Ramsbottom United returned to the top of the NWCL Premier Division table with a 3-2 win over Charnock Richard, writes Aaron Benson.

A second half brace from Harvey Whyte proved decisive, although a late goal from Charnock striker Nathan Nickeas left the home fans on tenterhooks. Shay Stansfield opened the scoring with Luke Barlow levelling the scores at half time.

Steve Wilkes rang the changes after the disappointing 3-0 defeat at Lower Breck the previous weekend. Andy Teague returned in place of Harvey Hayhurst, while Rhys Turner replaced Corey Stacey.

After winning six of the past seven games, it was arguably no surprise to see Charnock Richard open the scoring with only six minutes on the clock. Stansfield profited from a Louis Holt cut back to put the visitors in front. A momentous moment for the defender, heading home his first ever goal for the Chorley outfit. Nathan Nickeas also provided a stern test for the Rams defence straight from kick off with a trio of tricky crosses, before almost doubling his sides lead in the 12th minute. Fortunately for the home side, keeper Tommy Davies was equal to the effort.

Despite starting the game on the back foot, Rammy did grow into the game as the half progressed. Defender Luke Barlow saw a deflected shot turned wide of the post before Maine Walder’s header flew wide of the target.

And they drew level in the 34th minute when Barlow scored of goal-of-the-season contender. Driving forward from his own half, the number five exchanged a series of passes with Rhys Turner before firing a shot into the far corner - a brilliant way to score his first Rams goal.

Striker Turner almost had a goal of his own just before the break too. Laying down on goal, the number nine was denied by the run of goalkeeper Ryan Hamer, whose actions kept his side level with an off-putting run. Turner’s effort eventually flew wide of the right-hand post.

Level at the break and now facing a potential three games without victory, the second half display from Wilkes’ side showed exactly why they sit top of the table after 32 games. Four minute safter the restart, the Rams had turned the tide around courtesy of Whyte.

In their first of several marauding second half attacks, an enticing ball from wing back Walder was met by striker Whyte who converted his sixth goal of the season. Now playing their usual free flowing football that fans have become accustomed to this season, it was surely only a matter of time before this game was put to bed.

Substitute Raj Uppal, Whyte and Tom Hoyle all had chances to score the decisive third goal, with keeper Ryan Hamer equal to all attempts. Then in the 70th minute, former Rams keeper Hamer committed a major error by fouling Josh Tinker in the area. Rushing out of goal, Hamer’s rash actions left referee Jon Ashworth-Sears with no choice other than to award a penalty kick.

Whyte duly converted from 12 yards. Converting his seventh of the season, Whyte’s second goal of the evening came after a series of bombardments on the visiting goal, with the attacking football played by the Rams arguably the best supporters have seen all season.

With a two-goal cushion, even the most optimistic Charnock fan would surely have accepted the game was beyond reach. Credit to Ryan Donnellan’s side- the men in green created a nail-biting finish. First, striker Nickeas converted his own spot kick then substitute Kuda Chingwaro nearly levelled the game up with a curling right foot effort in the 96th minute. Fortunately for the Rams, his effort sailed wide of the post. The full-time whistle came as a huge relief to the home faithful.

Manager Steve Wilkes said: “Good to get back to winning ways. I thought second half we were back to what has got us to where we are. I honestly think if we’d gone 5 or 6 up, it wouldn’t have flattered us.

“Credit again to the players for taking on the instructions we gave them at half time.

“Attention now turns to Saturday away at Squires Gate.”

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED:Davis 2. Radcliffe 3. Walder 4. Teague (c) 5. Barlow 6. Winstanley 7. Lynch (Tinker 62’) 8. Baker 9. Turner (Uppal 49’) 10. Whyte 11. Hoyle Subs not used: Hayhurst, Sephton, Stacey