Colne came out on top in the Lancashire derby against fellow strugglers Ramsbottom United at Holt House on Saturday. It was a must-win game for the Reds as they look to improve their position at the foot of the table and they took all three points in a closely fought encounter, a result which sees Ramsbottom relegated.
Both sides showed attacking ideas in the opening stages on a heavy pitch and Malick Diakite supplied good crosses from the right wing in the Colne attack. While at the other end, Wealth Dasilva and Jordan Scanlon led the visitors’ attack with some dangerous runs. Jacob Bridges did well to cut out Dasilva’s cross in the Colne penalty area and Scanlon’s shot was pushed round the post with a good save by Hakan Burton in the Colne nets.
The game was end-to-end and Colne came close when Harry Winstanley had shots blocked from a couple of half chances inside the visitors’ penalty area. And the Reds took the lead after 24 minutes when Ellis Wallbank supplied a low cross from the bye line and Matty Kardacz found the net with a shot on the half volley into the far corner of the net.
Ramsbottom looked for a reply and forced corners at the other end but the Colne defence stood firm and cleared shots by Scanlon from their goalmouth. But with half time approaching, it was Colne who looked more likely to add to the scoreline with Luke Stowe making good runs on the left wing and Diakite and Danny Kyobe pushing forward on the right.
As the second half began, Colne continued to attack but after 55 minutes it was Ramsbottom who scored to equalise when Scanlon found the Colne net with a low shot into the far corner. The goal lifted the visitors and nine minutes later Ramsbottom came close again when Scanlon’s shot was deflected wide of the Colne goal by a defender.
But within a minute, Colne regained the lead with a great counterattack when Burton’s long ball sent Lucas Weaver on a run through the middle and he outpaced the defender before finding the net with a shot past the advancing keeper to put his side in front.
Colne pushed forward looking for more goals and created a series of chances with Weaver shooting over the bar from a good opening and Kyobe seeing his chip over the keeper drift wide of the far post.
At the other end, Colne’s defence looked secure to keep out some late Ramsbottom attacks and the Reds ran out worthy winners with a good performance on the day.