By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Photos and videos by John Emmins
Beckenham Town 2 Ramsgate 5
Steven Townsend (15 pen) Tijan Jadama (30)
Jeremiah Frimpong (27) Lee Marin (41)
Joe Turner (45+5, 87)
Joe Taylor (62)
A bright sunny day at Eden Park Avenue, with a backdrop of the Crystal Palace towers. The teams enter pitch, it’s the host Becks getting us under way.
After just a couple of minutes an early foul on Tijan Jadama just inside the Becks half, Lee Martin tries a quick one but the referee was not ready so he will have to re-take, this time the ball played down the line for Jordan Green, his cross cleared.
A very even start although Green down the right is looking a big threat as Rams go forward. Eighth minute, Green wins the first corner of the game as he continues to cause Rhys Wyborn, Becks left back all sorts of problems.
Fourteenth, Rams must be wondering how they did not manage to score. A few close-range efforts somehow all manage to get blocked or saved.
Becks move forward quickly with a ball through Jeremiah Frimpong, he comes into the penalty area, a rash challenge from Jack A Paxman brings Frimpong down and a penalty kick is awarded. With Paxman receiving a yellow card. Steven Townsend steps up and fires home the penalty giving Becks the lead.
Becks now look a much better side with the confidence of the goal, a pacey move down their right as Freddie Nyhus goes on a run, alas his ball across the Rams area does not find a Becks player. Rams now looking a little nervy as Becks start to find their game.
Twenty second, Rams give away a needless freekick wide left, Wyborn lofts the ball into the area, headed clear by Brefo as Rams look very uncomfortable.
Rams beginning to create a little more, earning a freekick some thirty yards out, Martin guides the ball toward the back post, Craig Stone rising heads toward goal, only for Charlie Bower to block the effort for a corner.
Just as Rams look like their getting on top, a fast ball out from Nick Blue in the Becks goal, straight through the midfield with a super flick on crossed over for Frimpong to head home and finish off an excellent passing move for Becks in the twenty seventh.
If Becks think the job is done they will be in for a shock as Rams this season have already come from two goals down to go on to win a few times.
Thirtieth minute, a Rams freekick played in by Martin comes out to Jadama, he volleys first time beating Blue in the goal for pace to pull one back for the Rams.
It’s Rams now in the ascendancy, great work down the left as Jack Parter and Joe Turner link up, earning another Rams corner. The corner comes in, looks like a possible handball, the referee lets it go and Becks clear. All one-way traffic now as Rams pile on the pressure.
Joe Taylor has a couple of close-range chances blocked and saved. Becks seem to be fouling a lot more as they try to contain the Rams. The midfield battle is certainly lively with fouls on Green, Jadama and Martin just putting more pressure on the Becks back line.
Forty first, another foul on Martin out wide left and a good thirty-five yards out. Martin has some friendly bants with the home supporters, he steps up, spots Blue off his line and plants the ball over Blue into the top back corner of the goal. What a great way to answer the banter! As Rams go level.
Forty fourth, another Rams freekick. Martin fires in, brilliant save by Blue to save Becks blushes. Having been two goals up the last thing they want is to go in at half time behind. After all the stoppages there are six added minutes.
Rams take full advantage of the added time, Jadama plays the ball out wide left for Turner, he heads off across field, comes in from the touchline, gets to a central position and unleashes his shot at some pace, curling around Blue to give Rams a half time lead.
Can the second half live up to the entertainment of the first?
Rams start brightly with their tails up, the large travelling support right behind their side. Persistence from Turner holding up the ball winning yet another corner, comes over Green, shoots, blocked, another corner. Played in, headed away by Nathan Paul who is smacked by his own keeper. At least it relieves the Rams barrage for Becks.
Fifty fourth, Becks finally breakout down the right but a wild cross into the area is easily dealt with by Stone.
Rams back to attack mode as Becks soak up the continuous attacks, these are coming at all angles now as Rams use both flanks and the middle, as wave after wave of efforts come into Taylor and Turner. Blue is having an awful lot to do in the Becks goal.
Sixty second, after sustained pressure Rams put a wonderful passing move together as the ball goes out wide for Green to cross over, held up by Turner, laid off to Taylor, after a couple of attempts he manages to fire home Rams fourth.
Rams make a couple of subs with Jack Paxman and Matthew Attenbourgh-Warren being replaced by Alfie Paxman and Medy Elito.
Becks heads have not gone down as they try to go forward. A cracking effort from Townsend has Tom Hadler at full stretch, matching the shot with an equally good save.
Rams though are not done as they go forward, Green and Turner both having efforts stopped as Blue is certainly earning his wage.
Eighty sixth, Rams open Becks up as Turner goes through down to the byline, crosses back to Taylor, again the shot blocked. The Rams supporters in full voice cheering on the side. Rams wrestle the ball away in midfield, played into Turner, he beats the defender Florian Awoleke with a nice piece of skill and slots home past Blue, Rams fifth.
Ninetieth, an Alfie Paxman solo run as he goes through forcing probably the save of the day as Blue manages to tip over the bar.
Rams continue to knock the ball around and have another couple of corners before the final whistle blows.
Attendance: 365
RFSA player of the match: Joe Turner
The Teams:
BECKS: 1Nick Blue, 2Folarin Awoleke , 3Rhys Wyborn , 4Charlie Bower, 5Mudiaga Wanogho, 6Nathan Paul, 7Freddie Nyhus, 8Segun Ikudehinbu , 9Alfie Bloomfield, 10Steven Townsend, 11Jeremiah Frimpong
Subs: 12Jamiem Nhyte, 14Henry Griffin, 15Vinny Mukendi, 16Nathan Lavely, 17Robert Carter
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 4Alex Brefo, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack A Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 15Lee Martin, 12Matthew Attenborough-Warren , 19Joe Turner, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs 6Bode Anidugbe, 11Alfie Paxman, 7Deshane Dalling, 17Medy Elito, 18Sinnkaye Christie
Ramsgate next in action
Sat 16 Mar A Burgess Hill Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 19 Mar A Horndean Isthmian South East 7.45pm
Sat 23 Mar H Lancing Isthmian South East 3pm
For away travel contact Steve Miller on 07508-364101