By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 3 Haywards Heath Town 3
30, 90+3 Olomowewe 22 Uwezu
90+8 Rowland 33 Honore
59 Gunner
A bright but windy day at the WW Martin stadium as table topping Rams faced a bogey side having not beaten Heath at home. A pressure game at both ends of the table. Rams was missing a couple of players with Coyle & Bamba.
A very slow start to the game as players adjusted to the blustery conditions, Rams were attacking the airport end and into the wind for the first half. All the early action seemed to be in the midfield with no clear opportunities for either side in an attacking position.
10th minute and a scare for Bexon in the Rams goal as he took his eye off a back pass that went under his foot, luckily running just wide of his far post. Rams first real attack was with Miller down the right rounding the defender and pulling back a cross but behind Carvalho.
Heath were on the front foot as Uwezu fired just wide after a good passing move. Rams seemed a little out of sorts, maybe the pressure building from the visitors and the league position was playing on their minds.
Poor Rams defending as McIntyre missed a header due to the windy conditions and saw Heath’s Dobell collect the ball and cross over for them to take the lead in the 21st as Uwezu had an easy chance to tap home from close range.
Rams were back in the game after winning a corner, played in low and hard. Olomowewe stooped to head in the equaliser. 33rd and Rams were undone again by a quick one two as Honore went through completely leaving the Rams defence flat footed to fire home and restore Heaths lead.
Rams were not really creating anything from open play & to be fair there was not a great deal coming the other way as Heath just controlled play without threat. Rams were hoping for better in the second half, playing with the wind.
Rams made a half time sub with Prescott replaced by Olopade. The Rams seemed to be trying too hard to make things happen at the start of the half and the final ball was lacking. Heath took advantage of poor Rams play and controlled the majority of the early action which was heading towards the Rams goal.
50th and Rams made an attack. Jadama brought down edge of the box, McIntyre took the free kick forcing a brilliant save from Collings in the Heath goal, he’d not had a great deal to do but done well when called upon.
59th and a Heath corner played into the box as two Rams defenders collided, allowing Gunner to pounce and smash in a third for Heath, Rams backs against the wall, 1 – 3 down and not looking like a table topping side. 60th and Rams sub as Fitchett is replaced by Carlse and a change of formation.
Rams struggled to get things moving, they were having moments though. The 61st and Jadama again went trough with a strike forcing another great save from Collings. There just seemed to be no consistency to Rams play. 64th Rams sub Carvalho off for Rowland.
Rams having made all substitutions were still failing to get a grip in the game, they seemed to be lacking ideas & Heath were making things really difficult, this could have cost Rams dear.
As we entered into the last 5 minutes, Rams were starting to stage a come-back, the substitutions seemed to be having some effect but time was running out. Rams were staring defeat in the face for the first time under Coyle.
90+3 Rams attacked with menace as Olomowewe playing forward moved into the box and smashes the ball home for Rams second.
Rams had a real head of steam, forcing Heath on the back foot with only seconds to go as Jadama is was brought down again, the ball crossed over a fantastic save by Collings but somehow it bounced down for Rowland to gets a foot to the ball in what can only be described as an outlandish position to level the scores and save a point for the Rams.
An amazing last five minutes and Rams showing real passion.
Attendance: 952
Player of the match: Taofiq Olomowewe
Entertainment: 3*
The Teams:
Ramsgate: 1 Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 8Lee Prescott , 10Ashley Miller, 11Gil Carvalho, 12Jack Paxman, 14Rowan Liburd, 16Taofiq Olomowewe, 17Ben Fitchett, 19Jake McIntyre, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 6Denzelle Olopade, 7Blaise Riley-Snow, 9Kane Rowland, 13Lee Hook, 15Thomas Carlse
Haywards Heath: 1 Billy Collings, 2Ben Holden , 3Tom Cadman, 6Dean Gunner, 8James Dickson, 9Michael Uwezu, 10Richard Pingling, 14Cameron Dobell, 16Conrad Honore, 17Nicholas D’Arienzo
Subs: 20Mario Gjini, 4Byron Napper, 7George McCarthy, 11Alex Laing , 15Brad Santos
Ramsgate next in action:
01April Away Chichester City 3pm
08April Home Beckenham Town 3pm
10April Away Chatham Town 3pm