By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 9 Phoenix Sports 1
A grey damp day at WW Martin community Stadium, the air still. The fans in good voice for this top vs bottom clash. Ramsgate come into the game with nine straight league wins and Phoenix with just two.
Ramsgate lose the coin toss and will kick toward the Town end in the first half. Rams immediately on the attack with Benny Bioletti down the left, squares the ball to Medy Elito, passes to Joe Taylor, he turns shoots, Andy Walker in the Phoenix goal is down quickly to save.
Phoenix move the ball forward quickly out to Ryan Hayes. He cuts in off the right wing and shoots fractions wide of Tom Hadler’s goal. Phoenix having a good five minutes. Another attack down the right, Hayes crosses defended by Craig Stone.
Ramsgate open Phoenix up as first Taylor fires in another shot parried by Walker as far as Jack Parter who shoots fractions wide.
It’s all one-way traffic now as Jordan Green and Bioletti storm down the flanks crossing in, how Rams have not scored in the opening twenty minutes is beyond me, Walker has made some outstanding saves. Ball into Taylor, he turns holding off the defenders and shoots the ball going under Walker, the linesman signals the ball has crossed the line and Rams have that elusive goal.
Rams a little too casual at the back. A square pass as Phoenix bear down, Alfie Young improvises to clear the threat.
Rams attacking play has been exceptional so many chances, let’s hope they don’t rue the missed opportunities, Bioletti going close and Bode Anidugbe hitting the bar after a lovely piece of skill.
Rams are firing balls into the Phoenix box from every position Lee Martin, Elito and Anidugbe controlling the midfield and delivering exceptional passes, crosses and shots at Walker’s goal. He must be feeling shell shocked and that he’s the only player on the Phoenix team.
Rams pressure really telling as Phoenix are chasing shadows. Thirty fifth, super Rams as Parter takes the ball out left, a perfectly weighted ball for Bioletti to run onto and fire home Rams second at the near post.
Thirty seventh, Stone pops up in the Phoenix box a wonderful back heel from Taylor finds him, he shoots Walker saves. This is like the proverbial turkey shoot, as Rams now seem to be playing two men at the back and everyone else pushing forward, Phoenix have no answer to the onslaught.
As Rams press, Green getting in on the shooting, a powerful shot saved by Walker the ball however lands at Taylor’s feet for him to blast Rams third in the thirty eighth.
Hadler’s services are called upon just before half time as Phoenix have a rare visit to the Ramsgate goal a good save at his near post, having had virtually nothing to do. Rams have one last attack before half time, Elito firing in from range, another fantastic save from Walker.
Second half becomes almost farcical as the rampant Rams take total control, knocking the ball around as if it were just another training game. A virtual static Phoenix side looking demoralised already, as Bioletti takes charge, a run straight down the middle and he rifles his shot past the diving Walker for Rams fourth.
Rams are not going to hold back as they continue to press with both Taylor and Bioletti looking for hatricks.
Fifty eighth, Phoenix make a double substitution, Daniel Thompson and Victor Aiyelabola coming, Thompson a tall centre forward, perhaps Phoenix are looking to play a longball game.
A short break as Rams re group and make a couple of subs of their own with Alfie Paxman and Mike West coming on for Green and Martin, like for like swaps but probably the last thing Phoenix want to see.
Immediately Alfie Paxman is in the action, slotting a pass to Parter who shoots instantly forcing Walker to save yet again, his hands must be stinging some what now. Alfie again goes through shoots, again Walker saves with the help of the post.
Sixty ninth, out of nowhere Elito has the ball at his feet takes one look and unleashes a long-range effort, the outstretched hand of Walker unable to get to the ball for Rams fifth.
Rams switch off for a second as a cross comes into their box from the right, Thompson between the two central defender leaps to head home for what can only be a consolation goal.
We hear Ben Smith shout some encouragement to the Rams players and telling them to be more alert, normal service is resumed as Taylor completes his hatrick, as a super pass from West allows him through to score Rams sixth in the seventy third.
Rams sub Tijan Jadama replace Anidugbe seventy fifth.
Taylor adds his fourth with a long-range shot, he just makes room for himself, opens his body and smashes a great strike beating Walker for pace.
Eighty eighth, Bioletti is pulled down left edge of the penalty area. Alfie Paxman stands the ball up to the back post where Stone ghosts in and finishes well for Rams eighth.
Ninetieth minute, another Rams freekick in a great position for Alfie Paxman. He picks his spot and places a beautiful kick right in the bottom corner of the Phoenix net, to finish off the rout.
There will be no Phoenix rising from the flames.
A total master class from Ramsgate and it’s now ten league wins in a row, as they go three points ahead of the chasing pack.
RFSA player of the match: Joe Taylor
Attendance: 953
Rams goals
Joe Taylor (21, 38, 73, 80)
Benny Bioletti (35, 50)
Medy Elito (69)
Craig Stone (88)
Alfie Paxman (90)
Phoenix goal
Daniel Thompson (71)
The Teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 2Alfie Young, 3Jack Parter, 5Craig Stone, 6Bode Anidugbe, 8Jack Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 14Medy Elito, 15Lee Martin, 7Benny Bioletti
Subs: 4Joe Ellul, 11Alfie Paxman, 13Archie Simmons, 17Mike West, 20Tijan Jadama
PHOENIX: 1Andy Walker, 2Henry Douglas, 3Jamie Watson, 6Lewis Clark, 7Ryan Hayes, 8Tom O’Connor, 14Michael Sarpong, 12Gael Kileba, 18Ali Mansaray, 10Andy Pugh, 11Kieran King
Subs 9Daniel Thompson, 15Jaevon Dyer, 17Ashdon Day, 20Victor Aiyelabola, 19Temi Oladejo
Ramsgate next in Action:
22Nov Home v Hythe Town ILSE 7:45pm
25Nov Away v Cray Valley PM 3pm
04Dec Away v AFC Wimbledon Emirates FA Cup 7:45pm
