Ramsbury FC hosted League leaders Cricklade Town FC Reserves at the Rec Ground and played out a highly entertaining match in bitterly cold conditions.
The 3-1 score line flattered the opposition who were 2-0 up at half time due to some poor marking by Ramsbury who conceded two soft goals when they had played some very good football and looked solid at the back with Ash in goal and Chris (C) and Ads as centre backs and Mikey G and Noah as fullbacks. It was a shame as Ramsbury played some great attacking football and were unlucky not to score, but just needed that cutting edge!.
The second half was a much better half for Ramsbury who dominated the half with Skips, Byron and Leigh, the Welsh terminator, bossing midfield and Rob Shaun RB and Zac always a threat up front. Ramsbury lost Rob to injury, and he was replaced by Mason as the team kept its attacking 4-3-3 formation. Ramsbury were unlucky to concede another goal (I missed this one as I was in the Clubhouse) to go 3-0 down before a great opportunist shot by Byron on the rebound out of defence made the score more respectable at 3-1 (which I did see). After that Ramsbury were by far the better team and with Euan, Oscar and Ryan coming on for Leigh, Shaun and Byron and which saw Ramsbury have 4 teenagers on the pitch for Ramsbury and the average age of the team was significantly halved! However, Cricklade were canny in breaking up play with late tackles, niggles and delays as they sat very deep protecting their 2-goal lead. It was a frustrating tactic, but one that worked for them and although the ref (who was old school and very good!) provided Ramsbury with numerous free kicks, the game finally ended 3-1.
The final score might have been different if Ramsbury took their earlier chance and especially the missed opportunities by Zac and Shaun RB and a header off the crossbar by Rob, as this could have balanced the score.
It was a very good performance by Ramsbury who showed plenty of evidence of how they can play and with more consistency of players playing together week in week out the results will surely come.
As Sean was away celebrating his birthday, which I hope he enjoyed, I am not aware of a man of the match or shirt of shame award, but Byron scored a great goal and had a fine match, probably his best so far, and Leigh and Skips were very good in midfield with Noah and Mike were both very good as right and left full backs. Although Leigh could get SOS for the woeful shot he took that also caused a pulled calf and him needing to be subbed….!!!
Well done all who committed today – great team effort that deserved more!
Jon
