By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 3 Herne Bay 1
Alfie Paxman (7) Kane Rowland (32)
Joe Taylor (19,61)
A chilly afternoon at the WW Martin Community stadium as local rivals Herne Bay are the visitors. It’s the visitors who start the brighter, attacking the town end of the ground. An early chance for Mo Kamara, shooting straight into the arms of Tom Hadler in the Rams goal.
Bay attack again, this time Kamara down the right wing. Jack Parter out to block the cross as Rams are yet to settle.
Sixth minute, Rams first foray forward as Joe Taylor Rams centre forward holds the ball up and wins Rams a corner, ball played out to the edge of the box. A great flick from Lee Martin to Alfie Paxman who strikes a wonderful shot from twenty-five yards out beating Harry Brooks at the near post.
Rams now with their confidence up start moving the ball around and take control, with speedy attacks and fast movement. A late challenge on Tijan Jadama results in Jacob Gilbert receiving a yellow along with Rams Martin for pushing.
Rams pressure must tell as first Jordan Green cuts in from the wing and goes close, then Alfie Paxman wins a ball in midfield, plays forward to Rams, leading scorer Taylor in the middle of the box, he takes a touch and shoots with some venom through the legs of Brooks.
Bay’s opportunities have been very limited by some excellent midfield work from the Rams. Thirty second minute, Bay break quickly, Craig Stone bringing down Michael Salako. Stone receives a yellow for his troubles, but worse as the freekick is fired in low and Hadler is unable to hold onto the ball. With Kane Rowland following up to tap in the rebound.
The goal certainly spurs on the Bay as they begin to feel they may be able to take something from the game.
Rams forced into a substitution as Martin limps off from midfield to be replaced by Medy Elito. His first touch of the ball leading to a nasty challenge from behind from Danny Walder and another yellow for Bay.
Rams start the second half brightly, Alfie Paxman down the left flank making inroads goes through only to be brought down by Mo Kamara, Bays fourth yellow card.
Sixty first, long ball forward finds Taylor in space, he glances up to see Brooks rushing out to meet him, cool as you like Taylor lobs the ball over him into the back of the net.
Substitutions for both sides with Bay Gilbert going off for Archie Burnett and Rams Parter off for Benny Bioletti. The latter meaning a change of position for Alfie Paxman who drops to left back.
Taylor from point blank forces an incredible save from Brooks. However, it’s Bay that are doing the majority of attacking with chances falling to Rowland who works Hadler but is unable to net.
Bay make another couple of changes with Frankie Smith being replaced by Tom Hanfrey & Danny Walder off for Sam Wright.
Rams continue to press as both sides start to tire. Pont suffering in the Bay’s defence limps off, reducing them to ten men. As a result Bay resort to playing long balls forward trying to turn the Rams. Hadler aware keeps them out quickly off his line to break up play.
Rams make one last change as they welcome back Joe Elull to replace Mike West.
A deserved win for the Rams and a valuable three points to keep them at the top of the table.
Attendance: 1625
RFSA Player of the match: Joe Taylor
The Teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 2Alfie Young, 3Jack Parter, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 15Lee Martin, 17Mike West, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 4Joe Ellul, 6Bode Anidugbe, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 18Dan Johnson
BAY: 1Harry Brooks, 2Sam German, 3Frankie Smith, 4Harrison Pont , 5Liam Friend, 7Kane Rowland, 8Mo Kamara, 9Michael Salako, 10Danny Walder, 11Theo Osinfolarin, 20Jacob Gilbert,
Subs: 12Harry Brown, 14Archie Burnett, 15Daniel Carrington, 17Sam Wright, 18Tom Hanfrey
Ramsgate next in action:
Sat 30 Dec H Sevenoaks Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Mon 1 Jan A Sittingbourne Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 6 Jan A Lancing Isthmian South East 3pm