After witnessing his side pick up their fourth win on the bounce last weekend. Joint-Manager, Paul Phillips has urged his side to make it five, as the Robins travel to Ramsbottom United.

‘Phillo’ thanked the Ashton United supporters for clearing snow off the pitch on Saturday. Claiming his side made their efforts look easier with a convincing 3-1 victory against Danny Johnson’s Nantwich Town;

“I was extremely happy after the victory on Saturday. It was a lottery as to whether the game would even be on. However, I give great thanks to the fans who gave their heart and soul to get the game on.”

Adding; “The players made the fans hardwork seem easier after our efforts on the pitch. It was a good win and we deserved to win by more I thought. It was just annoying we only started playing again after Nantwich scored first.”

Between them, Ashley Young and Gary Gee have played 35 and 31 times this season respectively, making them the 1st and 4th most featured players in the side. Add to this that Gee has suffered suspensions and you will see it is a great feat.

Our Joint-Manager Phillo praised every player in the side for their fourth win on the bounce but singled out his ‘midfield battlers’ for added praise;

“Once again Ashley Young and Gary Gee shone for us. Before the game we told them they had two battlers in midfield and they stopped them playing and kept the game flowing for us.”

Ashton United have never played Ramsbottom United in a competitive game before. The Rams plied their trade in the Manchester League’s until 1995 and then the North-West Counties until 2012, only gaining promotion in the 2013/14 season.

Due to the ‘Non-League Family’ the men from the Riverside Stadium have been well watched and Phillo hopes his backroom staffs homework will pay off come 9:45pm tomorrow night;

“It is a huge game. They have a new manager which is never easy, just look at the Matlock match a few weeks ago. Their side is filled with good players. Ackers and I watched them last week against Northwich and we know what they are all about now. Hopefully our homework pays off.”

Ramsbottom United’s side possesses an array of former Ashton United talent, including Ian Bennett, Kyle Harrop, Alex Frost and latterly Chris Baguley amongst other connections. Phillo said it is never good to come up against former players but hopes his side will overcome that and find themselves in second place tomorrow night;

“It’s never good playing against those that have points to prove. They are all good lads and good players and sadly it just didn’t work out for some of them at Hurst Cross, they wanted regular game time and we wished them all the best.”

“It’s a huge carrot for us that a win could push us up to second. Although second means nothing. We want to keep pushing on and winning games and get to the top of the league.”