By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Sheppey United 0 Ramsgate 1
Benny Bioletti (82)
The skies cleared, a bitter wind blows across the Holm Park stadium home of Sheppey United The Ites, for the battle of the Isles of Kent. Rams have the opportunity to go top of the table with a win.
Sheppey get us under way, but it’s Rams that have the brighter start forcing the Ites on the defensive, as Tijan Jadama forces the first save of the game, Aiden Prall in the Ites goal makes a good save.
Rams have certainly set out their position in this game not allowing Ites to settle, after ten minutes of play in the Ites half they finally go forward with first D’Jean Spencer then Josh Wisson having blocked shots.
A few suspect decisions from the officials catch Rams offside on three attacks in a row, one from a goal kick where an attacker cannot be ruled offside. Rams push in playing some good quality football. Alfie Paxman is having a great time on the left wing with Jack Parter feeding him the ball.
Rams create a lot of chances with the ball coming in from Alfie Paxman. He’s also cutting in and creating shooting opportunities for himself.
Just before the half hour, Rams attacking again this time. Alfie Paxman is felled. To the left edge of the penalty are the usual suspects over the ball, Lee Martin and Paxman. Martin blasts into the wall, the rebound collected by Bode Anidugbe who tries his luck from range.
Ram’s best opportunity so far as Joe Taylor is put through, only the keeper to beat, but Prall saves with his legs, for a Rams corner played in and cleared off the line by Briggs Ojemen.
Tom Hadler finally called into action, making a couple of saves from Spencer and then saving at the feet of Wisson.
Rams build down the right, Jordan Green crosses in for Taylor, he shots and Prall makes another great save, the ball coming out to Paxman, he strikes, Taylor jumps to allow the ball through and Prall saves again.
The second half begins with Rams on the attack from the off, with Green going down the right, crosses, Taylor sets the ball for Paxman but he tries a tricky pass.
The general play is all going one way and its Rams attacking as we approach the hour mark. A super ball over the top from Martin for Parter to run onto, his path blocked for a throw. The ball comes in, Taylor in the area about to shoot is brought down. Rams awarded a penalty. Taylor tries to place it but shots wide.
Rams attacking now on all fronts with both wingmen seeing a lot of the ball and Anidugbe making runs from midfield.
Ites keeper Prall has certainly kept them in the game making some brilliant saves, as Rams look the stronger of the sides.
Seventy second minute sub for the Ites as Jacob Lambert is withdrawn for Maliq Morris a former Ram. Itse are immediately on the attack from a quickly taken free kick. Rams defence holds firm and clears without threat on the goal.
Subs for both sides as Rams introduce Benny Bioletti replacing Alfie Paxman and Joshua Arnold replacing Alexander Wills for the Ites.
Bioletti’s instant impact wide left takes the ball down toward the goal line, shoots hitting the angle of post and crossbar, his pace at this stage will worry any defender.
Rams finally have the goal they deserve, Jadama down the left takes the ball down toward the corner cuts it back to Bioletti, he takes one touch and unleashes his shot beating the despairing dive of Prall, the travelling masses ecstatic.
Rams with their tails up see Anidugbe on a charge outpacing the defence before a last dich challenge from Ojemen deflects he ball away. A couple more late chances. Medy Elito just wide and Green who has his shot saved by Prall.
A cracking game to watch albeit nail biting for the Rams support who must have thought a goal was never going to come as Prall saved everything that was hit toward him.
Attendance: 438
RFSA Player of the Match: Bode Anidugbe
The Teams:
ITES: 1Aiden Prall, 3Frankie Del Morgan, 4Olamilekan Majoyegbe, 5Briggs Ojemen , 6Richard Hamill , 11James Bessey-Saldanha, 12Jacob Lambert, 14Mamadou Diallo , 15Alexander Willis, 19D’Jean Spencer, 20Josh Wisson
Subs: 2Jamie Graham, 8Bailey Catherick, 16Jack Marsh, 17Maliq Morris, 18Joshua Arnold
RAMS 1Tom Hadler, 2Alfie Young, 3Jack Parter, 5Craig Stone, 6Bode Anidugbe, 8Jack Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 15Lee Martin , 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 4Joe Ellul, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 16Wes Hennessey, 17Mike West
Ramsgate Next in Action:
18Nov Home v Phoenix Sports ILSE 3pm
22Nov Home v Hythe Town ILSE 7:45pm
25Nov Away v Cray Valley PM 3pm
