By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 2 Woking 1
Tijan Jadama (40) Denon Lewis (13)
Lee Martin (73)
A dank, horrible day at the WW Martin Community stadium for Ramsgate’s first ever home tie in the FA cup first round proper. The visitors Woking some 63 league positions higher.
Woking are a full time professional team playing in the Vanarama National league and a very tough test for the Rams.
The game was under way with 3000 in attendance, not quite Rams largest ever crowd, but that was in the distant past before regulations came into force.
Woking are attacking the Town end in the first half, they are quick out of the blocks and are closing Rams down quickly, although it’s a little too quick as the first foul on Tijan Jadama is made just a couple of minutes in. This was to be one of over a dozen during the match as they try to stop Rams midfield maestro.
Attack after attack as Woking push forward, Rams not settling or being allowed to settle, Zach Bradshaw up front for Woking causing all sorts of problems for Rams defenders. The pressure and pace was going to tell and it did with a well worked move, coming from what appeared a foul in midfield. Woking broke quickly moving the ball forward and a perfect pass found the run of Dennon Lewis to go through and calmly slot the ball past Tom Hadler in the Rams goal.
It took Rams a good half hour before they got a foothold in the game and then they started to show what they can do. Slick passing, fast movement and great wing play with Alfie Paxman & Jordan Green powering down the wings.
Rams Lee Martin getting more into the game and linking play with Joe Taylor holding up the ball to help with Rams attacks, but they just cannot find a killer ball and resort to shooting from range with Paxman and Martin both trying their luck.
Woking becoming reliant on hitting long balls forward from their keeper Will Jaaskelainen with the wind at their backs he was getting great distance and setting up attacks. Rams Joe Elull seeming to be in the right place every time to clear.
Rams really showing their passion as Green goes close which forces Jaaskelainen to tip over his crossbar. A ball into Taylor in the area and he’s immediately surrounded by three defenders. Woking have definitely done their homework, not giving Taylor any space to move as he attempts to become the leading goal scorer in the FA cup this season.
Rams break up play in midfield, a ball over the top controlled superbly by Jadama as he brings it under-control whilst holding off a defender and he cooly fires under the keeper to put Rams level on forty minutes. The 2500 Rams fans are ecstatic.
Rams attack again. This time Green gets into the box down near the goal line. He goes down under an awful challenge but the ref waves the penalty appeals away, although there must have been some doubt as Green was not cautioned for diving.
The end of a frantic first half which was probably in Woking’s favour but Rams resolve saw them level at the break, a chance for Ben Smith to rally his men for what will be a battling second half.
The second half has a real cup tie feel about it with end to end play, although Rams are looking slightly the better with Alfie Paxman marauding down the left wing and giving Dan Moss a lot to think about defensively.
Woking are forcing Rams back. We are fifty minutes in and Rams with ten men back, they are defending deeper and deeper but Joe Elull is like a man of steel, mopping up everything. Heading out crosses, blocking shots, stopping runs, he is a colossus at the back for Rams and is inspiring his team mates.
Hadler in the goal has been very busy making some first class saves keeping the Rams dream alive. Could they pull off a shock and make the 2nd Round proper for the first time in the club’s history?
Rams having a good spell. A corner comes in, Elull is up in the box, appears to be pulled back, ref waves it away again. Rams not happy with the decision but play continues. Jadama runs through from midfield the ball at his feet and is tripped from behind just before the penalty area. Martin strikes the free kick into the wall, out to Alfie Paxman, he strikes hitting the remnants of the wall. The crowd getting louder and louder with Rams in front of goal.
Seventy third Rams have a corner on the right. A training ground move played at pace along the floor dummied by the first attacker and placed wonderfully into the back of a static Jaaskelainen’s net, by Martin. the crowd in raptures as Rams take the lead.
Both sides making changes with numerous subs coming on, as Rams have to defend and Woking need to attack. It’s a very nervy twenty minutes to go and most of the action is in the Rams half. More stunning saves from Hadler, getting fingertips to turn balls around the post or over the bar. Elull heading out the crosses. The crowd’s nerves can be felt all around as Rams are hanging on.
Seven minutes of added time. A golden opportunity for Woking, a ball crossed in from the right finding Scott Cuthbert who’s up from the back totally unmarked, he hits his volley which almost goes out for a throw. Again Woking attack, cross to the back post evading Elull for once, the header though straight into the arms of Hadler who drops to the floor to waste precious seconds.
One last attack from Woking, Hadler at full stretch gets a hand to the ball and Rams have done it. A momentous day as Rams are victorious, the fans on the pitch in joyous celebrations and a place in the 2nd round.
RFSA player of the match: Joe Elull
Attendance: 3000
The teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 4Joe Ellul, 5Sinnkaye Christie, 8Jack Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman , 15Lee Martin, 17Mike West, 20Tijan Jadama,
Subs 2Alfie Young, 6Bode Anidugbe, 7Benny Bioletti , 12Louie Procopi, 13Archie Simmons, 14Medy Elito, 16Freddie Oliver, 18Wes Hennessey, 19Tristan Holden
WOKING: 22Will Jaaskelainen, 2Dan Moss, 3Josh Casey, 4Scott Cuthbert, 11Dennon Lewis, 14Rhys Browne, 19Charlie Wakefield, 20Zach Bradshaw, 21Timi Odusina, 24Rohan Ince, 25Morgan Williams
Subs: 1Alexis Andre Jnr, 5Greg Taylor, 10Padraig Amond, 16Tunji Akinola, 28Sam Habergham, 34Jamie Hilton
The draw for the second round of the The Emirates FA Cup is at 2:30pm today (Sunday)
