We give you an update on how our younger players are getting on whilst being away from the club.
Starting with Lloyd Rigby… Vauxhall Motors were away at Gainsborough in the Blue Square North in a game where they were without three of their usual back four. Despite a scrappy start at Northolme, Rigby managed to tip over an early Gainsborough effort as the first half finished a rather dull 0 - 0.
The second half was a story of domination from Gainsborough as they scored a couple of minutes after kick off with Alex Rodman tapping in the opener. Rodman made it two only three minutes later, firing a quality shot past Rigby having latched onto a ‘perfect pass’.
And Gainsborough’s McMahon scored a diving header with ten minutes left to well and truly finish the game off.
On a more positive note for Lloyd Rigby, apparently he was the difference in the second half as Burton Albion cruised to the third round of the FA Carlsberg trophy with a 4-1 over Vauxhall Motors. With former Chester striker Daryl Clare bagging himself a brace.
Vauxhall Motors have now lost four in their last four fixtures. Good luck with that team Rigby!
On a more local note, youth team players Rob Crank and Joe Reidy were involved in their first game at Ramsbottom United, where the pair are both on work experience.
Striker Rob Crank started for Ramsbottom and scored only 4 minutes into his debut away at Chadderton on Saturday. The goal came after neat work on the wing by Matt Ward, who beat his marker, and delivered in an ‘inch perfect’ cross which Crank duly finished with style.
Crank was nearly put through two minutes later, but for a last ditch challenge preventing Crank with a free run on goal. But it was minutes later when the game turned on its head as Chadderton started to pile the pressure on the visitors.
Although it wasn’t till the second half that Chadderton scored. Chadderton equalised just after half time with Cregan smashing the ball into an empty net. Chadderton then took the lead after a scramble which came as a result to a ‘dubious free-kick decision’.
And despite Ramsbottom equalising late on with an Eckersley effort, they were dumped out of the Cup as the ball fell kindly for Chadderton’s Fulham who made no mistake from five yards out.
Joe Reidy was named on the bench but I'm not sure whether he came on or not. Ramsbottom lost 3-2.