Nine-Man Rams Win at Maldon

THE GREAT Notley Rams had their first taste of 9-a-side football when they took on the Maldon & Tiptree Panthers on the main pitch at the Wallace Binder Stadium in Maldon on Saturday.

The friendly fixture had been arranged between the two teams to give them both a taste of 9-a-side football, and took place ahead of the Ryman League Division One North match between Maldon & Tiptree and Enfield Town.

And it was the Rams who emerged victorious thanks to a fine headed goal from Matthew Littlejohn and a brace from James O'Reilly.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a back three from Tom Hunt, Emma Root, Joel Griffiths and Jamie McNeilly, a midfield trio from Jonathan Stoneman, O'Reilly, Littlejohn, Olivia Hales and Matthew Norris, while Sam Donnelly, Ben Rodley, George Morris and Harvey Ricci all took turns playing as a striking pair.

And in the opening exchanges it was clear that the Rams were more than an equal match for the Panthers who play in the division above them in the Blackwater & Dengie League, and they took the lead when Stoneman flighted a deep corner to the back post, where Littlejohn was on hand to head home.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Hunt made a fantastic saving tackle when a Panthers breakaway looked like it was going to end in a shot on goal, the Rams defender running from the halfway line to make the sliding stop.

The Rams continued to have chances with all four strikers going close, or pushing the Panthers keeper to make good saves, before a scramble in the six yard box was hammered home by O'Reilly just before the break.

In the second half the Rams started to knock the ball around well, utilising both the surface and the space to their best advantage, and it was from one of those neat moves that O'Reilly got his second. He was freed by a pass from Morris and then picked his spot in the corner of the Panthers net.

Shortly before the final whistle the Panthers pulled one back, after their left winger was allowed time on the ball, but it was to prove a consolation goal.

After the match, both teams provided a guard of honour for the subsequent Ryman League fixture and then had their photo taken with the home team.

Rams boss John Stoneman said: "I'd like to thank the Maldon management for providing us with this fantastic opportunity to play on their main pitch. It was a fabulous experience for the team. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and it was great fun playing with new formations at 9-a-side.

"The hospitality we were shown by Maldon was amazing."

Rams Take Semi Final Lead

FOUR GOALS from Sam Donnelly helped the Great Notley Rams to a three-goal 'half time' lead in the semi finals of the Osea Division League Cup, as they ran out four-one winners over Dunmow United Hawks on Notley Green on Sunday.

Donnelly was rampant in front of goal, and while he helped himself to four, he was denied even more by some good goalkeeping by the Hawks' custodian.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a back two from Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Emma Root, midfield from Jonathan Stoneman, Matthew Littlejohn and Olivia Hales, with Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley up front.

And in a close first half, it was clear that both teams had their eye on the prize of a place in the cup final, as they fought equally for the ball in midfield, and both had chances in front of goal.

In fact Donnelly had already hit the post when he opened his account with a fine shot after six minutes, and then he extended the lead shortly before half time when another shot just squeezed past the keeper and into the net.

As the Rams had seen in recent weeks though, this Dunmow side does not give up, and they took advantage of some slack defending to grab a goal back as the second half opened up.

However there was not to be a return to the previous game where the Hawks grabbed three in the second half, as Donnelly completed his hat trick and then added one more for luck to give the Rams the advantage going into next Sunday's second leg.

Rams boss John Stoneman said: "We know that this is only half time, and on Dunmow's pitch which is slightly smaller than are own, they are certainly going to enjoy home pitch advantage, so we will have to make sure that we start the next game forgetting the fact that we are in the lead."

Rams Beaten By Falcons

THE RAMS suffered another defeat on Sunday after losing out to the Galleywood Youth Falcons.

With two Galleywood teams in the division the Rams seemed to have played them a hundred times already this year, and each game has been a tough affair.

And despite goals from Sam Donnelly and an own goal the Falcons did enough to emerge three-two winners.

Rams Defeat Hawks

A FIRST HALF hat-trick from Harvey Ricci helped the Rams to victory over the Dunmow United Hawks although they had to withstand a spirited Hawks comeback in the second half.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defensive pair from Jonathan Stoneman, Emma Root and Jamie McNeilly, midfield from Olivia Hales, James O'Reilly and Matthew Norris, with Ben Rodley, George Morris and Ricci up front.

Morris opened the scoring early in the match, to be followed by all three of Ricci's the pick of which was a lovely passing move through from midfield.

But in the second half the Hawks clawed one back, and then as the Rams pushed forward they were twice caught on the break as the Hawks narrowed the deficit to just one goal.

However the home side hung on to emerge 4-3 winners.

Rams Tame Lions Again

ALMOST A full month after their last competitive action following weeks of inclement weather, the Rams took to the field again and completed a fine win over table-topping Meadow Youth.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defensive pair from Jonathan Stoneman, Tom Hunt and Jamie McNeilly, midfield from Matthew Littlejohn, James O'Reilly and Matthew Norris, with Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Harvey Ricci up front.

And after a competitive opening ten minutes between these two closely matched sides, it was the Rams that took the lead after a goalmouth scramble saw George Morris bundle the ball over the line.

Shortly after that, Sam Donnelly took advantage of some space in the middle and a goalkeeper out of position to race through and hammer the ball low into the net.

At half time the Rams were leading two-nil and they extended the lead shortly afterwards when Donnelly added his second, before the Lions pulled one back when a corner was headed into his own net by James O'Reilly. It was a good header though!

O'Reilly then made ammends by quickly restoring the three-goal lead this time with a low shot at the right end.

Rams boss John Stoneman said: "After our disappointing January and inactivity in February, it was great to come back and take on a team like Meadow and beat them so comprehensively. We've beaten them three times out of four this season and that's something to be proud of as they are top of the league.

"It sets us up for a semi-final with Dunmow United Hawks."

Hawks Complete Miserable January For Rams

THE RAMS suffered a winless January after losing out with the last kick of the game to the Galleywood Youth Hawks.

These teams have played each other a number of times in the last two years, but none of the matches have been as close as this, with both sides struggling to cope with a heavy surface.

And despite goals from Sam Donnelly and George Morris, which had given the Rams a two-one lead, the Hawks fought back and won the match with the last kick of the game.

Rams And Falcons In Stalemate

THE RAMS came from behind again to secure a crucial league cup point against the Galleywood Youth Falcons in Chelmsford on Sunday.

The home team went ahead early in the second half after the Rams defence failed to pick up an unmarked man in their area.

But with time running out in the second half it was Jonathan Stoneman who drilled a shot into the bottom of the Falcons net to restore parity.

And as the game concluded it was the Rams in the ascendancy, although they weren't able to find a winner.