By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Burgess Hill Town 0 Ramsgate 1
30 Jadama
A miserable wet and windy afternoon at the More Than Tyre stadium as fans searched for any cover they could get, with persistent rain and a strong breeze adding to slippery conditions. The groundsman had already been out to reline the pitch.
The game got underway and it was the Rams making the running with good early play on a soggy afternoon. Opening minutes Rams attacked with Richards getting a strike on target saved by Reid, the ball came out to Miller he shot, blocked away by the Hillians defence.
Rams freekick played into Ajayi in the box he shot forcing another save from Reid. Hillians were playing down the flanks and seemed to have the measure of the Rams defence formation, however they were lacking the final ball.
Rams attacked again with Jadama from range all of 30 yards with powerful shoot and another brilliant save by Reid. Rams were playing well through the middle of the pitch but were still leaving their flanks open as the wing backs pressed forward, leaving effectively just three at the back. Rams just over hit the final ball on a few occasions as Miller made run after run through the middle.
Hillians mounted an attack down the left. the ball came over and there was a joint save between Bexon & Fitchett to clear. Really good play by the Rams earned another freekick in a dangerous position fired into the box, keeper Reid dropped the ball but Rams were unable to capitalise.
Hillians down the left again played in this time by Perry, hitting the post and cleared off the line by Howlett-Mundle to save Rams blushes. Rams came under a bit of pressure as Hillians had their best spell of the game.
The 30th and Rams broke out of defence, the ball played out to Miller on the right. He crossed into Ajayi who squared to an un-marked Jadama who looked up, picked his spot and slammed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. Rams one up at half-time.
The rain still coming down was making playing conditions very difficult, Hillians tried to make a game of it with good attacks down the right forcing a couple of early corners, Rams defended very deep but hung on.
Rams made a sub and change of formation, going to a 4 4 2 in an effort to stop the attacks down the flanks.
Santos, the Hillians’ 7 has been a thorn all afternoon down the right flank but he is subbed on the 70th for Duah-Kessie. He made an immediate impact, getting the ball across to Skerry who shot, the ball skidding off the surface, forcing Bexon into a great save. This was Hillians’ best opportunity of the game.
Rams get all eleven men behind the ball were finding it very difficult to get an out, the ball just kept coming back at them.
The 81st and Ajayi subbed for Diakiesse as Rams looked to hold out and take the 3pts. By now it must have been difficult for the officials as the lines were all but washed away. Rams held out and now move back to the top of the table as the only side to win in the top of the table battle.
The Teams
Burgess Hill: 1Tommy Reid, 2Reggie Ward, 3Dan Cadman, 4Kieran Rowe, 5Harry Pollard, 6Josh Spinks, 7Brad Santos, 8Lewis Finney, 9Dan Perry, 10Hayden Skerry, 11Martyn Box
Subs: 12Connor Tighe, 14Sam Remfry, 15Jeff Duah-Kessie, 16Max Miller, 17Zack Lawrance
Ramsgate: 1Josh Bexon, 4Jamie Coyle, 5Callum Emptage, 14Joshua Ajayi, 3Jahmal Howlett-Mundle10Ashley Miller, 12Jack Paxman, 17Ben Fitchett, 11Jack Richards, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 2Jerald Aboagye, 7Lauric Diakiesse, 18Theo Osinfolarin, 9Kane Rowland, 13Lee Hook
RFSA Ram of the Match: Jake McIntyre
Attendance: 308
Entertainment: 4*
Ramsgate next in action
12Nov Home Three Bridges 3pm
15Nov Home Herne Bay Kent senior cup 7.30pm
19Nov Away Littlehampton 3pm