Team: Proccy, Chris(C), James, Leigh, Rob, Adam, Macca, Zac, Char, Kavan, Ali. Subs: Oakley, Dan and Jon
After a good 4-1 win for Ramsbury FC last week the senior team faced tougher opponents in the form of North Swindon FC who are notorious for their physicality, whinging and array of Prison Break tattoos. They did not disappoint and fortunately their usual antics were dampened by some solid refereeing that kept the game flowing and did not allow the match to turn into an advert for a UFC!
Ramsbury fielding a much younger team, and with only half a dozen stalwarts from last season, started really well and put North Swindon on the back foot for the first 15-20 minutes with some good quick passing football. The back three of James, Chris and Leigh protecting Proccy in goal and distributing well to Rob and Adam as wing backs worked well and the middle three of Macca, Zac and Char were lively in supporting Kavan and Ali up front. Ramsbury’s pressure resulted in a couple of early chances, but a lack of communication and inability to clear out of defence resulted in two quick goals for the opposition against the run of play and saw Ramsbury go 2-0 down. There was no panic though and Ramsbury countered immediately with Rob on the left wing converting a great cross by Adam to make it 2-1. Ramsbury continued to press really well with some great passing by the midfield trio that nearly resulted in an equaliser. However, more confusion when defending resulted in an unchallenged header by the opposition centre half and saw the score go 3-1 to North Swindon.
The second half was all Ramsbury as fitness and quicker passing saw increased chances with Zac clipping the post and Adam only denied by some last ditch and fortunate defending to keep the score at 3-1. North Swindon were pressed constantly by Ramsbury and it eventually paid off after a succession of corners led to the ball falling to Oakley, on as a sub for older brother Macca, who calmly directed the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-2. Ramsbury continued to play the better football with Char and Zac dominating in midfield and Dan on for Kavan and Rob trying to provide the telling pass for Ali and Adam to grab a late equaliser. It nearly paid off as some great football led to a superb ball in by Char for Ali who could only manage to smack the shot of the cross bar in the dying seconds to see the game end 2-3 and earn North Swindon the win.
There were many positives to take away from this match and especially in the second half that saw a dominant display by Ramsbury and some really good football.
Next game on Tuesday is another home game v Ruby Removals from the Premiership. It will be tough so be prepare to come and work hard.
Cheers
Jon
