By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Haywards Heath Town 1 Ramsgate 2
49 Jalloh 24 Ajayi
87 Aboagye
It was a more comfortable day weather wise at least, as Haywards Heath Town welcomed Ramsgate to the Hanbury Stadium, a fairly good sized ground surrounded by housing. The pitch looked in immaculate condition, a lush green grassy surface well-manicured.
Rams were on the attack from the off and taking control of the midfield, moving the ball quickly for one to the other. Although without a great deal of penetration until the 18th when Osinfolarin breaks through and shoots, forcing Collings to make a save low to his right.
As Rams piled on more pressure at the 24th Miller in the box turned shot but lacked conviction and power so it was saved again by Collings. Just a minute later and Olopade got in on the shooting but it was saved again. Heath responded at last, coming back at the Rams with Tom Colling getting a shot away for Bexon to save comfortably.
In the 34th great work by Aboagye down the right he beat one, looked up and fired across to Ajayi to fire home a well deserved Rams lead. The Rams were definitely showing some class play. Miller and Ajayi linked up, Miller shot and Collings saved again. The 41st and Heath’s best opportunity of the game all Simpson had to do was cross into the middle but he elected to shoot and blasted straight at Bexon who caught it.
Heath started strong in the second half, pressing the Rams defence, a 49th minute strike from Gbasllou fired in, Bexon was unable to hold on and Jalloh put the ball into the back of the Rams net. If we had had VAR then it would have been disallowed as two players were clearly offside in the build up but at this level you have to play to the referees whistle.
In the 60th Rams were awarded a penalty after a lot of pressure and some suspect challenges raining in, up stepped a confident looking Ajayi he struck the ball cleanly but a comfortable save by Collings rebound back to Ajayi. The keeper was up quick to save again as the ball rebounded out to Aboagye who seemed to be pushed in the back as he struck, this time blocked by a defender as Heath hung on.
Rams were back in control and playing well even though the challenges were still very close to the mark and Heath were becoming more and more tetchy.
In the 87th Rams moved the ball wide to Ajayi. He held the ball up waiting for support in the middle, turned quickly, beating the defender and crossed, returning the compliment to Aboagye to fire in from a perfectly timed run to give Rams a well deserved and hard fought 3 points.
Teams
Haywards Heath:
1Billy Collings, 19Marc Lida Gballou , 3Tom Cadman, 4Byron Napper, 6Dean Gunner, 7Alahady Ibrahaim Jalloh, 17Callum Chesworth, 15Olumide Babatundet Oluwatimilehin, 10Thomas Collins, 2Ben Holden , 5Melford Simpson
Subs: 8James Dickson, 9Ahmed Abdulla, 16Jake Lindsey, 18Filippo Di Bonito, 12Tom Gilbert
Ramsgate:
1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 4Jamie Coyle , 5Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 8Lee Prescott, 10Ashley Miller, 14Joshua Ajayi, 17Ben Fitchett, 18Theo Osinfolarin, 6Denzelle Olopade
16Lucas Atkins
Subs: 19Jake McIntyre, 13Lee Hook, 3Leon Redwood, 15Sammi Takalobighashi,
Cards:
Heath: Yellow 49 Gballou, 81 Holden
Ramsgate: Yellow 82 Atkins, 90 Coyle
Ram of the Match: Theo Osinflorin
Attendance: 346
Entertainment: 3.5*