rossendale Borough (appro-priately BARB for short!), you don’t think we’re likely to go down the same

road by becoming Ramsbottom and Oldham United do you?THANKSAs usual, much work has gone on throughout the closed season. We offer ourthanks to everyone who has come down to give Harry and the two Jacks a hand.

Also a big thank you to you, the supporters. Our gates have doubled inthe last couple of years, and this has enabled the club to continue todevelop.Averaging almost 250 last season, how about pushing for an aver-

age of 300+ this campaign?Let’s keep promoting the Rams and keep this club going forward.

And let’s look forward to another year of great entertainment.Enjoy your non-league football!

Tony Cu

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TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS1 Which side plays at the wonderfully-named “Dripping Pan”?2 Name the town that has four clubs operating in the non-league pyramid,but only one of which actually plays in the town3 What is the nickname of Weymouth?4 Who was the manager who led Mossley to Wembley for the FA TrophyFinal over 20 years ago?5 Who did Danny Johnson replace as Nantwich Town manager this sum-mer/6 Which club did Johnson leave to move to the Dabbers?7 How many times have Barnet been relegated from the Football League?8 True or false? Northern League club Ashington once played in the Foot-ball League9 What is the nickname of Bamber Bridge10 What colours do GAP Connahs Quay Nomads play in?

Answers: 1 Lewes 2 Northwich 3 The Terras 4 Bob Murphy 5 Jimmy Quinn 6 Ashton United 7 Twice 8 True 9 The Brig 10 White shirts and Black shorts

Sat 17th August 2013Clitheroe v Farsley FCDarlington 1883 v Warrington TownHarrogate Railway v Salford CityLancaster City v Cammell LairdMossley v Kendal TownNew Mills v BurscoughNorthwich Victoria v PadihamOssett Albion v Bamber BridgePrescot Cables v Ossett TownRadcliffe Borough v WakefieldRamsbottom v Curzon AshtonMon 19th August 2013Curzon Ashton v Radcliffe Borough

Tues 20th August 2013Bamber Bridge v Darlington 1883Burscough v Northwich VictoriaCammell Laird v New MillsFarsley FC v Prescot CablesKendal Town v Ossett AlbionOssett Town v Ramsbottom UnitedSalford City v ClitheroeWakefield v MossleyWarrington Town v Lancaster CityWeds 21th August 2013Padiham v Harrogate Railway

this week’s matches

Curzon Ashton FC was formed in 1963 follow-ing the amalgamation of two clubs, CurzonRoad and Ashton Amateurs. The newlyformed club joined the Manchester AmateurLeague, winning the title twice and finishingrunners-up in their first three seasons.A step forward took them into the Manches-ter League, and after a period of consolida-tion a string of honours followed in the early1970's, amongst them runners-up in both theFirst and Premier Divisions, twice in respect ofthe latter.1978/9 saw Curzon become founder mem-bers of the Cheshire League Division Two,winning promotion at the first attempt, butagain just missing out on the title, on this oc-casion by just two points.The first season in the top flight was cele-brated with the club's then finest momentwhen they became the first North West basedclub to reach the semi-final stage of The FAVase. Their dream of a final was howeverquickly diminished, losing both legs 2 - 0 toStamford, with the home tie producing a thenrecord attendance of 1,800.Curzon once again became founder membersof yet another competition, the North WestCounties League (NWCL), in 1983/4 with themerger of the MWCL Cheshire League andLancashire League, as part of the non-leaguepyramid. The club was placed in the First Di-vision and in 1986 National Park was "illumi-nated' following the installation of floodlights,in preparation for what they hoped would bean opportunity to join the Northern PremierLeague (NPL), a feat which they achieved in1986 by joining the First Division.Managers then quickly came and went withSteve Waywell being their fourth appoint-ment in the space of 12 months when he wasappointed in October 1987. Such were theon-field problems that relegation was onlyavoided when the League was expanded from19 to 22 clubs. Waywell remained with theclub until February 1993.

Almost a decade on (1996/7) and furtherproblems, on and off the field, beset Curzon.Terry McLean was handed the reins at thestart of the season, only to resign in Septem-ber. Changes in the boardroom brought withit more unrest within the club, and DaveDenby was placed in charge of team affairs,with Ged Coyne as his assistant. Denby re-mained until just after the New Year. Coynetook charge on a temporary basis (a positionwhich was made permanent at the end of theseason) but he was unable to halt the clubsslide and with it relegation.If relegation wasn't enough, the club receiveda "double-whammy' when they were placedin the Northern Counties East League (NCEL)following a meeting of the Northern Joint Li-aison Committee, a decision which not onlyshocked officials of the club but many othersconnected with football in the region.An appeal to the National League Systemsub-committee, supported by the NorthernPremier League but opposed by both theNWCL and NCEL, proved fruitless, and so theclub became the first to be moved in this waysince the pyramid system was introduced.The much anticipated difficulties followed,and the club ended the season one placeabove the bottom club. The mistake wasrecognised and the NCEL Management Com-mittee assisted the club in supporting theirmove back to the NWCL for the start of sea-son 1997/8.The club remained in the Second Divisionuntil under the guidance of Joe Murty theygained promotion at the end of season1999/2000, although Murty was relieved ofhis duties in June 2000, and Gary Lowe wasappointed.Lowe led the club to the Final of the Wor-thington League Challenge Cup in his firstseason, losing to Formby on penalties.

today’s visitorscurzon ashton

today’s visitorscurzon ashton

Almost a decade of discussions with Tame-side MBC officials about a new ground it fi-nally became a realisation when agreementwas reached for the club to vacate NationalPark, spending season 2004/05 at the homeof Stalybridge Celtic, before moving into theirmagnificent Tameside Stadium for the startof season 2005/06.The ground was formally opened on 8 Sep-tember 2005 by Sir Alex Ferguson for a gamein which Manchester United provided the op-position.Despite repeated attempts to return to theNPL they had to wait until season 2006/07 tobenefit once again from the re-structure ofthe pyramid system to return from whencethey came, a season which also saw themend their NWCL campaign as the "nearly'team, ending the season as runners-up in theLeague, D-Zine League Challenge Cup Final-ists and emulating the team of 1980 byreaching the Semi-Final of The FA CarlsbergVase, only to lose out to the eventual win-ners, Truro City.The D-Zine League Challenge Cup Final,which took place at the Tameside Stadium,was played in front of a reported recordcrowd for the competition of 3,210 againstFC United of Manchester.Season 2007-2008, and the first back in toUniBond League, saw the club reach the pro-motions play-offs after leading the First Divi-sion North for most of the season.Unfortunately they were knocked out of theplay-offs by Skelmersdale United.In the 2008-2009 season the club reachedthe Play-off Final but were beaten by New-castle Blue Star who then resigned from theUniBond League in late June. The season willbe remembered for the clubs magnificent FACup exploits when reaching the SecondRound Proper of the competition where theywere beaten 2-0 away at Kidderminster Har-riers after beating Exeter City 3-2 at home inthe First Round Proper.

Season 2009-2010 the club reached the Play-offs for the third consecutive season but wereagain beaten in the semi-finals by the even-tual winners Colwyn Bay, they also reachedthe League Challenge Cup Semi-Final butwere beaten 2-0 by Boston United.Season 2010-2011 Another successful cuprun saw Curzon reach the First Round Properof the FA Trophy for the first time in their his-tory, eventually losing at home to Altrinchamin a re-played game after the original gamehad to be abandoned due to a power failurewith Curzon outplaying their Conference op-ponents and leading 2-1 at half-time. Onceagain the club reached the Play-offs for thefourth consecutive season and were againbeaten by the eventual winners Chorley. Thiswas the final season for manager Gary Lowewho called it a day after eleven seasons at thehelm. The club appointed John Flanagan asGary Lowe’s successor and would start the2011-2012 season building a new team.In his first season in change John Flanagantook the club to the Play-off Final where theywere beaten by Witton Albion. Making thePlay-off Final in his first season in change wastremendous achievement but the most sig-nificant accolade was finishing the season inthe clubs highest ever league position finish-ing second to AFC Fylde. This achievementcan only be matched if we gain promotion atthe end of the 2012-2013 season which isalso the club fiftieth year having started lifein football in 1963.Season 2012-2013Last Season the First Team ended the seasonin a respectable seventh position in the Evo-Stik First Division North narrowly missing outon a Play-off place. On the bright side theyreached the Final of the Doodson Sports Cupwhere they were beaten by Premier DivisionChampions North Ferrby United on penalties.The first seven penalties in the shootout weresaved, which must be a record.today’s visitorscurzon ashton

DATE OPPOSITION RES ATT STARTING ELEVENSat 17th Aug CURZON ASHTONTues 20th Aug Ossett TownSat 24th Aug Warrington TownMon 26th Aug PADIHAMSat 31st Aug L’POOL/CHEADLE(FAC)Sat 7th Sept NORTHWICH VICTORIATues 10th Sept Ossett AlbionSat 14th Sept (Stocksbridge) (FAC1Q)Sat 21st Sept MossleyTues 24th Sept DARLINGTON 1883Sat 28th Sept CLITHEROETues 1st Oct Radcliffe BoroughSat 5th Oct Warrington Town (FATprel)Sat 12th Oct Wakefield Tues 15th Oct LANCASTER CITYSat 19th Oct (WORKSOP) (FAT1Q)Tues 22nd Oct PRESCOT CABLESSat 26th Oct Harrogate Railway AthleticTues 29th Oct OSSETT ALBIONSat 2nd Nov (FAT 2Q)Wed 6th Nov Darlington 1883Sat 9th Nov NEW MILLSTues 12th Nov FC UNITED Doodson cupSat 16th Nov Cammell LairdSat 23rd Nov BURSCOUGHSat 30th Nov Kendal TownWed 4th Dec (Doodson Sport Cup)Sat 7th Dec Curzon AshtonSat 14th Dec OSSETT TOWNSat 21st Dec Bamber BridgeThurs 26th Dec SALFORD CITYSat 28th Dec FARSLEYWed 1st Jan PadihamSat 4th Jan Northwich VictoriaSat 11th Jan MOSSLEYSat 18th Jan RADCLIFFE BOROUGHSat 25th Jan ClitheroeSat 1st Feb WAKEFIELDSat 8th Feb Lancaster CitySat 15th Feb HARROGATE RAILWAYSat 22nd Feb (Doodson Sport Cup)Sat 1st Mar Prescot CablesSat 8th Mar CAMMELL LAIRDSat 15th Mar New MillsSat 22nd Mar (Doodson Cup SF)Sat 29th Mar BurscoughSat 5th Apr KENDAL TOWNSat 12th Apr FarsleySat 19th Apr WARRINGTON TOWNMon 21st Apr Salford City Sat 26th Apr BAMBER BRIDGE

fixtures and results 2013/2014

SUBSTITUTES

66/7: Parks Cup Runners-Up67/8:Parks Cup Runners-Up67/8: Kenyon Cup Winners71/2: Cornall Cup Winners72/3: Bolton Combination Div One Champions74/5: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners76/7: Bolton Combination Premier Division Champions76/7: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners79/80: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Winners81/2: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Cup Runners-Up82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Runners-Up83/4: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners84/5: Bolton Combination First Division Runners-Up84/5: Bolton Boys Federation Under-16’s League Champions85/6: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s League Runners-Up85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners86/7: Lancashire FA Under-18’s Cup Winners86/7: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners86/7: Bolton Boys Federation Under-18’s League Champions87/8: Bolton Combination Open Cup Runners-Up90/1: Manchester League Division One Cup Winners

90/1: Manchester League Division One Champions93/4: Yorkshire Cup Runners-Up93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Cup Winners93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Champions94/5: Gylchrist Cup Winners94/5: Manchester Festival of Football Runners-Up94/5: Manchester County FA Youth Cup Winners94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Jubilee Cup Winners94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Cup Winners94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions95/6: North West Counties Division Two Cup Winners96/7: North West Counties Division Two Champions97/8: North West Counties Reserve Division Cup Winners98/9: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners98/9: North West Counties Reserve North Champions2000/01: Bolton Bys Federation Jubilee Cup Runners-Up01/2: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions01/2; Bolton Hospital Cup Runners-Up05/6: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners06/7: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners07/8: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners10/11: North West Counties Division One Runners-Up11/12: North West Counties Division One Champions

rammy club honours

stopforthgary

wiz delivers

uniteds

clash

2 - 4Harry Williams Riverside8th August 2013Att: 710Rammy Goals: Dean (1), Brookes (15)Manchester Goals: Lawrence (22,37,58), Barmby (63)

HUGE CROWD SEES RAMMYTAKE ON MUFC U21S

Ramsbottom United’s penultimate pre-seasonfriendly saw the arrival at the Harry WilliamsRiverside Stadium of a youthful ManchesterUnited squad for a game that attracted a crowdof 710, the third highest in the club’s history. Andthey were treated to a night of high entertain-ment with a collection of superb goals.Manchester’s new recruit Guillermo Varela couldnot have had a worse introduction to Englishfootball, as Rams winger Phil Dean outpaced himdown the left before firing home a stunning effortfrom the corner of the box after just 58 seconds.Dean then sent over a tantalising cross whichevaded the on-rushing Smalley as the homeside started well.At the other end, an angled drivefrom Joe Rothwell was tipped overby Grant Shenton, before theRams doubled their lead on 15minutes. Mark Drew’s finethrough ball found TomBrookes, and he turned beforelashing it past Keiron O’Harato give the home side an im-pressive early two goal advan-tage.Manchester came back, andon 22 minutes a trip by JonRobinson had the referee point-ing to the spot, and TomLawrence stroked home thepenalty to half the arrears.The visitors were now adaptingto the conditions and it wasno great surprise when theylevelled the score. A crossfrom the right found Lawrencewho, at the second attemptmanaged to force the ballpast Shenton.Manchester had two goodchances to take the lead before thebreak, as Lawrence set up Varela but he fired over

the bar, then an Andy Dawson back header wasseized upon by Jack Barmby only to see Shentondeny him by forcing his shot round the post.The home side almost regained the lead in the47th minute when a fine run by Brookes saw hiseffort parried by O’Hara, only for Dean to drill therebound wide.A fine passing move by the visitors almost caughtthe Rams out, but the final ball from Rothwellsailed over the bar.Rams managers Anthony Johnson and BernardMorley made wholesale changes to the team, asis the usual practice in pre-season games, but thevisitors then gained a strangle-hold on thematch with two superb goals.On 58 minutes, Lawrence completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike from 20 yards out.His shot zoomed over the out-stretched armsof Shenton before dipping inches under the barto give Manchester the lead.Five minutes later, the Reds sealed victory withan almost identical strike.This time, Jack Barmby controlled the ball 25yards out and repeated the trick, as once againhis powerful drive sailed over Shenton anddipped just under the bar.Adam Morning raced through the defence atthe other end, as the Rams attempted to re-

gain a foot-hold in the match, but his final shotwas held by O’Hara, then the same player sent ina long-range free-kick from the right that missedthe far post by inches.Reds substitute Jack Rudge saw his pile-driverclear the Rams bar by inches, as the visitorslooked comfortable as the game played down.So Nicky Butt’s men gained a 4-2 victory on anight of high entertainment, with the largecrowd acknowledging the efforts of both

teams. It was an ideal run-out for theRams as they look forward to their sec-

ond season in the Evo-Stik, which beginson the 17th August with a home game againstCurzon Ashton.

LEAGUE NEWSThe draw for the Preliminary Round and First Round of this seasonsDoodson Sports League Cup have been made by members of theLeague Board.PRELIMINARY ROUNDTies to be played Tuesday 3rd September subject to FA Cup ReplaysLincoln United v Wakefield FCLoughborough Dynamo v Rainworth Miners WelfareMossley v PadihamNewcastle Town v Market Drayton TownFIRST ROUNDTies to be played Tuesday 12th November unless otherwise statedBarwell v Coalville TownBelper Town v Ilkeston FCBurscough v Warrington TownCarlton Town v Buxton [13th Nov]Chasetown v Market Drayton Town or Newcastle TownDarlington 1883 v Blyth Spartans [13th Nov]Droylsden v Frickley AthleticGresley FC v Eastwood Town [11th Nov]Goole AFC v Farsley FCGrantham Town v Bedworth UnitedHarrogate Railway Athletic v Stocksbridge Park SteelsKendal Town v ChorleyKidsgrove Athletic v Halesowen TownLancaster City v Bamber BridgeMarine v Ashton UnitedMickleover Sports v Matlock TownMossley or Padiham v AFC FyldeNantwich Town v Leek TownNew Mills v Rushall Olympic [11th Nov]Northwich Victoria v TraffordOssett Albion v Scarborough AthleticPrescot Cables v Skelmersdale UnitedRadcliffe Borough v ClitheroeRamsbottom United v FC United of ManchesterRomulus v Stafford Rangers [11th Nov]Salford City v Cammell LairdSheffield FC v Ossett TownStamford v Lincoln United or WakefieldSutton Coldfield v Rainworth Miners or Loughborough DynamoWhitby Town v Brigg Town [13th Nov]Witton Albion v Curzon AshtonWorksop Town v Kings Lynn Town [13th Nov]All ties to be played to a conclusion with penalties after 90 minutes.[Note no extra time]

COMING UP...At last, the start of the season—so here is the first few fixtures to getyou in the mood …..OSSETT TOWN v RAMSBOTTOM UNITEDTuesday 20 August 2013—7.45pm kick-offEvo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One NorthWARRINGTON TOWN v RAMSBOTTOM UNITEDSaturday 24 August 2013—3.00pm kick-offEvo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One NorthRAMSBOTTOM UNITED v PADIHAMBank Holiday Monday 26 August 2013—3.00pm kick-offEvo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One NorthRAMSBOTTOM UNITED v A.F.C.Liverpool or Cheadle TownSaturday 31 August 2013—3.00pm kick-offFA Cup Preliminary RoundRAMSBOTTOM UNITED v NORTHWICH VICTORIASaturday 7 September 2013—3.00pm kick-offEvo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North

Our first two away days are over to West Yorkshire and down theM62 to Warrington …. and here is how to get there!OSSETT TOWN F.C.Address: Ingfield, Prospect Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire, WF5 9HADirections: Exit the M1 at junction 40, and follow the signs towardsOssett B6129. Left into Dale Street, sign posted Town centre. Atcrossroads (Silvestri`s restaurant on right) turn left and ground is onthe right. Parking can be found behind the bus station. From Wake-field Westgate train station take 116,117,126 or 127 to Ossett.Ground is opposite Ossett Bus Station. WARRINGTON TOWN F.C.Address: Cantilever Park, Common Lane, Latch-ford, Warrington, WA4 2RSDirections: The nearest motorway is the M6and you would leave at J20 signposted War-rington/Lymm. Enter Warrington and followsignposts for A50(Warrington). Once enteringWarrington carry on down Grappenhall Roadcrossing the swing brige on the ManchesterShip Canal. Once across the bridge turn left im-mediatly and continue straight and the groundwill appear on the left as you approach. ph

oto co

urtesy

of Jo

n Bennett

Coach Glenn Moses

Coach Darren Green

Coach John Hunter

Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley

Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson

rammysquad

Right-back Dan WarrenderCentre-back and Captain Andy Dawson

Centre-back Ian Flannery

Physio Katie Richardson

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton

Right-back Jordan Hulme

Midfielder Phil Edghill

Midfielder Gary Stopforth

Left-wing Phil Dean

Midfielder Mark Drew

Midfielder Grant Spencer

Left-back Joel Pilkington

Striker Lee Gaskell

Striker Jon Robinson

Striker Adam Morning

Striker Tom Brookes

Right-wing Dom Smalley

Midfielder Tom Toft

EDITORIAL - Supporters ClubI’m really looking forward to this season for a whole load of differ-ent reasons.We have a new, extremely accomplished and professional secre-

tary in Graham Shuttleworth who seems to know his stuff. Add tothat thefantastic new clubhouse which will no doubt become a realasset to the club, both financially and in creating much more of ahome atmosphere for us all. We also have that handful of extraquality players that our squad needed last season to take thingson to a higher level. The pitch and ground are, as ever, lookingamongst the best in non-league football, and we’re hoping tomake a few changes to the Supporters Club this year to get thingsreally moving off the pitch. This year’s big incentives to join the Supporters Club include the

top-quality window/car sticker that lets you advertise your love ofRammy to all and sundry! As if that’s not enough, we’ve also runoff a limited edition enamel badges that could be worth hundredsof pounds in years to come! We’re hoping to get a few events organised this year too, in order

that fans can get to know each other, and the players. Given theincreasingly large numbers of us that are trekking to away games,and the growing attendances at home, we’d like to do a bit morethis season. If you’re interested in getting involved then please sayso when you fill in the membership form.As ever, it’s likely that we won’t be able to sell membership be-

fore halftime (so we don’t spoil Harry’s raffle takings), but if you’dlike to pop along to the teabar during halftime then you shouldfind us there for the next few games. It’s a bargain £6 for mem-bership, and we hope you’ll help support us. Virtually every pennyof last year’s membership fee went into promoting Rammy, and Ilike to hope that we played a big part in making us the most sup-ported teams in the league.

£6Enamel Badge + Car Sticker + Supporters Club Membership

Managers: Anthony JOHNSONBernard MORLEY

Manager: John FLANAGANAssistant: Ian NEVISON

Grant SHENTONDanny WARRENDER

Joel PILKINGTONGary STOPFORTHAndy DAWSONIan FLANNERY

Dominic SMALLEYMark DREW

Jon ROBINSONLee GASKELL

Phil DEANGrant SPENCERPhil EDGHILL

Jordan HULMEOwen ROBERTS

Matthew RUSSELLMatthew WARBURTON

Adam NUTTALLTom TOFT

Tom BROOKESAdam MORNING

Sam HOWELLCallum SMITH

Richard BENNETTHakon BURTONAshley CRANKConnor HAMPSONNicholas HAUGHTONJonathan HUNTLawrence HUNTERGraham KAYMatthew KAYSimon LAKELANDChris McDONAGHScot METCALFEChristopher ROWNEYSamuel WALKERDean WARBURTONAndrew WATSONRyan WATSONSimon WOODFORDJordan WRIGHTChristopher YOUNG

Referee: Richard Abson (Chester)Assistants: T Ratcliffe (Stockport), P Gibbon (Northwich)

Next home game: Monday 26th August 3pm, Padiham