By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Chatham Town 1 Ramsgate (2) 5
Krabbendam 51 Jadama 16
Taylor 28, 72
Anidugbe 85, 90
A blisteringly hot day at the Bauvill stadium for the Emirate FA cup First qualifying round, talking to the players it was hotter on the playing surface than for the supporters, as the sun was reflecting off the 3G surface.
A scrappy start to the game as the sides check out each other’s tactics, Thae Chatham side looking quite slow as Ramsgate are allowed to play passing and moving football, just how they like to play under manager Ben Smith.
The game has settled into a good rhythm a few strong tackles coming in from both sides, a quick passing move by Rams on the quarter hour mark, gains a free kick on the right Lee Martin places in a perfect cross and Tijan Jadama rises to power home a sixteenth minute header giving Ben Bridle Card in the Chats goal no chance to save.
Rams continue to play excellent football and are certainly showing the unbeaten higher league side side how to play, Chats having lost only one home game in the past twenty four months that in the FA cup last season.
Rams gain another free kick this time in a central position about thirty yards out Martin is over the ball and is shaping up to have a shot, he fires a dipping strike over the wall but Bridle Card this time is able to smother the dipping ball and saves.
Rams with an ever alert Joe Taylor leading the line pounces on an awful back pass dummies Bridle Card leaving the goalie on the seat of his pants, Taylor then as cool as you like slides the ball to his right waits for the Chats defenders to make a move and blasts the ball between the two defenders to score Rams second.
Chats show a bit of spirit and attack down the Rams right flank Jadama back defending runs right across the edge of the box to block a power shot. Up until this point Chats had not really threatened but as we are approaching the end of the first half they are starting to get in the game a lot more.
Chats first effort from inside the six yard area as Tommy Fagg strikes with a headed effort on goal going just over the crossbar.
Rams forced to make a substitution as Jordan Green injury is replaced by Freddie Oliver the young man slotting into a midfield role sees Alfie Paxman move out to the right wing a preferred position, Rams see out the half.
The second half sees Chats looking to pressurise as from two nil down the next goal could make a big difference in the way the game goes.
Fifty-first after sustained Chats pressure they gain a corner swung in from the Rams right Che Krabbendam reacts quickest and taps home an early goal and with Chats tails now up, Rams will have to weather the storm to come.
Rams need to settle as Chats are throwing everything they can forward trying to get the equaliser, although they press strongly Tom Hadler in the Rams goal is having little to save, as Chats chances come and go over the bar, wide or block the best opportunity falling to Ashley Nzala un-marked in the box blasts high over, Rams are resilient defence.
Taylor breaks goes free and could have taken the shot but sees Paxman in a better position and squares to him his effort blocked in the sixty second minute is Rams first foray forward this half.
Rams sub as Jack Parter is withdrawn for Benni Bioletti sixty eighth.
Rams on the attack as Chats seem to tire as Paxman picks up a ball down the right, looks to have knocked the ball too far in front of himself but shows great determination to get to it a place a perfect cross for Taylor to head home Rams third and hopefully finish off the Chats fight back. It’s certainly quietened the Chats support.
Chats heads are down although they are trying to come back but are now leaving gaps in their defence, Bode Anidugbe with a solo effort after a through ball from Oliver, Anidugbe still has to beat three defender before finishing with aplomb to score Rams fourth in the eighty fifth.
It’s Anidugbe again picks up a loose ball just inside the Chats half he looks up sees nothing on so goes on a run leaving Chats defenders in his wake as he by passes three or four before sliding a perfect finish under Bridle Card who’s left banging his fist on the floor as he looks at his defence or lack of!
Rams superb performance and a very deserved victory having out played the higher league side in all departments, the hundred plus Rams supporters go home very happy and are looking forward to more performances along the same lines.
Attendance: 1230
RFSA Player of the match: Bode Anidugbe
The Teams:
Chatham
1Ben Bridle Card, 15Simon Cooper, 3Kristian Campbell , 4Jordan Robins, 9Tommy Fagg, 6Dean Beckwith, 7Ashley Nzala, 10Ben Allen, 18Matt Bodkin, 16Cameron Brodie, 20Che Krabbendam
Subs: 11Chinedu McKenzie, 12Joseph Taylor, 14Nods Bobomurodov, 17Seidou Sanogo, 2Ollie Hobden
Ramsgate
19Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 5Dan Johnson , 6Bode Anidugbe, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 14Medy Elito, 15Lee Martin, 18Sinnkaye Christie, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 2Tristan Holden, 4Joe Ellul, 8Jack Paxman, 12Freddie Oliver, 13Archie Simmons, 17Mike West, 7Benni Bioletti
Ramsgate next in action:
09 Sep Home Northwood FA Trophy first qualifying round
13 Sep Home Ashford United Velocity Cup second round
16 Sep FA Cup to be confirmed.
