By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Lancing 1 Ramsgate 1
15 Mutongerwa 44 Paxman
A chilly but pleasant day at the Culver Road stadium, a modern new development with a 3G surface, as table topping Rams came to town. Lancing were in a fairly safe league position but still needed points to guarantee their safety.
Rams went into this game with new signing Bamba in the starting line-up, the early play saw Rams on the attack. Shot fired in from Paxman were pushed out by keeper Marshall-Shaw.
Lancers settled into their playing pattern and the game was very even as both sides started to pass the ball quickly.
Rams had a 14th minute corner, cleared quickly by the Lancers straight up field, some appalling defending left Mutongerwa totally free to fire home and put the Lancers one up. Rams needed to settle and sort themselves out.
Miller & Aboagye linked up down the right to create a chance but Rams could not capitalise on the opportunity. Rams again attacked at the 23rd min with Bamba shooting low, left foot strike and Marshall-Shaw down quickly to save.
It was very end to end with few clear cut chances. At the 26th Lancers went close as Hallard hit the side netting, Rams were still struggling to put play together as Lancers were quick to break up play.
The 39th and another Bamba shot, saved again by Marshall-Shaw, Rams seemed to be restricted to shooting from range.
Rams attacked down the right, the ball cut back as Paxman ran in, hit a really good strike and this time the ball beat Marshal-Shaw for Rams to pull level right on the stroke of half time, making manager Jamie Coyle’s half time team talk a little easier.
Rams started the second half brightly. In the 47th a free kick in from Miller flicked on by Jadama but Marshall-Shaw was there again to collect the second ball, thwarting Rams.
Jadama was doing a great job in the middle of the park, breaking up Lancers advances, but it seemed a real struggle for either side to create any clear cut chances as the game seemed to ebb away.
The 59th and Jadama broke up a Lancers attack in the Rams box and shepherded the ball back to Bexon. Jadama really did seem to be everywhere. As Rams started to open Lancers up a little more, Liburd having a couple of half chances and Jadama had a chance but Lancers defence held firm.
70th and Lancers got the ball forward to Mutongerwa. Although he was free his strike was well off target, luckily for the Rams who seemed to have another switch off moment.
Rams were pressing to try to find that winner and in the 79th Jadama was again going forward. He shot but the ball was blocked by Allen & rebounded to Liburd. He shot and hit the bottom of the post with Marshall-Shaw beaten all ends up. Rams were throwing everything they had at the Lancers with a couple of chances for Jadama and a Paxman shot. I feel if Rams had had this press from the start they would have taken more than just the point.
A fair result at the end of the day with a 1 – 1 draw Lancers have to be proud of their defence especially the last 10 – 15 minutes of the game.
Attendance: 175
RFSA Ram of the match: Tijian Jadama
Entertainment: 3.5*
The Teams:
Lancing: 1Gregor Marshall Shaw, 2William Terry Berry, 3Mahamadou Juwara , 4Finn Daniels-Yeomans, 5Marcus Allen, 6Owen George Spicer, 7Reece Hallard, 8Tyrese Menzi Mthunzi, 9Ashley Mutongerwa, 10Modou Lamin Jammeh, 11Marcel Powell
Subs: 12Charles Lewis Towning, 14Darius Goldsmith, 15Mohamed Joumaa Zabadne, 16Tyrone Madhani, 17Callaghan Stobbart
Ramsgate: 1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 5Callum Emptage, 7Blaise Riley-Snow, 10Ashley Miller, 12Jack Paxman, 14Rowan Liburd, 16Taofiq Olomowewe, 18Youssouf Bamba, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 3Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, 4Jamie Coyle, 6Denzelle Olopade, 9Kane Rowland, 11Gil Carvalho
Ramsgate next in action
11Mar Home East Grinsted 3pm
14Mar Home Tonbridge Angels 7.30pm Kent Senior Cup
18Mar Away Corinthian 3pm
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