THE NORTHERN Hotel Rams are once again within striking distance of the Minor Premiership title.
The Rams’ Reserves opened Sunday’s proceedings with yet another huge win over Lismore’s Italo Stars. Four goals to Byron’s own star striker, Will Ennis, three to Tomás Do Prado Coelho and an own goal from Italo took the boys to an eight-goal victory and a total of 85 goals for the season to date.
The Ressies still share the top of the table with Richmond Rovers with a goal difference lead of 28.
Despite the Rams’ overwhelming lineup of talent, the underdog Stars held the Rams to 0–0 scoreline into the break.
Repeated attacking moves from Golden Boot leader Aaron Walker, midfielders Lachie Dewar, Quinn McDonald and veteran Sam Owens bore no fruit for Byron until the opening minutes of the second session when Owens put the spill from a goalmouth skirmish back into the box and found the head of Dewar.
Italo fought back strongly but as fatigue and the relentless pressure from the Rams began to take their toll, the contest began to get a little ragged.
Finally, an Aaron Walker rush on goal was impeded by the Stars’ keeper and Walker buried the resulting penalty to lock in a 2–0 Rams win.
With just three rounds remaining, the Byron Prems still share second spot with arch rivals Rovers, six points adrift on goal difference.
Byron’s chance to challenge for the lead comes this Saturday when the Rams take on Goonellabah in Lismore. The Reserves kick off at 1pm and the Prems at 3pm.