By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Chatham Town 2 Ramsgate 0
72 Oloyede
85 Drury
The heavens opened and the wind picked up, after a lovely warm up period of bright sunshine at the Sports ground, a great setup of a stadium, it’s first v second in the top of the table clash.
2nd min Rams attack, Liburd firing off the first shot of the game straight into the midrif of Butler. The heavens opened again as Evans went forward for Chats to have a pop at goal, saved by Bexon the ball bounced back to Evans and the game settled.
8th Rams give the ball away from a throw and Chats pounced immediately, getting through for Krabbendam who smashed into the side netting.
Chats were trying the early press, swinging the ball out to Bodkin on the left wing, building the majority of the attacks.
16th long range effort from Paxman hits the angle of post and crossbar with Bridle-Card beaten, Rams first real effort of the game. It all became a little stop start with silly fouls stopping any momentum for either side.
23rd another stoppage as Carvalho went for a loose ball ,catching keeper Bridle-Card – another delay. Rams attack again, Paxman wide to Miller crossed deep headed back over and cleared another injury slowing the game.
32nd Chats free kick all of 35 yards out smashed over. Chats were back on the attack, this time down the right, crossed over to Drury whose effort was cut out by Olopade back defending. Chats 35th min effort as Nzala received the ball and managed to work a good shooting opportunity going out for a corner.
Chats piled on the pressure as we approached half time with Rams gifting them the ball away in defence. A great ball in from Nzala out for a corner, following the ball out Rams lost it again and Nzala fired in a shot saved superbly by Bexon.
Rams cleared and went on the attack. Paxman brought down, a Rams free kick toward the back post missed by the on-rushing attackers.
42nd Chats Krabbendam’s got a strike away, deflected for a corner. As Chats pressure built Rams Miller made a stupid tackle, earning himself a yellow card and giving a free kick wide right midway down the pitch, played into the Rams box Bexon dove on the loose ball as we entered time added.
Rams took advantage of the added time with a free into the box and earned a corner as Bridle-Card pushed the ball over his bar, corner came over to Jadama edge of the box making a cross field run but ran out of pitch. All square at half time.
Rams had not really created anything and therewas certainly room for improvement in the second half, Could Rams turn up the heat and get back in the game?
Rams half time sub Riley-Snow replaced Olopade, Rams from the off as Carvalho cut inside striking across the Chats goal and hitting the far post, the ball running safely. Jadama went on a run down the left, playing the ball back to McIntyre to cross, defended well.
51st Chats started to push on, winning a corner down the right, then switching play to attack down the left, crossed over Nzala trying the acrobatics but it was a poor connection.
55th min, a Chats strike from within their own half safely dealt with by Bexon and no real threat, Rams hoping that was their only effort on goal this half. Rams struggled with their passing again giving the ball back to Chats on numerous occasions.
Just on the hour mark Chats opened up the Rams defence, the final ball in from Kedwell just behind Krabbendam. He tried a back heel but it was not a good connection. Chats were having the better of the opportunities as Nzala down the left crossed for Kedwell to head wide.
65th Chats sub on Taylor off Bodkin, making an impact getting the ball into box, a fantastic low save diving to his right by Bexon to put the ball round the post in the 68th.
70th Riley-Snow booked for a late challenge in the midfield. Chats sub on Oloyede for Nzala, who had been probably their best player. The free kick swung across the pitch to the right crossed over for Oloyede to get in front of his marker to head home for Chats.
Rams react making subs, bringing on Bamba & Rowland for Liburd & Miller respectively.
78th Rams threaten down the right Aboayge crossed for Carvalho at the back to head toward goal cleared from the line, immediately Chats were on the attack as Kedwell dropped the ball off to Evans who was allowed to run through the defence to get a shot away, deflected over for a corner.
It was the same old story for the Rams, requiring late goals to save the match as the title slipped from their grasp. As Chats played around the Rams as if they were statues and the killer ball slotted back into Drury for a simple tap in.
Paxman went on a run through the middle, fouled by Drury who received a yellow card, the sun shining on Chatham as they look forward to prem football next season.
88th Chats sub as Peck replaced Krabbendam.
92nd Rams free kick left edge of the box Bamba & Carvalho over the ball, Bamba hit the wall, Rams still trying a 95th min corner again stoutly defended and winning a free kick to run the clock out.
The full time whistle blew to end this match & possibly Rams hopes of automatic promotion with Chatham needing just one point for promotion from their two remaining matches.
The Teams:
Chatham Town: 1Ben Bridle Card, 2Ike Orji, 3Simon Cooper, 4Jordan Robins, 5Reece Butler, 8Jack Evans, 14Danny Kedwell, 16Andy Drury , 18Matt Bodkin, 19Ashley Nzala, 20Che Krabbendam
Subs: 7Paris Lock, 10Emmanuel Oloyede, 12Joseph Taylor, 15Callum Peck, 17Richard Orlu
Ramsgate: 1Josh Bexon, 2Jerald Aboagye, 4Jamie Coyle, 6Denzelle Olopade, 10Ashley Miller11Gil Carvalho, 12Jack Paxman, 14Rowan Liburd, 16Taofiq Olomowewe, 19Jake McIntyre 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 7Blaise Riley-Snow , 9Kane Rowland, 15Thomas Carlse, 17Ben Fitchett, 18Youssouf Bamba
Attendance: 2,540
RFSA Ram of the Match: Jerald Aboagye
Entertainment: 3*
Ramsgate next in action:
Home 15 April v Whitehawk 3pm
Away 22 April v Ashford 3pm