Rams victory in hard fought battle against Sittingbourne

Rams vs Sittingbourne

Supporters were expecting a real challenge yesterday (September 29) as the Rams took on Sittingbourne, a team they have always struggled to beat in recent times having only one win at Woodstoock in the recent past and that in a Kent cup game.

It was a match with very few clear-cut chances and a lot of long range off target shooting especially from the Rams.

We saw the two sides battle hard to gain any sort of hold on the game with the odd chance; some good inter-play between the Rams’ forward line saw Stannard going down the left-hand side quite often but good cover work from the Brickies defence meant there was often no end product.

The Brickies had the best chance of the first half right at half time when Dawdou (9) fired a shot past Watkins only to find a flying George Crimmen clear on the goal line and keeping the half all square.

The second half was much the same with some feisty challenges coming in from the Brickies. Both sides created chances and the Brickies looked dangerous from their corners but Watkins in the Rams’ goal seemed able to catch the vast majority without too much pressure, with the Rams countering the Brickies with very quick breaks on every occasion they got the ball.

The 67th minute saw another break by the Rams and a suspect challenge on Stannard, who was clearly through only to be taken from behind by Fagg, resulting in a minor scuffle. Stannard reacted to it verbally whilst still on the floor, but it was Tommie Fagg overreacting and looking as if he were about to throw a punch that received his marching orders.

The Rams buoyed by having the extra man seemed to struggle to get their passes to connect, and we looked like we were heading for a nil all.

The Rams were awarded a free kick in the 86th minute from a lazy forwards challenge and from about 25 yards out the two man wall broke as the Rams looked like playing a short one down the line, giving Penny the opportunity to hit the ball into the box low and hard. With some very poor defending, the ball ended at the feet of Smith and he fired home low and hard to take the three points for the Rams.

Overall the game lacked goals but certainly had the passion of a derby game match – Man of the match George Crimmen for some stout defending and the save on the line.

Score: Sittingbourne 0 Ramsgate 1

Sittingbourne: Patrick Lee, Chris Webber, Reiss Crimmen, Dan Parkinson (Harrison Hatfull 80’), Lex Allan, Ben Fitchett, Ira Jackson, Lewis Chambers, Mobolaji Dawodu, Tommie Fagg, Tom Loynes (Nathan Elder 73’). Unused Subs: Josh Dorling, Joe Denny, Harry Brooks.

Ramsgate: Luke Watkins, Jake Mackenzie, George Crimmen, Jacob Mensah, Luke Wheatley, Billy Munday (Jake Munday 90), Tom Chapman, Charlie Dickens, Harry Stannard (Jack Penny 80’), Rory Smith, Kyron Lightfoot (Sam Lawford 61’). Unused Subs:  Liam Dickson, , Matt

Report by Andy Mason