By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
VCD Athletic 2 Ramsgate 2
52 Adesite 43 Paxman
75 Bamba 86 Miller (p)
It was a bright breezy but sunny day at the Oakwood stadium, the pitch looking resplendent, as Ramsgate got us underway after a delayed kick off. The Oakwood has not been a happy hunting ground for the Rams over the years.
VCD had the sun and wind at their backs, playing keep ball, just knocking it around between the four man defence, Rams did not seem bothered and were not really pressing, just leaving them to play. In the 14th VCD attacked as Ozobia wriggled through but was quickly closed down before he could shoot.
The 16th and Rams first effort as they pushed forward, winning a corner. Kamurasi claimed it and distributed quickly up to Adesite who tried to make a run on goal but was thwarted by Emptage. 26th and Rowland made a run across the box and went down. The Ref alleges a dive, issuing a yellow card. Rowland was immediately subbed with a head injury, with Takaloobighashi coming on. This certainly upset the Rams game plan.
Rams were living a little dangerously at the back as Adesite shot, leading to a scramble but Rams managed to clear. VCD were using the threat of long throws from both sides of the pitch.
38th and a Rams break and Dent for VCD stepped across blocking the run of Jadama and was booked for a professional foul. The 43rd and Rams won a corner, headed out to about 25 yards – the ball dropping for Paxman to hit a thunderous volley flying past Kamurasi’s dive, to give Rams a lead against the run of play.
Second half VCD started out the same as in the first, knocking the ball around at the back. Takaloo and Miller closed them down, winning the ball but unable to take advantage and the attack broke down.
52nd and the ball played into the Rams box, the defence unable to get it away and Adesite stepped in and slotted the ball home for the leveller. Rams had a good 5 minutes as Miller forced a great save from Kamurasi down low.
Miller again gifted the ball, shot straight at Tennant, just seconds later Miller repeated it again striking Tenant. Paxman linked up with Takaloo down the left, defended well by Tennant who was having a good game at the back for VCD. Rams certainly were playing the better football and looked the more threatening of the two sides.
75th and the ball played out to Bamba on the right. He cut inside, beating two and shoots across Bexon bulging the net and against the play gives VCD the lead.
They resorted to knocking the ball around. Rams won deep free kicks as VCD seemed to be bringing Rams players down in their effort to keep them from playing. The long free kicks with the wind behind them were causing VCD more problems. 79th and another ball played in, came out to Jadama who took the ball down to the goal line and cut it back in to the danger area, Olopade unmarked shot high and wide, Rams were certainly showing intent and they were not giving up. 85th and Rams won the ball in the VCD box.
It was passed to Olopade on the edge of the box, he turned and was fouled, with the Ref awarding a penalty kick. Up stepped Miller and as cool as you like gave the keeper the eyes and rolls the ball into the opposite corner to save Rams and keep the unbeaten league run going.
The Teams:
VCD Athletic 1George Kamurasi, 2Joe Tennent, 3Khanye Makhosini, 4Joe Bingham, 5Jack Bath, 6Jonah Tolulope, 7Declan Kama, 8David Ozobia, 9Jordan Greaves, 10Karl Dent , 11Anthony Adesite
Subs 12Danny Phillips, 14Sewa Marah, 15Youssef Bamba, 16Daniel Nash, 17Drew Allisani
Ramsgate 1Josh Bexon, 2Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 5Callum Emptage, 6Denzelle Olopade, 19Jake , cIntyre, 9Kane Rowland, 10Ashley Miller, 12Jack Paxman, 15Tom Hanfrey, 18Theo Osinfolarin, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs 4Jamie Coyle, 13Lee Hook, 16Sammi Takalobighashi, 17Ben Fitchett, 3Leon Redwood
Ram of the Match: Ashley Miller
Attendance: 115
Entertainment: 3.5*
Rams next in action
Home – 08Oct Sheppey United 15:00ko
Away – 15Oct East Grinsted 15:00ko
Home – 19Oct Faversham Town – Velocity Trophy 19:30ko