By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
East Grinsted 1 Ramsgate 3
8 Anderson 10, 61 Miller
40 Diakesse
A pleasant day after the earlier rain at the OHOV community stadium, the playing surface was nice and slippery which would create a classic pass and move game.
East Grinstead were just a few points behind Ramsgate in the league, sitting in joint third but lying 8th on goal difference.
A lively start to the game, Miller continued where he left off on Tuesday night forcing the defence on to the back foot and turning them this way and that.
The 9th minute and Rams lost the ball near halfway, a simple ball played wide down the left. Fitchett tried to recover but was out of position, Wasps squared the ball for Anderson to have the easiest of opportunities to slot home.
The 10th and Rams responded immediately, Paxman out wide left crossed into Miller to head home beating Pierson at his near post from close range to level.
The game ebbed and flowed as Wasps attacked again, the ball skidding off the surface forcing Bexon into a good low save by diving to his left. Mackenzie for Rams shot from range, watched by Pierson to save. High paced early action as both teams probed. The game was swinging back and forth with efforts from Jadama, Mackenzie for the Rams and Daniel for Wasps.
The 37th and Paxman shot from range just wide of Pierson’s right post. The 40th and a wonderful move down the Rams right, Emptage with a pinpoint cross onto the head of Diakesse to head home and put Rams into the lead.
The 42nd & 43rd Prescott goes into the action with a couple of powerful shots both saved well by Pierson. Excellent Rams performance as we entered the half time break.
Right from the start of the second half and Jadama was out to Osinfolarin on the left. He cut in beating the defender and shooting right across the goal, going just wide. Rams were really playing well, moving the ball from side to side and long cross field passes, they were purring and it was such a pleasure to watch a team in total control of what they are doing.
Paxman broke up play in the midfield and pushed forward, Rams confidence soared as the game went on. Miller put though down the middle, one on one with Pierson who made another excellent save. The 61st and McIntyre puts the ball out wide to Jadama. He looked up and saw Miller un-marked in the middle, Miller placed the ball in the bottom right corner for his second goal of the game.
Rams sub Emptage off for Redwood and a change of formation as Rams settled in to defend what they had. Miller up front was working really hard in search of a hattrick goal. Both sides made changes and seemed to have settled for the result.
Rams created a few more chances before the end, with Miller at the heart of the action. In the 81st the keeper rushed out toward him, he lobbed the ball over him, the ball heading toward the Wasps net but a miraculous on the line save from Wasps captain Wilson stretching and clearing the ball out for a corner. The corner was out to Prescott, played into Miller who shot from close range but was thwarted by Pierson. Miller subbed on 86 to rapturous applause from the supporters.
If Rams are able to play like this every week, they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with and will draw even bigger crowds.
An absolute joy to watch!
Attendance: 201
RFSA Rams of the match: Ashley Miller
Entertainment: 5*
The Teams:
East Grinstead – 1Matte Pierson, 2Fintan Walsh, 3Max Walsh, 4Dean Perana, 5Harrison Parker, 6Glenn Wilson, 7Matthew Daniel, 8Andrew Briggs, 9Tahjae Anderson, 10Miles Cornwell, 11Reece Price-Placid
Subs: 12Daniel Uchechi, 14Aaron Clarke, 15Thibault Abie, 16Lewis Unwin, 17Steven Sargent
Ramsgate – 1Josh Bexon, 4Jamie Coyle, 5Callum Emptage, 8Lee Prescott, 9Lauric Diakiesse, 10Ashley Miller, 12Jack Paxman, 17Ben Fitchett, 18Theo Osinfolarin, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 2Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 3Leon Redwood, 7Destiny Oladipo, 11Jack Richards, 14Joshua Ajayi