By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 1 Sevenoaks 0
Tijan Jadama (89)
Ramsgate Manager Ben Smith is presented with a second consecutive manager of the month award in a pre-match presentation as Neil Pilcher, director from Isthmian league, hands over the trophy.
As the teams enter the pitch at the WW Martin Community stadium the heavens open as the rain falls and the wind starts to blow, but it will not dampen the spirits of the fans who are growing steadily each week.
We are underway and it’s the visitors showing intent, closing Rams down quickly, nullifying Rams midfield. An audacious attempt from Matthew Attenborough-Warren from just inside the Rams half as he tries to lob the ball over Tom Hadler in the Rams goal. Hadler scrambling back sees the ball landing on the roof of his net.
Rams try a few things predominantly down the right through Jordan Green who manages to beat the full back on numerous occasions, but the final ball always evades a red shirt.
Oaks seem to be controlling most of the play and going forward. Emmanuel Mensah looks very dangerous with his runs from midfield. Oaks appear to have played almost twenty minutes in the Rams half.
Rams have had a couple of moments where they have looked like making something happen as Tijan Jadama, Alfie Paxman and Benny Bioletti all have chances, but Oaks have kept them all out.
Rams golden opportunity missed as a cross from the right finds Craig Stone in the area but he cannot control his header as he beats the keeper to the ball and heads over the bar. Rams now on the attack more using Green down the right, chances for Mike West from range firing over, then Bioletti straight at Dan Colmer in the Oaks goal.
As we approach half time Rams will be feeling unlucky not to be at least one up. Although the start was poor, they have certainly made up for it. Alfie Paxman tries a curling shot from the left, beats Colmar only to rebound off the angle of post and crossbar. As Rams look to press, Bode Anidugbe tries a shot from outside the area, Colmar is equal to it and saves.
A lovely sweeping move from the Rams coming off the back of an Oaks attack, sees a pass to Joe Taylor laid off to Jadama, out to Bioletti, he shoots just over. Rams go again as Alfie Paxman and Bioletti with some great passing crossed back to Anidugbe, who shoots low to Colmar’s left. A fantastic save on the stroke of half time.
The second half is much the same as Oaks look to hit on the break. They do seem to be very good at that and are at times outnumbering the Rams defenders. Rams however, manage to get back quickly and look strong at the back.
Oaks mount an attack down the right, crossed over toward the back post. Unmarked, Rowan Liburd heads down toward goal, Hadler down quickly to save, gives his defenders a talking too and we are back to the action.
Sixtieth, Taylor from a long ball over the Oaks line bears down on goal only to be thwarted by a last -ditch challenge by Corey Holder who injures himself and has to go off, but he has saved his team.
Rams now throwing everything they have at Oaks who are now defending with all eleven men in their own half.
Rams make a change as Lee Martin replaces Anidugbe who must be exhausted as he seems to have been everywhere in the midfield for Rams and has been involved in many of the attacks. The change seems to have unbalanced the side and ten minutes later Ben makes another change as Medy Elito replaces Green.
Rams still not looking right as Bioletti who has been up and down the wing all game is replaced bringing on Jack Parter. This allows Alfie Paxman to move up onto the wing as Parter slots into left back position.
Eighty second, Jadama goes through and just manages to keep the ball in play, cuts back to Taylor. This time only two defenders around him, he turns and shoots in one motion, a fraction wide. It’s all Rams as they press for the win, just the odd break now from Oaks.
The crowd really getting behind the Rams as they continue the assault on Oaks goal. A Rams defensive error sees Fumnaya Shomotun have a chance but some stout defending from Stone prevents a shot.
Eighty ninth, Rams starting from the middle played to Taylor, immediately out to Elito on the right wing, his cross low and hard toward the near post missed by Colmer. Following in Jadama through the crowd of defenders, slots home. The crowd erupts, and Ben is running down the touchline as the players, supporters and management celebrate.
Referee indicates nine minutes of added nail-biting time. Oaks now desperate to get an equaliser win. A free kick on the edge of the Rams area with approximately three minutes left, Kiron Cadogan over the ball eyeing up the top left corner of Hadler’s goal. He steps up, shoots and Jadama on the end of the wall heads away the danger.
Rams hold out for the three points against a very good Sevenoaks side in one of the toughest games this season.
RFSA player of the Match: Tijan Jadama
Attendance: 1042
The Teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 2Alfie Young, 6Bode Anidugbe, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack Paxman,9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 7Benny Bioletti, 17Mike West , 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 4Joe Ellul, 3Jack Parter, 15Lee Martin, 14Medy Elito, 18Dan Johnson
OAKS: 1Daniel Colmer, 2Jerald Aboagye, 3Karn Miller-Neave, 4Emmanuel Mensah, 5Rian Bray, 6Corey Holder, 7Fumnaya Shomotun, 8Matthew Attenborough-Warren, 15Rowan Liburd, 10Dominic Morgan Griffiths, 11Daniel Bennett
Subs: 12Tyrese Osbourne, 14Aiden Payne-James, 9Daniel Carr, 16Kieron Cadogan