Agony for Rammy after play-off semi final exit

Having lost at home to Padiham 12 months ago, the same fate followed in bright sunshine, as second-placed Rams succumbed to a late goal from fifth-placed Chadderton in a match the provided little entertainment for a crowd of 714.

The Riverside pitch was in perfect condition for the team’s passing game with the Rams supporters looking forward to an entertaining match and in optimistic mood given the Rams had taken four points off the opposition in two league matches.

Sadly, for the home team it didn’t work out that way.

There was surprise and delight as Scott Sephton’s name was read out. The powerful centre back making a timely return but, as the teams lined up, striker Jacob Holland -Wilkinson started out on the right.

As the match got underway, it was the visitors, in red, who made the brighter start. Working hard Chadderton pressed the home side and sought out the free-running Tawab Djankpata at every opportunity. His duel with Rams full-back Louis Jeanne became one of the highlights of the afternoon as the Rams immediately reverted to their plan B - a dire form of hoof ball, with aimless punts attempting to relieve the pressure.

As the game unfolded, it was played out to a surprisingly muted atmosphere given the prize of a home final the following Saturday.

The game developed into a poor spectacle, and it may have been frustration that led a harsh tackle by Harvey Whyte for an unnecessary yellow card. More constructively and the only real effort of note came when Holland-Wilkinson cut in from his isolated berth and fired a speculative shot just wide of the post.

Rams limped towards the break a fortunate nil- nil, with the only consolation for that they weren’t losing.

The pattern continued to some effect in the second half with precious few chances, A long range effort from Whyte which didn’t trouble visiting keeper Oliver Culkin was one meagre offering before a series of substitutions encompassed even Jacob Holland-Wilkinson.

Little appeared to change, although newly-introduced Daniel Forbes and Terry Cummings did at least try to get the ball down rather than it being lumped into the air.

The only good news was that Chadderton weren’t particularly effective themselves.

That all changed when the visitors brought on the powerful Benito Lowe. Suddenly they looked more menacing, and it was only a matter of time.

As the clock ticked down there was an increasingly ominous feeling about the outcome. A through ball on the Chadderton right, saw Rams keeper Brad Rose rush out of his box but fail to get the ball. Chadderton’s striker rounded him and then planted the ball towards the empty goal. As the visiting supporters prepared to celebrate it landed just wide of the post for a remarkable escape.

With five minutes remaining came a roll of the dice as Rhys Turner, perhaps with the dreaded prospect of penalties in mind, appeared. It made little difference as the Rams reprieve proved short-lived.

Lowe made a run from the halfway line, powering through a series of blue shirts. He attacked the box where his cross was touched past Rose by Lewis-Simon Byrne, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling fans massed behind and to his being mobbed by teammates running from all over the pitch.

In truth, it was more no more than the visitors deserved in a match where neither keeper had a save of any note to make. They had set up well to deal with the home side which they did expertly, awaiting their moment.

The match ended a few minutes later as the visitors held an on-field celebration. The Rams ultras, muted, perhaps in response to their team’s no-show, seemed almost resigned to watching the spontaneous party unfold at the other end. Rammy clocked up an incredible 195 points over two wonderful seasons but it has counted for nothing as their quest for promotion ended with a whimper rather than a bang.

The defeat hurts and there will be time in the off season for calm heads to chart the way ahead with the club in the North West Counties League for another year.