RAMSBOTTOM United are through to the next round of the FA Vase thanks to a 3-0 win against lower league Euxton Villa who gave a commendable performance before eventually going out, writes Tony Cunningham.

Any early concerns were eased as early as the fourth minute when Matt Dudley found himself in space at the far post to nod home an inch perfect right-wing cross from Harvey Hayhurst to put the hosts one goal to the good.

Either side of that, Rick Whittingham had a couple of efforts, one of which sailed inches wide whilst the other flew over the bar.

Euxton very nearly grabbed an equaliser that they would have deserved when a low cross from the right evaded Patrik Bibby’s boot by inches as he closed in on goal.

Maine Walder tried a long-range effort for the Rams before Ryan Lockett found himself in on goal, only the screw his effort wide of the far post.

However, a second goal arrived before the break, on 39 minutes, when a long free-kick from within the home side’s half found Henri Ogunby chasing in behind the Villa defence and he gleefully slotted the ball past Aidan Hunt in the Euxton goal.

A last-ditch tackle from Walder right on the half-time whistle ensured that the hosts went in for the break with a rather lob-sided two goal lead, but the second half proved a different story.

Four minutes in, a half-clearance from a corner landed at the feet of Martyn Jackson, and from fully 25 yards out, he powered home a low drive to make the score 3-0, and in effect, kill the game off.

There was a chance to increase that lead when Lockett was bundled over in the box, but the normally reliable Dudley smashed the resulting penalty kick wide.

No more goals, but the Rams remained well in control, and despite the early battling from the away side, deservedly progressed to the First Round Proper of the FA Vase and just six games away from Wembley.

Ramsbottom United: McKerney, Hayhurst, Walder, Jackson (Rigby 74mins), Radcliffe, Black (Roscoe 66mins), Ogunby(Chingwaro 45mins), Whittingham, Dudley,

Sephton, Lockett. Subs not used: Walker, Jenkins, Ujahchuku, Redmayne