RAMSBOTTOM United took maximum points from their first two games of the season, with Ruben Jerome the match-winner on both occasions.

Rammy came from two goals down to beat visitors Widnes 3-2 in their first game on Saturday, Nic Evangelinos, Irywah Gooden and Jerome all capitalising on dangerous crosses from Tom Kennedy after Widnes centre-back Danny Shaw had been sent off shortly before half time.

Their midweek appointment saw the Rams make the 200-mile round trip to North Yorkshire side Pickering Town, and once again they had to come from behind to take the spoils.

Pickering began brightly and opened the scoring with their first attack less than two

minutes in.

A pass from Ged Dalton opened up the visitors defence and Danny Earl latched onto the through ball before rounding Rams keeper Tom Stewart and slotting into an empty net.

Ramsbottom reacted in a positive manner with wide men Gooden and Evangelinos posing a threat although Matt Turnbull and Jake Watson were impressive at the heart of the Pikes’ defence.

Mason Fawns twice went close for Rammy but sent one effort over the bar and saw a second cleared off the line.

Despite having the majority of possession and creating numerous promising set-piece situations the away side couldn’t force Harrison Foulkes in the Pikes’ goal into any serious

action.

With less than 10 minutes played of the second half played Ramsbottom had the ideal opportunity to level things up when Gooden surged into the box before being bundled to the ground by a recovering Pikes defender.

The official pointed to the spot but unfortunately the

usually-reliable Evangelinos saw his spot-kick saved by Hull City’s loanee goalkeeper Foulkes.

Jerome also went close when Tom Kennedy’s quickly-taken free kick picked out the striker, his flicked header tipped over by Foulkes.

Chris Willcock’s side were having the lion’s share of the possession and attacking menace, but Pickering defended their lead stubbornly, throwing bodies in front of the ball with increasing regularity while retaining an attacking threat of their own.

But it was a two-minute spell just after the 70-minute mark that turned the game completely on its head.

A cross from the right wing found the unmarked Gooden at the far post and the youngster controlled the ball well before placing an excellent shot into the top corner to deservedly get the Rams back on level terms.

Then within a minute Ramsbottom took the lead when a clever through ball penetrated the Pickering defensive line, giving Jerome a run through on goal.

Buoyed by his stoppage-time winner from Saturday, Jerome held off his marker before confidently striding forward into the penalty area and sending a well-struck shot past Foulkes and into the bottom corner to give the Rams the lead and the forward notched the decisive goal for the second consecutive match.

The remainder of the evening saw Pickering continue to push players forward in search of a leveller with Kelvin Lugsden and Kennedy organising the Rams’ backline and Stewart looking assured between the sticks.

After the 90 minutes were up there was one last moment of concern for the away team when a cross was played deep into the penalty area, a home forward getting to the ball first but sending his header wide.

The full-time whistle signalled a second victory for Willcock’s men, the first time since the 2010/11 season Rammy have taken six points from their first two league games.