Newcastle Town went into their last game of January at Lyme Valley where we entertained Ramsbottom United.
Earlier in the season Castle lost 4-0 away to Ramsbottom in a game in which event the manager would admit we were nowhere near the side we are that day, so in a blustery January afternoon, we looked to get the victors and avenge the defeat.
NEW signing Connor Russo made his debut and there was also starts for Luke Walsh and Ryan Baxter who has recently been out at Stone. But the biggest team news was the return of Jack van der Laan from injury and he, in turn, made his 100th appearance for the club.
There were very limited chances for both sides in the first 20 minutes as most of the ball was played in and around the middle of the park, however, Castle was then forced into a tactical change just after the half-hour as Luke Walsh appeared to aggravate his injury and was replaced by the returning Jake Lovatt, and only a few minutes later castle were awarded a freekick and Ethan Vale proved why he is deadly with a set-piece with a pinpoint ball into the box for Tommy van der Laan to head home his 4th of the season.
Which allowed Castle to go in at the break 1 goal to the good.
Half Time
Castle 1-0 Ramsbottom
In the second half Castle had an early chance to extend the lead when Lovatt's shot from outside the box was saved well by Stewart in the Ramsbottom goal, but on 53 minutes Ramsbottom had a corner and Castle failed to deal with it and it was Flemming who rose up and powered a header into the back of the net to bring the game back level.
Both teams continued to press forward in search of breaking the score but both failed to find the net with Joe Slinn pulling off a fantastic save from a freekick with just 10 minutes left to play.
With time nearly up, Jason Carey was sent off for Ramsbottom with a straight red for kicking out at Ethan Vale and then blocking us taking a quick freekick, but there was not enough time for Castel to capitalise on the extra man advantage and the ref called for full time.
TINSDILLS MAN OF THE MATCH
Jack van der Laan