Ramsbottom United earned their first win of the 2024/25 season with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Abbey Hey on Tuesday night, writes Tony Cunningham.

Luke Sefton and Oscar Radcliffe were on target, with an own goal from Abbey Hey’s Darrin Enahoro sandwiched in-between.

Two changes were made to the side that drew 2-2 with Pilkington on the opening day of the season. Joshua Tinker replaced Joao Soares, whilst Andrew Teague came in for Henry Ogunby.

On a balmy summers night at HWRS, it was the visitors who started the game the brighter side. Strikers Darren Ehimamiegho and Rhys Clooney caused a number of problems for the Rams defence, yet the home backline just about held firm. In what would turn out to be the away side’s best chance of the evening, Ehimamiegho’s shot was diverted wide by Harry Winstanley.

Riding out the early dominance successfully, the Rams slowly grew into the game. Striker Thomas Hoyle turned defender Marcus Dibble inside out yet could only fire his shot at keeper Connor Beard. Harvey Whyte thrust himself into action shortly after, yet he was also unable to put the Rams ahead. Latching onto a ball from left wing back Maine Walder, the number 10’s shot fired wide of the target. The defining moments of the game however came in the closing stages of the first half with Abbey Hey skipper Kieran Nolan sent off somewhat harshly after a challenge on Rob Wilson. Chunnering to himself as he left the field, the Abbey Hey skipper thought little of referee Ben Cotton’s decision. Then, as the half drew to a close, the home side went ahead when Luke Sefton converted a low drilled ball from skipper Andrew Teague. Darting ahead of the Abbey Hey backline, striker Sefton made sure the Rams had the first half lead they richly deserved.

Shortly after half time Steve Wilkes’s side doubled their advantage. In an attempt to clear a Luke Sefton cross, Darrin Enahoro could only turn the ball into his own net. Goalkeeper Connor Beard was left a gasp as the ball looped over his head as the home side began their celebrations.

Beard was picking the ball out from his net only 11 minutes later too when Oscar Radcliffe converted a spilled Harvey Whyte shot. Firing from the edge of the goalmouth area, Radcliffe was first on the scene to add the match’s final goal. Substitute Harvey Hayhurst then had two attempts to increase the Rams tally in the closing stages. With the first attempt firing wide of the goal, the second minutes later was successfully charged down by Beard, who made an admirable effort to keep the scoreline respectable with a plethora of saves throughout the night.

With changes aplenty as the second half progressed, the game lost its flow slightly in the closing stages. On a positive note, the game offered the chance for substitutes to stake their place in Saturday’s starting eleven ahead of the Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Stalybridge. After a strong start to the season earning four points from their opening two games, the Rams moved to a fruitful 5th place by the evening’s end.

Manager Steve Wilkes said:“Really pleased with the performance. Like every manager you always want more and I think we could and should have won the game by more,

“We missed four or five really good chances. Even when it was eleven v eleven we missed chances. But overall I’m pleased.

“It’s always nice keeping clean sheets and that’s what we didn’t do very often last season.

“Something to build on as we head into a tough FA Cup game on Saturday”