FA Vase Round 1

Saturday 3rd October 2009

There was more than just the prize money and the chance to progress in this competition at stake, with both clubs a mere seven miles apart local pride was also at stake and although Bacup progressed in the competition both sides were a credit to the Vodkat League which they represent and the FA Vase Competition.

The game was played in a competitive manner given what was at stake and was a highly entertaining game played in a manner that the FA would be proud given the promoting of their respect campaign. Both teams gave their all with not one bit of the ugly side of the game creeping in, helped by an excellent referee in Mr Cropp.

The Bacup manager Brent Peters had stated he would be making changes following their mid week defeat and changes he made. In came Adrian Bellamy and his former captain Steve Stott, a surprise inclusion in to the squad. Lee Ellis and Moises Costa Soares were given their first start for several games and both Ellis and Soares made important contributions in this game.

On 7 minutes Moises punished the Ramsbottom keeper who was keeping an high line robbing the keeper to shoot his side into an early lead and settle any early match tension. From this moment on throughout the first half Bacup played a disciplined game preventing the home side from building from the back restricting them in the main to knocking the ball long. Bacup were comfortable with this winning the majority of second balls in order to mount their own attack’s,

On 50 minutes Ramsbottom were level, the goal came from Bacup conceding possession too easily starting when Warren Collier had the ball in the right channel of the Ramsbottom half of the pitch. He played the ball back to Adrian Bellamy who opted for a square ball into Jamie Rother in the centre of midfield, Jamie took a bad touch which allowed Ramsbottom to capitalise upon, they broke quickly down the pitch playing the ball across the face of the goal and when the ball came back in from the opposite side O’Neil was there to stab the ball home.

Bacup Borough made two changes Jamie Rother was replaced by Matthew Hampson & Warren Collier was replaced by Lee Ellis and soon after Lee Oldham was injured and he was replaced with Ricardo Brandao.

For the remainder of the half following the Rams getting back on level terms the game could have gone either way however in the last few minutes of the game the Bacup keeper Tommy Allen made an almighty important stop when the tiring back four failed to squeeze up the pitch. The ball was in the Ramsbottom’s right channel, with the Bacup back line playing relatively deep, veteran striker Barry Massey pulled off his defender into space, the ball was chipped over to him leaving him one v one against Tommy Allen but the Bacup veteran keeper produced all his experience in making a vital stop which sent this pulsating tie into extra time.

Supporters were now given extra value for their money with two teams giving their all for another thirty minutes, typical of how the afternoon had gone it was once again Bacup that got themselves in front, Ricardo Brandao linked with Lee Ellis who spotted the Ramsbottom keeper off his line to execute an excellent lob over him into the net on ninety three minutes. Eight minutes later for the first time in the game Bacup bought themselves a two goal cushion when Martin Cosgrave was put through on goal to finish well capping a tireless performance. However from hero to zero as one minute later Cosgrave switched off at the opposite end of the pitch allowing Ramsbottoms livelily Matt Edgington to drift in to get onto the end of a cross from Ramsbottoms left.

The second period of extra time got under way with the game still very much in the balance until four minutes from time when Lee Ellis finished well to end any hopes of another Ramsbottom come back.

Manager Brent Peters Had This To Say “I am highly delighted not only by the result but by the character shown by the players today. In the past I have accused some of not digging in when the going gets tough. However that myth can be forgotten after this display, Bacup Borough gave a true honest gritty performance with some excellent finishes and although our football was never going to be as fluent as it can be as Ramsbottom would never allow that with their unbelievable work ethics. The team was selected for the occasion, the introduction of players that would give us that chance to go toe to toe with them. The game plan of ensuring our two front lads stopped the supply to their full backs when they had possession at the back worked and this enabled us to keep two good disciplined banks of four. Balls knocked long by them we were winning and building upon.

I must be honest in saying that at half time I was not comfortable with only a one goal lead mainly due to the fact that the longer the game would go on I was worried about some of our fitness levels. Take the back four, three of them have not had many games and neither have they had many training sessions. In fact Steve Stott’s first and only session was Thursday and it was little wonder they were deep in the closing minutes of the game. That lapse or lack of fitness to give us an higher line almost cost us, thankfully Tommy Allen proved what a vital part of this team he is.

There is no doubt in my mind that we fully deserved to progress, however I must give Ramsbottom credit their never say die attitude was a credit to their Management team an attitude which will take them along way this season. Whilst delighted for Bacup Borough it’s a sad day that our other local side has had to go out at such an early stage particular having worked so hard, however that is football and the luck or the bad luck of the draw”

Team: Tommy Allen, Adrian Bellamy, Davey Luker, Steve Scott, Lee Stott, Warren Collier (Lee Ellis), Jamie Rother ( Matthew Hampson), Aaran Walters, Martin Cosgrave, Moises Costa Soares, Lee Oldham (Ricardo Brandao)

Subs Not Used: Steve Smith, Scott Taylor

Goals: Moises Costa Soares 7, Lee Ellis 93 116, Martin Cosgrave 101

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