Pitchside: Rams in Kent Senior Cup thriller

Football

By pitchside reporter Andy Mason

Beckenham Town  4                        Ramsgate 4

 Ramsgate win on penalties 3 – 5

7 Anderson                                         14, 48 Miller

24 Adeniran                                        21 Diakesse

36, 84 Townsend                                45 Fitchett

A chill in the air at the Eden Park ground as the teams took to the immaculate playing surface. A very open game with both sides relying on pace to attack. Miller started brightly for the Rams creating a couple of early chances playing down the right, 5th minute outpaces the defence and tries a lob just not enough on it to beat Kalyua in the Becks goal.

The 7th minute and a fast paced attack from Becks, the ball played into Anderson who, with amazing speed and skill, left the Rams defence like statues and fired a low shot right into the bottom left corner of Bexon’s goal.

The 14th and Rams were back in the game as Paxman played a ball over the Becks high line. Miller outpaced everyone and finished with aplomb. The 21st and Rams attack again, the ball played through to Miller out wide. He beat the defender, crossed on a plate for the incoming Diakesse to slot home a perfect finish. The 24th and Rams lost the ball in midfield, Becks attack was played into Adeniran and he was allowed to turn and pick his spot in the bottom right corner of Bexon’s goal 2 – 2.

The 36th and Becks was down the right as Anderson outpaced Rams and crossed for Townsend to smash a shot in off the post. The 40th and a Rams free kick hit toward the back stick, Rams got a shot away crashing into the post, and Becks cleared. The 44th and Miller perfectly weighted the ball for Paxman to run on to. He went for placement, forcing a terrific save from Kalyua to put the ball out for a corner. The corner was played right into the danger area and Fitchett rose to head home for three all half time.

The second half started brightly as Miller chested the ball down, turned and fired Rams back in the lead on 48th. The game lulled as both sides made numerous changes to personnel and this disrupted the free flowing nature of the game. Rams started to think about holding on to their lead. There were still warning signs as Rams defended deeper and Townsend broke through for Becks to fire into the side netting. Becks free kick played into the box. Bloomfield had a free header, Bexon went down low to his right to save.

The 84th and Rams completely switched off in defence and allowed Becks to cross from wide right to Townsend to fire in the equaliser 4 – 4. We went straight to penalties at the end of the game and Ramsgate came out on top scoring all 5  with Becks missing one to lose 3 – 5.

 

The Teams:

Beckenham Town: 1Baldwin Kaluya, 2Harvey Brand, 3Nicholas Curran, 4Harvey Hanifan, 5Mudiaga Wanogho, 6Luke Hedges, 7Steven Townsend, 8Ishmael Erskine, 9Henry Adeniran, 10Jamie Humphris, 11Tyler Anderson

Subs: 12Bradley Goldberg, 14Alfie Bloomfield, 15Kelvin Hernandez Mejia, 16Archie Johnson 17Danny Waldren

Ramsgate: 1Josh Bexon, 3Leon Redwood, 4Jamie Coyle, 6Lauri Diakesse, 8Lee Prescott, 10Ashley Miller, 12Jack Paxman, 15Thomas Hanfrey, 16Sammi Takaloobighashi, 17Ben Fitchett, 19Jake McIntyre

Subs: Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 5Callum Emptage, 11Jack Richards, 14Joshua Ajayi, 18Theo Osinfolarin

Attendance: 110

Entertainment: 4*

RFSA Ram of the match: Ashley Miller

Rams next in action.

15Oct Away East Grinsted 3pm

19Oct Home Faversham Town Velocity Trophy 730pm

22Oct Home Corinthian 3pm