By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Merstham 0 Ramsgate 3
Joe Taylor (16)
Medy Elito (33)
Tijan Jadama (73)
A rare visit to Surrey this season as Merstham host the Rams at the Hybrid Fitness stadium for an Isthmian SE league match. A clear autumnal evening with a slight chill in the air.
Merstham get us under way and start very well as Samir Baija and Callum Corbin link up and take early control of the midfield, the only thing lacking is a clinical pass, as they lose out each time going forward.
Rams settle after 10 minutes, as Tijan Jadama and Lee Martin get a feel for the pristine grass playing surface. Jadama seems to be buzzing around everywhere in the mid-field, with Martin sitting in the playmaker role spraying the ball all around and creating good attacks down either flank and through the middle.
Merstham Lorenzo Lewis outpaces right back Alfie Young, gets to the goal line and delivers a cross field ball that evades everybody. It does show there is a threat.
Sixteenth Rams attack down the left. Alfie Paxman crosses in for Joe Taylor to strike, Endurance Johnson in the Merstham goal parries the ball straight back to Taylor, who hits such a powerful strike that Johnson although getting hand to the ball cannot keep it out of his net.
Rams wingers take control with the pace of Jordan Green giving Harry Murphy at left back so many problems that Merstham have to double up the defensive effort against Green, thus freeing space elsewhere.
Thirty third after a period of Rams just knocking the ball around at will, leaving Merstham players like statues, Rams full of intent open Merstham up as first Taylor shoots the ball coming back to Paxman. He drives forward and plays a perfect pass for Medy Elito to run on to and fire home for Rams second.
Green and Paxman continue to give the full backs nightmares, attacking down both flanks and when they find a dead end either Martin or Jadama are free to continue the move, down the opposite side.
The second half, the Rams turn the game into what looks like a training session as they knock the ball around leaving Merstham chasing shadows. Ram look as if every-time they go forward they should score.
It’s a pleasure to watch the Rams in action even the neutrals in the ground must be appreciating the football being played. Defensively Rams have not really been troubled since the first ten minutes of the match, with Tom Hadler being protected from having to make any saves as the defence & midfield look totally assured.
Merstham make a couple of substitutions with the dangerous looking Corbin going off, most likely to save him for the weekends match.
Rams now passing and shooting at every chance, even Rams fullbacks are venturing forwards.
Seventy second Jadama collects a through ball, rounds four Merstham defenders placing the ball past Johnson to round off a perfect night for him and the team.
Martin who probably deserves a goal couldn’t have come closer as his strike from thirty five yards thunders against Johnsons crossbar, with him totally beaten.
The last ten minutes sees Rams just toying with their opposition. It’s like a cat with a mouse as Rams play out till the final whistle.
RFSA player of the Match: Tijan Jadama
Attendance: 265
The Teams:
Merstham: 1Endurance Johnson, 2Oliver Khinda , 3Harry Murphy, 4Samir Bajja , 5Harry Pointing, 6Dean Gunner, 7Ben Senior, 8Billy Oram, 9Will Kendall, 10Callum Corbin, 11Lorenzo Lewis
Subs: 12Lewis Pearch, 14Junior Savane, 15Korrey Henry, 16Joshua Millo, 17Michael Abnett
Rams: 1Tom Hadler, 2Alfie Young, 3Jack Parter, 4Joe Ellul, 5Craig Stone, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 14Medy Elito, 15Lee Martin, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 6Bode Anidugbe, 7Benny Bioletti, 8Jack Paxman, 17Mike West, 19Freddie Oliver
Ramsgate next in Action: All Isthmian SE League
11Nov Home v Beckenham Town 3pm
14Nov Away v Sheppey United 7:45pm
18Nov Home v Phoenix Sports 3pm