Rams Book Place In Next Round of Cup

THE RAMS secured their place in the semi-finals of the league cup with a 5-2 win over the Maldon Saints Tigers at Promenade Park on Sunday.

Going into their winner-take-all shoot out, the Rams were hoping to make amends for a lacklustre performance in the previous fixture between the two teams when they had scrapped a two-all draw, and they immediately stamped their authority on the game when James O'Reilly took advantage of a goalkeeping fumble to shoot home from close range in the opening exchanges.

O'Reilly showed his class midway through the half to round the keeper and slot home to extend the lead, while Sam Donnelly made it three with a cooly taken breakaway finish before half time.

In the second half the Rams continued to press, and this lead to some gaps appearing at the back as the game got stretched. Maldon pulled back what seemed to be a consolation goal, but instead this just led to a rapid exchange of goals, with Donnelly adding his second, and George Morris scoring his first goal of the season to cap an excellent individual performance as the Rams ran out 5-2 winners.

The playoff success now sees the Rams move on to face a home and away semi final against league leaders Focus Ferrers Dynamos next month.

Rams Set For League Cup Showdown

THE Great Notley Rams face their biggest game of the season this Sunday when they face the Maldon Saints Tigers in a winner takes all League Cup playoff.

With both teams finishing on the same number of points in the league cup table, the two sides will take part in a one game showdown to see who will proceed to the semi finals, where they will play either Focus Ferrers Dynamo or Wilvale Rangers in a two-leg affair.

Rams boss John Stoneman said: "I actually thought that we were out of the League Cup, because although we finished on the same number of points in the league stage, Maldon had the better goal difference, but apparently we have to go to a play off which suits me down to the ground.

"When we drew with Maldon two weeks ago I told the team that we had likely blown our chances of progression, but now it looks like that last minute equaliser from James O'Reilly has saved the day.

"Maldon are a tough team and we have had some good scraps with them so far this year, but they are yet to beat us, so let's hope we can continue this run for at least one more game."

Standards across the league have clearly been improving in this first year of competitive football for the teams competing the Osea Division of the Blackwater and Dengie league, and the Rams have only tasted victory in one game since October.

Their recent record reads a draw against the Saints Tigers, and then a narrow three-two defeat to Danbury Juniors last Sunday, this after they had held a two-goal lead. But a general lack of match practice due to the inclement weather is partly to blame for this, with lots of games and training sessions falling foul of the weather.

But with conditions improving through January, it is hoped that the team will be able to sharpen up on the pitch and make that progression through to the semi finals.

The match will take place at Promenade Park in Maldon on Sunday with a 10am kick off.

Meanwhile a boot camp style training session in the Discovery Centre will start at 9am on Saturday.

Falcons Fail To Fly

THE Great Notley Rams' game against the Dunmow United Falcons was forfeited by the visitors on Sunday after they arrived at the Discovery Centre with only four players.