By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 1 Broadbridge Heath 0
Alfie Paxman (84)
An overcast day as the teams take to the pitch at the WW Martin community stadium, in only the second ever meeting between the Rams and the Bears, Ramsgate came out on top in the away fixture, winning by two goals to nil.
Bears kick off playing toward the town end of the ground, they are attacking the Rams from the off, an early start down their left, played for Mason Doughty to strike forcing a good low save from Tom Hadler low to his right, forcing the ball out for a corner.
The Bears seem keen on long balls over the Rams defensive line, for Doughy to chase. Sixth minute, he beats the Rams line goes on and shoots across the goal going just wide.
Ninth minute, an early substitution for Rams as Lee Martin is replaced by Medy Elito forcing a reshuffle in the Rams positions.
Tenth, Rams first attack of the game, coming down the right and crossed into the area for Alfie Paxman to head, a wonderful save by Alfie Hadfield, out for a Rams corner. Rams put a few passes together and get the ball in for Dashane Dalling to shoot just over the crossbar.
Rams certainly more in the game. A ball out to A Paxman on the wing, he crosses into the area, the ball like a pinball machine ricocheting around, finally coming out to Joe Taylor to strike, blocked and cleared.
The Rams are keeping the pressure up and gain an eighteenth minute free kick. Jack S Paxman fires in, Alex Brefo up from the back rises to head just wide. Rams again down the left, A Paxman beats the defender, crosses but alas it’s behind Taylor and no one following in.
For all of Rams attacking, it’s Bears with Doughty having the better chances as they play a ball through, chased down and crossed over for Doughty to strike, his time blocked be Brefo.
Bears win a midfield ball quickly, up to Jamie Buchanan, he beats Jack A Paxman comes into range, shoots, another good save from Hadler.
A Paxman, on the left, is seeing a lot of ball and has the beating of Bears right back Kyle Sim. He goes round him and is tripped on the edge of the penalty area to the left of goal. JS Paxman smashes the kick into the Bears wall and out for a corner. Rams continue with the attacking. Elito this time, has a crack form range, easy save though for Hadfield.
As we approach half time Bears have ridden their luck, but Rams finishing has been poor, which has certainly contributed to the goalless score line.
Rams start the second half and instantly there’s more urgency as they know their arch-rivals have taken a lead and are currently level on points at the top of the table.
Forty seventh, a good turn and pass from Taylor puts Elito clean through but he losses his footing just before he can strike the ball. Rams are showing real intent now, a great ball into the area from Turner finds Taylor, for once facing goal he shoots, blocked by Tadley Bromage.
Rams take a quick free kick from just inside the Bears half, played out to Dalling on the right, he cuts across field, shoots an easy save for Hadfield. As Rams press Bears are defending deeper and deeper, at times have all eleven behind the ball.
Fiftieth, a rare Bears attack down the right, the cross collected by Hadler and quick distribution. On this occasion Rams move forward, a long-range strike fired in and Hadfield has to dive and punch the ball clear.
Bears reliant on hitting on the break, they have a couple of chances as firstly Doughty goes through again and then Ashley Mutongerwa has a shot, not troubling Hadler though.
Hadfield is keeping well and comes to claim the ball as Rams keep piling on the pressure, crosses in from A Paxman and Turner being collected in the air.
The large Rams support, although you can feel the tension they are making plenty of noise, trying to spur their team on.
Both sides making changes as Bears Doughty is replaced by Matt Hay and Rams Dalling is replace by Tijan Jadama. Bears then make a further change as Sam Lemon is replaced by Szymon Kowalczyk.
Bears using their long throw specialist, thrown in from the right into the heart of the Rams box, the scramble to clear, the ball fired back in low and with some power, Hadler down quickly to save.
Some excellent play by Jadama down by the goal line, left hand side, he holds the ball up against two defenders and sets the ball back for A Paxman to cross, alas it’s behind the two Rams men in the box.
Elito looses the ball in midfield and Bears play a through ball for Mutongerwa to run onto beating the offside, he bears down on goal, Hadler out to meet him making a wonderful save with his feet.
Eighty third, Rams finally break the deadlock playing down the right-wing. JS Paxman at pace, sees his brother A Paxman running in to the area, he plays a very hard low cross toward the goal, A Paxman running in rifles the ball into the back of the net, sending the fans into raptures.
Bears going one down having held out for so long now must attack. Its Rams turn to defend with seven minutes plus stoppage. Brefo and Craig Stone are marshalling the Rams back line, they need to keep concentration levels for the full period of time left.
One last change for the Rams as Taylor goes down being replaced by Wes Hennessy for what remains of the game.
Ninety plus four, Hennessey gets his chance going through with just one defender and the goal ahead of him, he passes to Turner who in turn lays the ball off to A Paxman taking the defender out of contention, Paxman shoots, Hadfield saves, out to Jadama he shoots with the keeper still recovering, the ball blasts against the woodwork.
Rams have one more chance as they have a forty-yard free kick. A Paxman decides to take a shot, going over the bar and the referee brings the game to an end.
Real edge of your seat stuff as Rams maintains the top spot, but their lead is now just two points and Cray Valley PM have one game in hand.
Attendance: 1337
RFSA Player of the match: Alfie Paxman
The Teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 4Alex Brefo, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack A Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 11Alfie Paxman, 12Deshane Dalling , 15Lee Martin, 16Jack S Paxman, 19Joe Turner
Subs: 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 17Wes Hennessey, 18Dan Johnson, 20Tijan Jadama
BEARS: 1Alfie Hadfield, 2Kyle Sim, 3Jamie Chesworth, 4Matt Penfold, 5Tadley Bromage, 6Ryan Brackpool, 7Jake Lindsey, 8Jamie Buchanan, 9Mason Doughty, 10Ashley Mutongerwa, 11Sam Lemon
Subs: 12Andrew Waddingham, 14Sean Terry, 15Matthew Hay, 16Gideon Acheampong, 17Szymon Kowalczyk
Ramsgate next in Action
Sat 24 Feb A East Grinstead Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 2 Mar H Ashford United Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 9 Mar A Beckenham Town Isthmian South East 3pm
For away travel contact Steve Miller on 07508-364101
