Ransomes management team continue to stress the need for patience after a rocky start to the season where signs of progress have been hard to find in terms of results, perhaps down to the inexperience of this young group. After a summer of change at Sidegate Avenue, many would worry an autumn of discontent has arrived (but not at Ransomes).
Five matches into an unprecedented season, Ransomes have still yet to record a single league point, but against league leaders Occold, there were hints that some of the youngsters were starting to find their feet. It has been a frustrating start to the campaign, but there is now hope that they will eventually make a difference as a collective. The managers have the confidence in every single player in the squad, and it is about how to help them develop, and how they respond.
An 83rd minute free kick from visitors Occold, which crashed against the bar and then deflected off the diving Gareth Hayler gave the visitors victory after Ransomes had clawed their way back into the game with a sublime goal from young Ben Hoggarth.
It was a contest that crackled with attacking verve with most of the first half momentum with the visitors. Occold never dipped in intensity during that period but they could not find the breakthrough. It took until the 39th minute for debut making Gareth Hayler to make his first real save of the half, touching over an angled drive bound for the far corner.
Ransomes did have the occassional moment and they came close a few minutes earlier as Cook turned aside Ricky Dunne’s 25 yarder low to his left – it was Ransomes only tangible opening of a half where the visitors held the upper hand.
Occold quickly regained their composure and rhythm following the interval but the opening goal, on 48 minutes, came in peculiar circumstances with the visitors gaining a penalty when little contact appeared to be made. As a defender, it was a good block, as a striker, you’ll make the most of it and take the advantage offered.
In response, this prompted Ransomes into regular substitutions in search of some sort of initiative to get back into the game. Opportunities came and went. Brandon Archer lobbed the advancing keeper only to see his effort fall the wrong side of the post. Cook in the visitors goal then spilled a Jack Severy free kick, and the resulting attempt at goal was cleared by a covering defender as at last Ransomes looked hungry to equalise.
In fairness, Occold looked better equipped to add to their tally as, defensively, and out of possession, Ransomes still looked fragile. Yet, despite this, it was the home side who went on to level the match on 80 minutes. It came from the left side through Ben Hoggarth who had flourished on his audition for a starting spot following his introduction to the game in the 58th minute. He carved out an attacking route through the opposition defence and expertly struck his shot beyond the keeper and in-off the far post – it was a glorious strike from the youngster to open his club account.
From the joy of an equaliser for Ransomes, there was a deeper pain to follow inside a further three minutes. Callum Meadows, who had performed well throughout on his debut, reached for the agricultural playbook in upending an Occold player as he raced away from him towards goal. Suddenly there was pressure on Ransomes as they conceded a free-kick in a dangerous, central position in front of goal. It was a tough watch as the ball struck the bar and then keeper Hayler before entering the net. It was a touch of good fortune for the visitors but overall, it was all about what each side could do in the final third of the pitch, and that…….. has to belong to Occold.