Ramsbottom United ended the 2007-08 season with silverware after coming from behind to secure the Bolton Hospitals Cup for the third consecutive year.

Andy Sensale struck twice to give the Rams the victory after they had fallen behind to a wonderfully executed half-volley on 55 minutes.

The first half saw what seemed a tactical affair as both sides prodded and probed each other looking for the slightest opportunity to draw first blood.

It was the Rams who almost took the lead when an inviting cross was headed just inches over the bar by midfielder Matty Kay (below).

At the other end Stoneclough made some promising moves but their final ball to their front men was at times too wasteful and the Rams easily defended their goal.

Possession wise, the Rams just shaded the first half and they were unlucky on a couple of attempts when well placed with one or two freekicks.    Unfortunately they failed to test the keeper.

The second half started with Stoneclough on the ascendancy and they took the lead when Andrew Moores - making his debut for the Rams in goal, could only watch as the ball was hit with extreme accuracy and it looped over the defence and keeper and into the back of the net. 

Ramsbottom nearly got back on level terms just 4 minutes later when a mazy run by Matt Eckersley found the Ramsbottom man advance into the Stoneclough area and as he smashed a powerful shot across goal it only needed the slightest touch to see the ball hit the net but unfortunately for the Rams there was no-one well placed.

Ten minutes later and the Rams should have equalised when a long ball was played over the Stoneclough defence and with Andy Sensale surging forwards he headed the ball over the keeper.    With the goal at his mercy Sensale was unlucky to see the ball roll agonisingly out of his reach and when he attempted to stretch and hit it goalwards a defender managed to beat him to the ball and clear for a corner.

As the ball was swung into the Stoneclough penalty area, defender Jamie Lester leapt high into the air and headed the ball goalwards and with Sensale slightly off balance he did just enough to put the ball past the keeper and into the net.

This was no-more than the Rams deserved.

At this point it seemed only a matter of time before they took the lead and Sensale almost doubled his tally when he ran into the area and as he tried to pull the ball back it ricochet off a defender, onto the bar and then out for safety.

With time running out the Rams continued to move forwards and with Stoneclough looked weary the Rams took the lead.

Another long ball was played over everybody and Sensale found himself one-on-one with the keeper.   With the deftest of touches he coolly lifted the ball over the shot-stopper and as it bounced over the line the euphoric Rams supporters all stood upto applaud a terrific performance by the Rams hitman and the team as a whole.

Ramsbottom managed to see out the remaining few minutes with ease and when the final whistle went each and every United player punched the air with a sense of achievement.

This was a well earned victory for the men in blue and it was also their third consecutive Bolton Hospitals Cup final win, which now puts them just one more behind the current record of four victories.

Above :  Andy Sensale (goalscorer) and Lee McNally (man of the match)

Above :  Bolton Hospitals Cup Winners 2007-08

After the match, United assistant Ian McLellan had a few words to say :

"Its been a hard season but we have lifted the cup and at the end of the day, a cup is a cup!"

When asked about the possibility of leaving the club due to the poor run of results, McLellan said :

"We (Ian and Neil Hart) are battlers and next season we will have a team good enough to challenge.    There are a couple of new players already lined up and whilst we know this year has been poor it didn't help the fact that we had come in during October and its always difficult.    Yes, we have brought in many new faces but a lot have also left.   Its been a season for both me and Neil to get things settled.

"We aim to do our upmost best for Ramsbottom and its supporters"

Neil Hart said :

"The quality was there tonight.  We passed the ball well and a good surface and in the end our fitness came through.

"We thank people for their support this season.  Its much appreciated and with the players we have lined up for next season we honestly feel we are going in the right directed."