Bishops Stortford Swifts 1 - 4 Leigh Ramblers
Match report by Paul Cannon

Ramblers headed off on one of their longest travels in the league, to the excellent facilities at Bishop Stortford Swifts.

Having seen their playing performances pick up sharply of late including a very narrow defeat last week at home in the Essex County Cup to runaway league leaders Catholic Utd, they were keen to build momentum on the upward progression.

A huge game for both sides who are languishing at the wrong end of the table and with things so tight down in the bottom half, this game was what you would describe as a real 6 pointer. Rams went into the game with a few changes from last weeks game and lined up as follows: Caras, Cannon (C), Taylor, Arrowsmith, Greaves, Ransome, Wood, Galea, Gunn, Meads, Bracci. Subs: Georgiou, Reeves, Pitts.

Despite the heavy rainfall this week the pitch at Bishops Stortford is without doubt the best grass pitch in the league and the Rams started fast, keen to set their stall out early. Right from the start the Rams' pace up front looked like it would cause a problem for the Swifts side and they very quickly tested them. After just 3 minutes the Rams got their dream start, some superb play from Billy Ransome after he was set free wide on the right flank resulted in him putting in a great cross, which was met by the head of Luis Bracci 6 yards out and he despatched it into the back of the net.

That goal was just the start as the Rams confidence flowed throughout the team, first to virtually every challenge with the Rams coming out on top in all the individual battles. The midfield were totally in command and some of the passages of play were a joy to watch. Galea coming in for his first start of the season saw plenty of ball and he was able to fuel, Taylor, Meads, Bracci and Ransome who were looking to pressure the Stortford back line and goal. Bracci had a good one on one chance with the home keeper and then saw a header come back off the post as the Rams desperately tried to extend their lead. Several corners ensued and the Rams didn’t have to wait too long before they doubled their lead. That goal came from Jacob Meads who had been lively from the start and he reacted quickly to force the ball home past the Stortford keeper.

The Rams defence were solid and able to keep the home side at a distance and this gave them a good platform to build from. Rams continued to dominate and on 23 minutes 2-0 became 3-0. More Rams pressure resulted in another corner on the left. A good delivery into the box from skipper Pat Cannon was met with a powerful header from Jacob Meads and he had his second of the match, 3-0 Rams and they were flying.

Despite continuing to dominate for the remainder of the half they were unable to increase their lead and went into the break with a very healthy 3-0 advantage.

Obviously they knew that the second half would likely see an improved performance from the home side who would have been on the receiving end of tough team talk at half time. As expected they came out for the second half with greater desire, however this was met with the same determination from the Rams and all areas of the pitch saw a number of big battles taking place. Stortford made a few early changes and 10 minutes into the second half Rams keeper Caras made a fine full length save from distance to push the ball wide of goal.

This game was a little more even now, and the home side then got some reward, having won a corner, a good inswinging delivery saw the Rams concede, despite the best efforts from Josh Arrowsmith who saw his attempted clearance go into his own net.

How would the Rams react? The answer was positively. The battle intensified threatening to boil over at one stage which saw three players go into the book. Rams made some changes, Galea came off for Max Pitts who went to left back and pushed Sam Taylor further forward, and that was followed by Georgiou coming on for Wood and finally Reeves for Ransome.

With Stortford struggling to get back into the game and tiring the Rams once again started to dominate. Meads had a good chance to claim a well deserved hat trick after some excellent work from Bracci but the faintest of touches from the home keeper saw the ball go through Meads legs just as he was about to convert. Two very calculated challenges resulted in further bookings for the home side as Rams looked to break clean through and only some leniency from the officials prevented from harsher punishments. Rams used the rolling subs to effect maintaining the tempo as players returned to the fray and just a couple of minutes from time saw them capitalise on their dominance. It was certainly worth waiting for, goal of the game and also a contender for Rams goal of the season at this stage. A great cross from the right flank was met at pace by Sam Taylor just inside the penalty box, with the outside of his boot he hit the ball back across goal into the far top corner of the net with a really stunning finish.

That was the end of any resistance and not long after the Ref blew for full time.

The result saw the Rams move up to 11th.