By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Rushtall FC 2 Ramsgate FC 1
55 Anderson 33 Jadama
67 White
Rams were on the road for their first round in the FA cup, coming up against Rushtall FC. We were made very welcome at the Jockey Farm home of Rushtall and it was another warm sunny day with the grass surface pitch looking to have held up well with all the dry weather.
Rushtall started well and looked hungry for the game. In the 3rd minute they won an early corner as they pressed Rams back, the ball played out to the edge of the box and shot in just over the Rams bar, an early warning shot for the defence.
Rams started to play earning a free kick out wide right, Miller lofted the ball into the mix but McIntyre was unable to do anything with it. The play was much more even after the fast start as the teams settled and sounded each other out.
Rams started to move the ball much quicker, although the Rushtall defence were holding firm and being marshalled well by White instructing his back line. The pressure started to tell as Rams broke, winning a couple of corners although they did not come to anything.
The 28th and some good play down the Rams right as Jadama won a corner, ball played in Jadama rose only to head at Taylor in the Rusthall goal for an easy save and quick distribution. Rams started to show a bit more class, moving the ball well and forcing the Rushtall defence to go deeper.
Ajayi down the left cut inside shoots, Taylor saved out for a corner, the ball played in and a low diving header from Jadama and Rams broke the deadlock.
The game eased in pace as we approached half time with neither side creating any significant opportunities.
The second half started very slowly and Rams were looking like they thought the job was as good as done, but Rushtall had not read that script and in the 55th Anderson, the Rushtall 2, collected the ball on the edge of the Rams box, shot and scored to level it all up.
Rams did not seem to have a response and Rushtall seemed buoyed by the goal and really started to dictate the game, Rams picking up a few yellow cards as the game progressed but they were being outplayed at their own game.
The 67th, a Rushtall free kick taken by that man White as he smashed home what turned out to be the winner.
Rams could only rue having not taken more of the early opportunities from the first half. A well-played and well deserved win for the hosts in this game.
The teams:
Rushtall FC: 1Tommy Taylor, 2Louis Anderson, 3Abdullah Khalil, 4Calvin Gitiba , 5James White , 6Jack Smith, 7Addo Amankwoh, 8Tommy Lawrence, 9Connor Johnson, 10Dwan Archer, 11Reuel Powell-Downey
Subs: 12Rory Salter, 14Denola Ayanbule, 15Daniel Blunn, 16Jamie Miller, 17Yassin Fares
Ramsgate FC: 1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 5Callum Emptage, 6Denzelle Olopade , 7Callum Peck , 8Lee Prescott , 10Ashley Miller , 14Joshua Ajayi, 17Ben Fitchett, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama 3Leon Redwood
Subs: 4Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 11Lucas Atkins , 13Lee Hook, 15Sammi Takalobighashi, 18Theo Osinfolarin
As it happened:
30’James White cautioned
33’Tijan Jadama scores
44’Lee Prescott cautioned
45’Ashley Miller cautioned
55’Louis Anderson scores
58’Tijan Jadama cautioned
59’Jahmal Howlett-Mundle replaced Jake McIntyre
61’Calvin Gitiba cautioned
62’Callum Peck cautioned
67’James White scores
71’Yassin Fares replaced Addo Amankwoh
72’Leon Redwood replaced Callum Peck
72’Theo Osinfolarin replaced Jerald Aboagye
73’Daniel Blunn replaced Connor Johnson
88’Denzelle Olopade cautioned
Man of the Match: James White
Entertainment: 4*
Attendance: 276.
