By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Photos and videos John Emmins
Phoenix Sports 0 Ramsgate 2
Joe Taylor (59)
Lee Martin (67)
An unusually warm and blustery day at the Mayplace ground, as Phoenix host the Rams in the Isthmian South East. The Rams come into the match three points behind league leaders Cray Valley PM and level on goal difference.
A very slow start to the game with Phoenix playing the first half with the wind at their backs. They struggle to get to grips with the conditions, putting the ball out of play for goal kicks each time they go forward.
Rams are trying to keep the ball on the floor as much as possible, but the bumpy surface is not helping with that plan either, as a result the first fifteen minutes have been dour.
Phoenix finally have the first shot of the game as Denzelle Olopade, a former Rams, tries his luck from range, Tom Hadler is down comfortably to his right to make an easy save.
Rams still struggling with the passing game with many passes going awry as the ball bobbles along the surface. Twenty first minute and Rams get a ball wide to Alfie Paxman who finds Joe Taylor in the middle, he turns, shoots, blocked by Dexter Peter and cleared.
Rams create as Taylor plays a ball through the Phoenix back line for Tijan Jadama to chase, he’s forced a little wide to the right, gets in an excellent cross and with Alfie Paxman coming in at the back unmarked he must put it away, but alas another bobble takes the ball away from his foot from just a few feet out.
As Rams press they have a free kick midway inside the Phoenix half, Lee Martin fires toward the back post, headed back across goal by Sinnkaye Christie the ball drops for Alex Brevo to strike but again Peter is there at the back to block and clear.
Phoenix win a ball in midfield as Martin losses control, the ball quickly out to Ryan Hayes on the right wing and with Alfie Paxman out of position he has a clear run down the line, a superbly struck cross going right across the Rams penalty area, as they scramble back to cover.
Half hour in after good work down the wing Rams have a corner, played for Jordan Green, he runs across the area and has a pot shot, excellently saved by Andy Walker in the Phoenix goal. Rams are starting to create more chances now, with Martin trying a few clever balls into dangerous areas but Rams are still unable to get a goal.
As the second half commences after the goalless first, things can only get better, Rams with the wind at their backs now will hopefully make the most of it.
There’s an immediate difference at the start as Rams push Jadama into a more attacking position, Martin crosses from the right, Jadama brings the ball, sets it for Turner to shoot but no power and Walker collects.
Rams still adjusting, the strong wind causing passes to be over hit, however they do seem to be more in control of the action now.
Fifty fifth, Phoenix break out with a swift passing move, they get the ball in the area for Tashie-Jay Kwayie, their striker, he gets his shot away and an excellent block by Christie to save Rams blushes.
As we approach the hour mark and after some messy play in the midfield Rams get the ball in the Phoenix penalty area with Green and Taylor side by side, the former leaves the ball for Taylor to pounce and slot home beating Walker at his near post.
Phoenix though seem more buoyed by Rams taking the lead and have a great attack of their own seemingly just cutting through the midfield, they get the ball up to Palace Francis but for a last ditch saving tackle by Jack Paxman he would have been through.
Green seems to have woken up as he is now seeing more of the ball down the Rams right, he has a shot well blocked, gets in a few dangerous crosses.
As Rams look to build on their lead Jadama goes down the middle passes to Green, he strikes, again Peter is there to block.
Sixty sixth, Green wins an aerial ball in a central position, he lays it back for Martin to strike first time, as the ball comes through a crowd Walker is a little late getting across, he makes his dive and just as he’s in position the ball hits one of the bumps lifting over his outstretched arm and the ball nestles into the bottom corner of the goal.
A raft of substitutions with both teams making double changes in the seventh, with Rams replacing Jadama and Alfie Paxman with the midfield duo of Medy Elito and Bode Anidugbe.
As the poor game peters out Rams do make one last change as Benni Bioletti replaces Green. They also have one last effort as a cross for Bioletti is blocked the ball comes out to Elito who tries his luck from range but again it’s Peter in the way to head clear.
So Rams keep up the pressure and with just four games remaining they have the tougher run in.
RFSA Player of the Match: Matthew Attenborough-Warren
Attendance: 206
The Teams:
PHOENIX: 1Andy Walker, 2Henry Douglas,, 3Ross Craig, 4Denzelle Olopade, 5Dexter Peter, 6Adejola Lahan, 7Ryan Hayes, 9Tashi-Jay Kwayie, 11Palace Francis , 14Gael Kileba, 16Toch Singh
Subs: 8Marvin Herschel, 12Leo Mazzone, 18Joe Thomas, 19Temi Oladejo, 20Isaac Long
RAMS: 1Tom Hadler, 4Alex Brefo, 8Jack A Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman. 12Matthew Attenborough-Warren, 15Lee Martin, 18Sinnkaye Christie, 19Joe Turner, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 3Jack Parter, 6Bode Anidugbe, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 13Archie Simmons
Ramsgate next in action:
Tue 9 Apr A East Grinstead Town Isthmian South East 7.30pm
Sat 13 Apr H Cray Valley PM Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 20 Apr A Chichester City Isthmian South East 3pm
For away travel please contact Steve Miller 07508 364101
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