20/04/2023
By Chris Gibbs
It hardly seems possible that we’re here already, but this weekend will be the final league match of the campaign for our first team.
There’s been more than a few bumps in the road this time round, however we go into our trip to already relegated Ramsbottom on Saturday knowing that our place in the Northern Premier League West Division is assured for another season.
And in a season where a lot of teams have been bunched around the middle to lower reaches of the league table, it is actually possible – albeit rather unlikely – that we could end up as high as 11th.
Paul Moore’s first two games have seen a tightening up at the back with deserved clean sheets in both games of his reign but the season’s finale will be an opportunity for our new manager to blood in a few less familiar names, as he continues to learn more about the squad.
The arrival of new faces is naturally a given come August, but Paul will no doubt have been really impressed by what he has seen so far.
There’s been a little freshening of personnel and players have responded well to the asks made of them. If this is a sign of things to come, then it’s a shame in many ways that the season draws to a conclusion in north-east Manchesteron Saturday.
Ramsbottom have been rooted to the bottom of the table since around January when Widnes started their improbable – but now quite likely – Houdini escape act.
Rammie, as they are affectionately known, have won only once this year and for them the season’s end cannot come soon enough.
Having said that, it is a chance for the Bury-based club to secure a league double having beaten us at Buckmaster Avenue in November. A parting gift to the league if you like.
Just a note from all of us here in the media team to end - if you’re not able to get to the game on Saturday, do keep following our progress on our social media channels and we look forward to entertaining you with our varied content over the close season and into the new campaign.
Take care everyone.