Glossop played well at the Riverside a few weeks ago and proved good value for one one draw and a stubborn performance, so a chance to see whether progress had been made. Remarkably this was the 23rd fixture in the 46-game programme and represents the league season’s halfway stage. The Rams have risen to the top of the table playing some delightful football, including a string of notable victories away from home.
Playing in unfamiliar red the opening 20 minutes were tentative as the Rams tried to get the wing backs Hayhurst and Radcliffe involved but the ball was cleared and often out of play, producing an endless series of throw ins, and notable only for Harvey Whyte’s picking up a yellow for a robust challenge. Rams persisted and started to find the rhythm their free-flowing passing game is based around and to push Glossop back. However, another challenge by Whyte on the half hour led to a significant change in the game.
The Rams forward received a yellow and then, to everybody’s horror realised he already had one, and the red card flourished. Whyte had to go - a big blow as he was starting to pull the strings The man advantage encouraged Glossop, with both players and crowd responding and now it was time for the depleted Rams to be forced back. Things could have been even worse, as Scott Sephton went down and hobbled to the side as Rams played for a time with nine men.
Marshalled by Teague and the outstanding Maine Walder, the visitors held firm and reorganised. The .