By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate ) 1 Herne Bay 1
85 Diakiesse 79 Johnson
Ramsgate win 6 – 5 on penalties
On a miserable night at the WW Martin Community stadium, Ramsgate hosted Herne Bay from the Isthmian Premier league in the Kent Senior Cup.
We were underway with Rams attacking the airport end, a strong wind and rain on and off – very dank conditions indeed. The surface was nice and skiddy, ideal for a good passing game. The Bay certainly started the brighter, a break straight down the centre of the pitch saw Thomas going through but losing control of the ball to save Rams blushes. Bay attacked again, this time thwarted by good defensive work by Aboagye.
Both sides had good chances but the pace of the game was more like a training match than a cup tie. The 32nd and Rams mounted an attack with Osinfolarin linking up with Jadama, shooting across the keeper just wide. The 35th and Bay’s attack ended up as a comedy as Bexon dropped the slippery ball and Saunders-Henry went in with a Rams defender, all finishing in a heap and Bexon collecting the ball.
All square at half time with both keepers having a few shoots to save but nothing to really trouble either side.
Rams sub Richards off for Haastrup to make his debut, immediately in to the action breaking up Bay play in midfield and slotting a perfect ball through to Ajayi who took a couple of strides before shooting and forced a great full length diving save from Perrin in the Bay goal. A lot more urgency at the start of the half as Rams pressed. The 55th with Jadama down the right, going between three defenders and getting a shot away but wide. The 59th and Prescott shot from range in the centre of the pitch, again whistling wide.
The 62nd and another Rams attack, McIntyre this time shooting from range and another full length save from Perrin. Great ball into the box by Haastrup but again the chance goes begging. Rams sub Howlett-Mundle off for Rowland who slotted into the back line. This change disrupted Rams set up, Bay swinging in a corner and cleared off the line by Aboagye. Bay seemed to be having their moment in the game.
The 72nd and Ajayi goes down in the box, the referee waves away the Rams appeals.
The 79th and a Bay corner came out to an unmarked Johnson to head home and give them the advantage. Rams awakened and started to move the ball with a lot more urgency, creating numerous opportunities but leaving themselves open at the back. The 82nd and Bay break away with Thomas going through, his shot though is straight into Bexon’ s arms. The 85th and a lovely piece of play by Haastrup down the left beating a couple before crossing low and hard and at the near post Diakiesse gets a cheeky backheel into the net, all square.
A real cup tie feel and it was end to end stuff for the final five minutes, with the best chances falling to Allsop who found a well-positioned Bexon & Smith who swivelled swiftly in the Rams box only to fire wide. Full time 1 – 1, straight to penalties.
Rams come out victorious and move in to the last eight.
Teams:
Ramsgate: 1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 3Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 7Lauric Diakiesse, 8Lee Prescott 11Jack Richards, 12Jack Paxman, 14Joshua Ajayi , 18Theo Osinfolarin, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 4Jamie Coyle, 9Kane Rowland, 13Archie Simmons, 16Daniel Haastrup, 17Ben Fitchett
Herne Bay: 1Jordan Perrin, 2Che Krabbendam, 3Kacper Gruszczynski, 4Briggs Ojemen, 5Dan Johnson, 8Mason Saunders-Henry, 9Jason Banton, 10Rory Smith, 11Monty Saunders, 12Kymani Thomas, 14Eddie Allsopp
Subs: 15Euan Bunn, 16Bode Anidugbe, 18Leo Dodds, 19Tagan Kray, 20Leo Todd
RFSA Ram of the match: Lee Prescott
Attendance: 178
Entertainment: 4*
Ramsgate next in action:
19Nov Away Littlehampton 3pm
26Nov Home Ashford United 3pm
03Dec Away Whitehawk