By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Ramsgate 2 Sittingbourne 2
Joe Taylor (50 pen) Chris Harris (2, 23)
Joe Turner (78)
A warm sunny day at the WW Martin Community Stadium as the Rams host, the playoff chasing Sittingbourne Brickies.
The visitors win the toss and elect to change ends and kick toward the airport end of the ground for the first half, this being only the second time the Rams have played in this direction for the first period.
We are underway and the Brickies are looking to really cause an upset, as they appear to be far more switched on than the Rams. An immediate attack down the left and Brickies win a corner. The ball fired in, Craig Stone can only head the ball up in the air, it drops right on the foot of Chris Harris who needs no second chance and smashes home from a couple of feet in the second minute.
The Brickies are chasing Rams down the instant they are on the ball, the Brickies midfield are closing Rams down so quickly it’s stopping them from being able to play forward with moves just getting over the half way then going backwards.
Ninth minute, Rams have a free kick midway inside the Brickies half, Lee Martin plays the ball over the defensive line for Tijan Jadama, he beats a couple before playing the ball Crossfield for Alfie Paxman to strike, his effort lacking any power is an easy take for Bobby Mason in the Brickies goal.
The Brickies come immediately back at the Rams, Harris chases a lost cause, gets to the ball and manages to gain a corner as Jack Paxman chased him down. The Brickies are certainly having the better procession as they go forward again and Gabriel Piorkowski tries to place a shot going just wide of Hadler’s goal.
Rams thus far have been restricted to long range free kicks, of which they are yet to test Mason in the Brickies goal. Twenty third as the visitors come forward again, ball played out wide left for Mitchell May, a pinpoint cross onto the head of Harris beating Stone in the air to head home Brickies second goal.
Stone at the back for the Rams does not look likely to continue having had the head injury in the last game and Rams do make the change on twenty seven minutes, as Sinnkaye Christie replaces him.
Rams now facing an uphill battle, so far this season they have given teams a two goal advantage on four occasions and came through to win, however they were not the calibre of Sittingbourne.
Are the Rams having a wobble, as the league is closing in, with Cray Valley PM winning currently Rams are four points behind.
Rams are creating but nothing seems to be working as Joe Taylor their talisman shoots wide, the Brickies just appear so much quicker at closing down and no matter what the Rams try they are not looking at their best.
As we approach the half time break, Mitchell May gets in behind the Rams defence and a good block from Christie, the ball comes out to Chris Regis he fires in and Christie blocks again. The whistle goes for half time with Rams hanging on in a game they really need points from.
A slight delay to the second half, we are underway, Rams have obviously been read the riot act by Ben Smith during the break, as they start to force the game. Some good defensive play by the Brickies keeps Rams at bay.
Rams are actually creating some good forward play now, a quick ball in for Taylor, he tries to turn and causes Donvieve Jones into a rash challenge bringing Taylor down for a Rams penalty. Taylor places the ball on the spot and slams the ball home putting Mason the wrong way to get a goal back. The recovery is on!
The goal has certainly ramped up the atmosphere in the ground as the Rams support finally have something to cheer, the Rams now looking the stronger of the sides as the Brickies must be tiring with an hour played. Changes are expected from both sides, however It’s the Brickies that start.
Brickies sub sixty sixth and seventy fourth Chris Arthur on for Sergio Uyi and Stefan Ilic on for Gabriel Piorkowski to bolster their midfield and try to defend their slender lead.
Rams certainly looking the stronger, as we head toward the last ten. It’s all Rams, Jordan Green now coming into play more and more as he outpaces a tiring Brickie defence.
Seventy eighth, Joe Turner collects a pass in from the right, he has no other intention than going for goal and fires across Mason and into the back of the net to level. The Brickies are now holding on, as Rams are up for the game, the large crowd egging them on.
The game on a knife edge as Rams continue to force the issue and the Brickies getting as many behind the ball as possible just leaving Harris hovering around the centre circle in case they can breakout.
We are indicated that there will be a minimum seven additional minutes, with Rams going for glory and Green getting more and more involved as the Brickies defenders tire. The game ebbing toward a draw a final effort from Jones for the Brickies firing across goal, Tom Hadler down quickly to save low to his right. The final whistle blows, and the honours are even.
Another fantastic crowd for the Rams as they top the attendance table by some margin, almost double any other clubs in the league. The team will be pushing in the last few games of the season. The big game to come versus their title rivals on April 13th, come and support the Rams title bid.
Attendance: 1433
RFSA Player of the Match: Jordan Green
The Teams:
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 19Joe Turner, 4Alex Brefo, 5Craig Stone, 8Jack A Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 12Matthew Attenborough-Warren , 15Lee Martin, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 6Bode Anidugbe, 3Jack Parter, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 18Sinnkaye Christie
BRICKIES: 1Bobby Mason, 11Mitchell May, 3Bagasan Graham, 4Gabriel Piorkowski, 5Joe Tyrie, 9Chris Harris, 6Chris Regis, 8Harry Hope, 2Donvieve Jones, 10Ayman El-Mogharbel, 14Sergio Uyi
Subs: 12Cameron Black, 13Josh Snell, 16Danny Parish, 15Chris Arthur, 7Stefan Ilic
Ramsgate next in action:
Sat 6 Apr A Phoenix Sports Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 9 Apr A East Grinstead Town Isthmian South East 7.30pm
Sat 13 Apr H Cray Valley PM Isthmian South East 3pm
For away travel please contact Steve Miller 07508 364101
Leave a Reply