By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 3 Ashford United 2
36, 40 Rowland 8 Lawson
72 Paxman 47 Ajaya
A cool slightly overcast sky at the WW Martin Community Stadium greeted the gladiators as they entered the arena for this top of the table clash, Ashford in second could be the draw specialists with seven drawn from fourteen played. Rams were hoping for a much-improved performance on last week’s defeat.
Game got underway, Rams kicking off toward the airport end. The 6th minute and a first attempt on goal as Miller created some space for himself to shoot. Ashford went straight down the other end, a goal looking so offside but Lawson played to the whistle and put it away, the opener for Ashford 7th minute.
Rams was trying to recover from the early set back, although it was Ashford through Carvalho who forced a save from Bexon diving low to his right, for the first corner of the game.
Ashford was still looking the better side as they pressed the Rams back. The 26th and another save from range by Bexon as Ashford won back to back corners and Rams were playing predominately in their own half.
The 36th and Rams came alive, down the right with a perfect cross from Aboagye, in on to the head of Rowland to score at the near post with a perfect header giving Ohman no chance. The 40th and Rams attacked again. Jadama shot from range, Ohman could only parry the ball out. Rowland followed up and tucked in with a perfect finish to put Rams 2 -1 up at half time.
Rams half time sub off Coyle for Emptage, throw for Ashford in the 47th headed on by Friend, the ball goes up in the air and is put in by Ashford to level. A very even end to end game as both sides looked to not drop points.
The 72nd and Rams break with Ajayi linking play, the ball bobbles around the box and Paxman managed to get a shot away and into the back of the net as Rams go back top of the table.
Ashford resorted to long range shots as Rams toughened up their play and defence with 10 minutes left on the clock. Ashford seemed to run out of ideas, playing central balls with no runners, the leading goal scorer Lockyer looked laboured throughout.
Rams were defending far too deeply as they tried to hang on in added time of 6 minutes, an altercation saw Ajayi sent off in the dying embers as Rams pressed. We entered time added to the additional and finally the whistle blew and Rams celebrated the 3 points.
Rams remain top of the table after a thrilling finale to the match, Rams are pushing the boundaries of play week in week out very much entertaining but not always the result they want or require, it’s a case of building consistency now.
Teams
Ramsgate:- 1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 3Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 4Jamie Coyle, 10Ashley Miller, 8Lee Prescott, 9Kane Rowland, 12Jack Paxman, 14Joshua Ajayi, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 5Callum Emptage, 7Lauric Diakiesse, 15Lucas Atkins, 16Daniel Haastrup, 17Ben Fitchett
Ashford:- 1Pat Ohman, 2Bradley Simms, 3Mamadou Diallo, 4Henry Muggeridge, 5Liam Friend, 6Ryan Sawyer, 7Toby Ajaya, 8Omar Lawson, 9Gary Lockyer, 10Adem Ramadan, 11Gil Carvalho
Subs: 12Josh Wisson, 14Johan Ter Horst, 15Charlie Dickens, 16Robert Saunders, 17Mikey Dalton
RFSA player of the match: Kane Rowland
Entertainment: 5*
Attendance: 845
Ramsgate next in action
03 Dec Away Whitehawk 3pm
10 Dec Away Beckenham Town 2pm
17Dec Home Chichester 3pm