Though Jack Sinnott’s goal shortly before the break drew the Reds level, two second half strikes from Lee Gaskell steered the hosts to victory.

The result was a fair reflection of the games, as apart from a short period from just before they equalised till half time, AFC Liverpool were never really in the game and allowed the home side to be too comfortable in possession.

The opening goal came on fifteen minutes when Leon Bimpson came off his line but failed to claim Mark Ayres’ long ball into the area. Jordan Hulme nicked possession and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle.

The home side continued to have the better of the game. Ian Flannery was only a whisker away from turning home Gaskell’s driven cross and a vital touch was needed by Adam Farley to prevent Gaskell converting Philip Dean’s square ball.

Having not been any threat, the Reds suddenly piped up after thirty five minutes and soon drew themselves level. Steven Jones fired a shot straight into the midriff of Grant Shenton and a minute later Jones combined with Nevil Picton to feed Muktar Mahama. Forced just a little wide by the pace of the ball, Mahama still fired in a shot that Shenton had to turn around the post. From the resulting corner, the ball was returned to Jones and his inswinging cross to the six yard line was nodded home by Sinnott.

Suddenly buoyed, AFC Liverpool began to put pressure on the hosts and they looked vulnerable but a lack of sharpness from those the red shirts saw them fail to capitalise. Hopes though were there that they could take the initiative into the second half but it never materialised and Ramsbottom were back on the front foot.

Bimpson kept the scores level with some fine saves, first turning behind Hulme’s header before needing a strong hand to palm away Dean’s fierce drive. The Reds’ keeper was in action again shortly after, blocking Michael Morrison’s drive with his legs but Bimpson could do nothing to prevent Gaskell’s first. Picking the ball up thirty yards out, he worked his way to the edge of the area before driving home into the top corner.

Still in the ascendency, Rasmbottom pushed for a third. Hulme sent a delicate chip inches over the bar before Gaskell grabbed his second of the match on sixty eight minutes. Flicking Hulme’s knock down away from Chris Williams gave Gaskeel the space he need to fire low past Bimpson to seal the result for his team.

AFC Liverpool huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a rhythm and it wasn’t until the final seconds that Shenton was forced into a save, blocking Shaun Gardner’s shot on the turn.

Ramsbottom United 3-1 AFC Liverpool
Hulmes 15′                                         Sinnott 38′
Gaskell 55′, 68′

Attendance: 147

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams.