LEE Donafee was a proud man after his Ramsbottom side made it nine points in six days after winning 3-0 at Mossley on Monday.

Rammy were in control from start to finish in their bank holiday clash, goals from Will Hall, James Murphy and Jamie Rainford seeing them sit third in the early Northern Premier League West Division standings.

“I’m proud to be managing this group of players,” said Donafee, whose side next host Colne on Tuesday, September 7 after a free weekend.

“We spoke about our focus and the plan I wanted to apply to this game and the lads have done that.

“The efforts not just today of the players and my management team but over the last three games have been outstanding.

“We started the game well which was pleasing and although I felt fatigue may kick in at some point the lads worked their socks off with some excellent control throughout the game.

“I’m really pleased with the clean sheet, Tom Stewart made two outstanding saves today and he and his defence deserved that clean sheet.

“It’s a great performance but overall an even better six days for us.”

On Monday there was only one change for Ramsbottom from their resounding 7-1 victory against Market Drayton Town on Saturday, as Jamie Rother came in to replace Godwin Abadaki.

Jake Thompson was the liveliest player in the early stages of the game causing the Mossley defence lots of problems with his electrifying speed and fast footwork, frequently winning Ramsbottom corners and putting teasing balls into the opposition’s box.

Steve Hoy came close to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes, glancing a header from a corner narrowly over the bar.

The Rams only had to wait another three minutes for their opening goal of the game when a fine cross from Thompson found Hall at the back post who directed his header back into the centre of the box, finding Domaine Rouse. Rouse returned the ball back to Hall and he nodded the ball home.

Rammy continued to dominate after the opener and kept the ball well in the Mossley half, not really letting the home side escape out of their half and not allowing them to create any real opportunities.

The away side started the second half in the same vein as the first, not giving the opposition a second to breathe and the pressure soon told once again as Murphy continued his fine form from Saturday’s game into this one when he doubled Rammy’s lead.

Goalkeeper Dale Latham made a fine save from another Hall header but the ball fell to Murphy who headed it into the almost empty Mossley goal.

The hosts tried to push on and create some chances of their own but Tom Stewart was equal to what they had to offer.

The home side saw their best chance of the game come in the 81st minute when they were 12 yards from goal but somehow managed to put their effort wide.

Just two minutes later Rammy completed the job when Rainford slotted home after great work down the left from Murphy.

Mossley did find the back of the net in the final few minutes but the referee ruled the goal out after a foul on Owen Collinge.

It was another good afternoon at the office with the Rams level on points with second-placed Clitheroe and only two points behind former boss Chris Willcock’s Workington who have won all four of their games so far this season to top the table.

Ramsbottom: Stewart, O’Brien (Collinge 87), Kennedy, Hoy, Hall, Cooper, Thompson (Power 65), Rother (Rainford 71), Rouse, Waldron, Murphy. Subs not used: Collins, Abadaki