THE RAMS made it back-to-back wins in their league campaign with their first competitive win over Wilvale Rangers in the Blackwater & Dengie League Osea Division.
Last season, the Rangers had held a hex over the Rams in their two encounters, and finished above them in the division, but with this win the visitors have climbed above Wilvale in the early stages of this season's league table.
It was a complete performance from the Rams, spurred on by sensational defending from Jamie McNeilly, Harvey Ricci and a man-of-the-match display from Tom Hunt, while Tom McInerney continued to grow in stature between the goalposts, keeping the visitors in the game with a string of first half saves.
The Rangers had chances in the first period, and the first goal, when it came, was slightly against the run of play, with James O'Reilly drilling a shot which was well saved, and then following up to sidefoot home the rebound to open his goalscoring account for the season.
At half time though the game was still in the balance, and the Rams had to withstand a barrage of corners form the home side, which were well dealt with by the defence, aided and abetted by the midfield trio of O'Reilly, Jonathan Stoneman and Matthew Littlejohn, while Ben Rodley caused a threat up front.
And midway through the second half, they achieved some breathing space, when a goalkeeping clearance was intercepted by striker George Morris, who coolly chested the ball down and then lifted it back over the keeper's head for the second.
At that point, the Rangers' heads dropped, and the Rams' passing game started to increase in its fluency, with some intricate work down the right hand side ending in Sam Donnelly cutting inside his marker to curl home from twenty yards for the Rams' third and decisive goal.
After the match Rams boss John Stoneman said: "I don't think I've ever been prouder of the team. It wasn't just the goals that we took so well, but it was the gritty determination of the team to work hard and get the result. It really was a magnificent team effort."
Next week the Rams are away to Dunmow United Hawks.
Last season, the Rangers had held a hex over the Rams in their two encounters, and finished above them in the division, but with this win the visitors have climbed above Wilvale in the early stages of this season's league table.
It was a complete performance from the Rams, spurred on by sensational defending from Jamie McNeilly, Harvey Ricci and a man-of-the-match display from Tom Hunt, while Tom McInerney continued to grow in stature between the goalposts, keeping the visitors in the game with a string of first half saves.
The Rangers had chances in the first period, and the first goal, when it came, was slightly against the run of play, with James O'Reilly drilling a shot which was well saved, and then following up to sidefoot home the rebound to open his goalscoring account for the season.
At half time though the game was still in the balance, and the Rams had to withstand a barrage of corners form the home side, which were well dealt with by the defence, aided and abetted by the midfield trio of O'Reilly, Jonathan Stoneman and Matthew Littlejohn, while Ben Rodley caused a threat up front.
And midway through the second half, they achieved some breathing space, when a goalkeeping clearance was intercepted by striker George Morris, who coolly chested the ball down and then lifted it back over the keeper's head for the second.
At that point, the Rangers' heads dropped, and the Rams' passing game started to increase in its fluency, with some intricate work down the right hand side ending in Sam Donnelly cutting inside his marker to curl home from twenty yards for the Rams' third and decisive goal.
After the match Rams boss John Stoneman said: "I don't think I've ever been prouder of the team. It wasn't just the goals that we took so well, but it was the gritty determination of the team to work hard and get the result. It really was a magnificent team effort."
Next week the Rams are away to Dunmow United Hawks.
