By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Littlehampton Town 1 Ramsgate (1) 2
Jordan Leyton (90+4 pen) Joe Taylor (15)
Alfie Paxman (58)
A long trip down to Littlehampton for the players and supporters alike, Rams with around two hundred travelling fans, worrying about the condition of the pitch and if the game would even go-ahead.
To the delight of Littlehampton, the game goes ahead with their largest league crowd of the season with four hundred and twelve in attendance. The ground-staff have done an excellent job, the pitch looking in great condition despite all the rain.
A very slow start to the match as both sides slip a little on the surface but it’s not cutting up at all, which will certainly assist the Rams passing game. A few heavy tackles going in from the off, partly the surface but more the plays letting each other know they are there.
The first move forward for the Rams leads to a free kick in a wide position on the right-hand side. Lee Martin fires in a cross, collected easily by James Binfield, the Golds keeper.
Seventh minute, as the Golds go forward gaining a corner that Rams must defend, the corner aimed toward the penalty spot, Tom Hadler decides to punch clear and relieves the pressure.
Fifteenth, Rams play a long ball over the Golds defence. Tijan Jadama reacts quickly, makes forward progress but away from the goalmouth he crosses over into the danger area and Joe Taylor has ghosted in allowing the ball to effectively hit his shins and with the pace on the ball it beats Binfield to give Rams the lead.
Rams with the goal advantage keep the pressure up, with Martin going close, just a good defensive block stopping a goal.
Although the Golds keep going forward the result seems to be the same, out for a corner before they are even able to get a shot away, as the Rams defence stays strong.
A good aerial interception by Jack Parter, he brings the ball under control and goes forward, he tries to lay the ball off to Taylor, the pass intercepted and the Golds are immediately on the attack, they gain a free kick midway inside Rams half. A poor delivery from Ryan Yoro-Thomas sees Rams clear.
As we approach the half hour Rams have a great opportunity as Taylor comes deep, plays the ball out wide to Alfie Paxman, he goes down the line, crosses in for Parter to head forcing Binfield to save.
Rams trying down the right flank as Jordan Green takes on Dion Jarvis, Golds left back and leaves him sat on the floor with a super piece of skill, immediately three defenders are round Green but he still earns a corner out of the position. Green is now the main focus of attack for the Rams, he beats a defender, cuts across and appears to be brought down just on the edge of the box, the referee waves play on.
Thirty eighth, Rams forced into a substitution as Craig Stone receives a nasty looking cut just above his eye, he clears a concussion test but is unable to continue. His replacement Sinnkaye Christie will slot straight in as centre back.
Forty fourth, after some calamitous defending by the Golds, Alfie Paxman goes in on goal but is unable to get any power in his effort, allowing Binfield to pick the ball up with ease.
With five added minutes, Rams have a free kick. Alfie Paxman strikes the ball, going just over Binfield’s crossbar, to end a frustrating half.
The second half starts in much the same vein as the first, very slow to develop as the fans wait almost ten minutes before the first effort on goal which is blocked and cleared by the Rams.
Fifty eighth, as Rams go on the offensive, ball through to Taylor, he fires in a powerful strike, too much for Binfield to be able to hold as the ball comes back out Alfie Paxman is there to volley home, to give Rams a two-goal advantage.
Play becomes a little terse with both sides giving away fouls which result in a few yellow cards being issued to both teams as frustration and tempers rise.
As both teams make substitutions the Rams replace Lee Martin and Alex Brefo with Bode Anidugbe and Medy Elito.
Seventy first, the Golds have their first shot of the half on target, fired in by Nodirbek Bobomurodov, excellent save by Hadler.
Eightieth, one of the rare attacks in this half as Tijan Jadama picks up a loose ball, plays in Green who links up with Alfie Paxman, sadly the ball runs out for a corner ruining a good Rams move.
The Golds are coming back at the Rams now, as Josh Short starts to get really into the game having a couple of good chances saved by Hadler.
Eighty forth, Rams superb attack, as Anidugbe and Elito link up in midfield, playing in Green with just the keeper to beat, he smashes his shot against the post. Rams are looking very good in midfield knocking the ball around as they try to build on their lead.
Rams keep going till the end ball is played up to Taylor just outside the box, as the ball reaches him he’s clattered from behind, Elito to take the kick, firing fractions over Binfield’s goal.
We are in added time at the end of the match, the Golds play a ball down the middle splitting the centre backs as Short goes through and Hadler comes out, miss timing his challenge, the Golds have a penalty kick. Jordan Leyton steps up slotting the ball to Hadler’s right to pull one back.
With seconds to go Rams gift another free kick in the middle of their own half. Bobomurodov plays the ball into the penalty area, Hadler seeing the danger comes and collects quickly clearing up field for Green to chase as the game come to a close.
Rams relieved to take all the points in a tough challenge, with just six games to go the title race continues with mounting pressure on the two leading sides.
Attendance: 412
RFSA Player of the match: Tijan Jadama
The Teams
GOLDS 1James Binfield, 2Ryan Yoro-Thomas, 3Dion Jarvis, 4Marshall Ball , 5Thomas Butler, 6Jordan Clark, 7Nodirbek Bobomurodov , 8Scott Kirkwood, 9Dave Herbert, 10Josh Short, 11Ollie Starkey
Subs: 12Scott Packer, 14Jordan Layton , 15Liam Humphreys, 16Bradley Peters, 17George Gaskin
RAMS 1Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 4Alex Brefo, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack A Paxman , 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 12Matthew Attenborough-Warren, 15Lee Martin, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 6Bode Anidugbe, 19Joe Turner, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 18Sinnkaye Christie
Ramsgate next in action:
Mon 01 Apr H Sittingbourne Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 6 Apr A Phoenix Sports Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 9 Apr A East Grinstead Town Isthmian South East 7.30pm
For away travel please contact Steve Miller 07508 364101