WORKINGTON 1

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0

Ramsbottom United were looking to pick themselves up from a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Prescot Cables at the weekend when they travelled to face former Rams boss Chris Willcock and his league leaders.

Lee Donafee made one change to his starting 11 for the long trip to the Lake District, Jamie Rainford came in for the injured Godwin Abadaki, while Jake Thompson returned to the bench after injury.

Workington scored what proved to be the only goal of the game as early as the eighth minute when Rowan Roache slipped the ball past Tom Stewart.

Jamie Rainford had the first chance for the Rams on 19 minutes, he got his boot on the end of a decent cross but ends up comfortably in the keeper’s arms.

Donafee was forced into an early change after Eddie Copper picked up an injury midway through the first half, he was replaced by Kayle Power.

Rainford was well involved in the action, this time a close-range header went narrowly wide of the target. It was clear to see that Rammy were looking for that equaliser before the break.

But Workington weren’t giving up, as three chances for them followed in the next 10 minutes. Stewart saved well to deny Charlie Bowman, goalscorer Rowan Roache had a shot go narrowly wide of the target and Rigg, who had the first chance of the game, had his goal ruled out for offside from close range.

Just before the break, the referee showed two red cards as a member of each side coaching staff were sent to the stands.

Following that discussion on the sidelines, the referee indicated six added minutes and mid-way through that the Rams had the ball in the net, but the assistant had adjudged it had gone out of play in the build-up and a corner was awarded and cleared.

The Rams started the second half well, but their first attack was halted as the offside flag was raised.

Workington were up against a sustained period of Rammy possession. After a good ball into the box, a header goes just wide of the target and out for a goal kick.

The home side made a double change on the hour mark bringing on former Ram Irwyah Gooden and Donae Lawrence for Paul Marshall and Charlie Bowman, and it was Lawrence who started brightly, he took an optimistic shot, but it sailed over the bar.

Will Hall got involved with the attack shortly after, two chances for the loanee, the first was a long-range shot from 35-yards that the keeper was forced to push wide and the second, a header from him cannoned off the bar.

Gooden was looking to make an impression against his former side, a good ball across from Roache just missed Rigg but the winger raced in at the far post, but his side-footed shot was over the bar.

Workington were looking for a second when James Murphy brought down Matty Clarke to prevent a dangerous attack. He was booked for the foul. The resulting free-kick came to nothing.

Goalscorer Rowan Roache was substituted shortly after due to a shoulder injury, he was replaced by another former Rammy player Reuben Jerome.

Workington controlled the play in the final minutes of the game, they had one final chance to double their lead in stoppage time but the shot rattled the post.

Unfortunately, the Rams make the 128-mile trip back to Lancashire with no points, but move onto Saturday with a home fixture against Glossop North End.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Stewart, O’Brien, Kennedy, Hoy, Hall, Cooper (Power 24’), Rainford, Waldron (Iyamu 86’), Murphy.

Unused subs: Collinge, Brown, Thompson.