By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 2 Littlehampton Town 0
63 Coyle
94 Carvalho
A chilly grey afternoon at the WW Martin community stadium as Rams hosted the visitors from Littlehampton, known as “The Golds”. Rams have a new man in charge, Jamie Coyle with Nicky Southall as his assistant.
Rams were certainly looking for a better performance than last week’s defeat away at Three Bridges where they were out played for much of the match. This was followed by the club parting company with the management Steve & Mark Lovell.
The Golds got us underway with Rams attacking the airport end, Rams were immediately on the attack with Jadama stinging Binfield’s hands in the Golds goal as he dropped the ball, Liburd unable to follow up.
In the 4th Golds were on the attack, breaking down the right and winning the first corner of the game, and a second free header for Gaskin straight at Bexon.
A break for injury to Fitchett at the back for Rams, he’s replaced by Coyle after trying to continue.
Rams settled back down after the forced change, moving the ball swiftly Carvalho impressing down the right and crossing well.
The 30th and Jadama & Aboagye link up on the right, the latter shooting across the keeper forcing him into a full stretch save.
The 33rd and Carvalhowas down the right causing the Golds defence some issues as he crossed for Liburd to head against the bar as we remained 0 – 0 with the Rams on top.
A very even first half with Carvalho making the difference for Rams, down the left side Liburd & Carvalho interlinking and square back to Paxman to shoot just over.
The 44th and a great Rams attack, Miller in with Binfield but pulls out and the ball falls to Jadama who is brought down, resulting in a free kick and a yellow for Binfield. All square as we went in at half time 0 – 0.
Rams got us under way in the second half attacking the town end and looking to build on their good start, Carvalho down the right broke through, out pacing the defence and forcing a save with his feet. All the tricks were coming out from Carvalho as he seemed to have the freedom of the pitch attacking down the right, terrorising Rohilla as he displayed a repertoire of step overs.
The 63rd and a Rams free kick from Miller, the ball out to the back post and from a wide angle at range Coyle cracks a thunderbolt with his left giving the keeper no chance as the ball rippled the net, 1-0.
Rams were totally on top as Miller hit the post from another free kick. The Golds seemed to be resorting to fouling rather than playing.
The 78th and Rams attack again, Carvalho slots in Liburd, his shot parries out to Paxman whose pressured shot goes just wide of Binfield’s goal.
The 85th and Binfield keeps Golds in the game again with another save, 88th Binfield again rushing out to prevent Jadama from getting through. Rams win another free kick, saved again by Binfield.
Rams conceded a late free kick edge of the penalty box in the 91st min, Bold stepped up over the ball with Hand, he shoots but it’s wide with 3 minutes to go of added time. 93rd Rams golden opportunity 3 against 2, Miller crosses but just in front of the on running Carvalho & Rowland.
The 94th and Rams break up play again as Jadama pushed forward and slotted through to Carvalho to finish off a well worked move, 2-0, giving Rams a well won 3 points, getting the new management team the start they would want.
The Teams:
Ramsgate:
1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 3Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 8Lee Prescott, 10Ashley Miller, 11Gil Carvalho, 12Jack Paxman, 14Rowan Liburd, 17Ben Fitchett, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 4Jamie Coyle, 5Callum Emptage, 6Denzelle Olopade, 9Kane Rowland, 18Theo Osinfolarin
Littlehampton Town:
1James Binfield, 2Corey Heath, 3Tarun Rohilla, 4Tom Bold, 5Marshall Ball, 6Liam Hendy 7Scott Packer, 8Scott Faber, 9George Gaskin, 10Devon Fender, 11Luke Donaldson
Subs: 12Jordan Layton, 13James Askew, 14Dave Herbert, 15Dion Jarvis, 16Mitchell Hand
RFSA Ram of the match: Gill Carvalho
Entertainment: 4*
Attendance: 578