By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Photos and video John Emmins
Ramsgate 2 Cray Valley PM 2
Jordan Green (85) Kyrell Lisbie (41)
Alfie Paxman (90+7) Freddie Parker (55)
A lovely sunny day at the WW Martin Community stadium, as table topping Rams host level on points Cray Valley who bring a 100% away record and sit just one goal behind the Rams.
The game is attended by a massive crowd of 2,563 fans, the highest home league attendance since 1961 and also the 10th highest non-league attendance in the country this weekend.
Rams attacking the airport end as the game gets underway, the early play all in the Rams half as they keep giving the ball away. Both sides are looking a little nervy, but Cray have settled a little quicker.
An eighth minute attack sees Cray have the first shot on goal as Matthew Vigor fires from range Tom Hadler down for an easy save.
Rams now looking forward, a long ball played up for Joe Taylor, he goes through but is unable to get a shot away as the ball bounces up on the 3G surface. As Rams continue to build Matty Warren plays an exceptional ball forward, Taylor flicks it on for Alfie Paxman on the run, but Arthur Lee is there to break up the attack.
Quarter of an hour in the game seems fairly open, with two sides now settled and both like to pass. Cray pass out from the back, a great move down the right leading to a free kick on the edge of the Rams penalty area. Barney Williams tries his luck but hits the Rams wall that stood firm.
As Rams attack again, Jordan Green getting a ball in for Taylor with back to goal, he lays the ball off for Alfie Paxman, there are three defenders surrounding him immediately, he does however manage to get a corner. Alex Brevo up from the back for the corner, he heads toward goal, the ball cleared to the edge of the Cray box, a shot comes in narrowly wide.
Rams now showing their attacking prowess, as we approach the half hour mark a good chance for Taylor, then a free kick about thirty yards out fired in by Lee Martin but cleared at the back post.
Forty first, a punt up field from Cray Keeper Max Ovenden, a missed defensive header allows Kyrell Lisbie too much space in behind the Rams back line, his route to goal wide open, he takes a couple of strides toward Hadler before placing he ball with some skill into the back of the Rams net, moving Cray three points ahead.
Cray now with their foot on the gas win a corner, even Taylor is back and wins the header to clear, Rams are hanging in as they give the ball away again just before the half time break. Lisbie gifted another chance, this time he’s unable to convert.
I feel the whistle has come just at the right time, it will give the Rams the chance to re-group.
Rams get us going for the second half, the large crowd predominantly gathered at the Town end, now possibly as tense as the game has become.
Cray move the ball quickly forward playing a pass over the Rams defensive line for Lisbie to chase, getting to the ball he keeps it in play beating Jack Paxman, he plays a perfect cross for his strike partner Freddie Parker, running across the line he has a near post tap in to finish a super Cray move.
Sixtieth, Cray make a change with Sonny Black going off and Lyle Della-Verde coming on to protect the Cray advantage.
Rams go for a triple substitution in response replacing Jack Parter, Matty Warren and Jack Paxman with attacking players Joe Turner, Bode Anidugbe and Benny Bioletti.
The game needing to settle after all the changes, although Cray do make another taking Freddie Parker off and bringing Adam Coombes on.
Sixty ninth, Lisbie goes through again breaking the Rams line, he forces an excellent save with his feet from Hadler to keep Rams hopes alive.
As Rams now look to press as Cray sit back more to protect their lead, the crowd can sense that things are brewing as Bioletti chases down a long ball, beats the defender, crosses superbly for Turner who’s strike is over the bar. Bioletti again down the right, another excellent cross for Turner again its over the bar but Rams really are putting Cray to the sword.
Seventy seventh, Cray’s final change as Lisbie is taken off for Denzel Gayle to bolster the Cray midfield, looks like they are settling for the two goals.
Rams have other ideas though as Lee Martin works a little bit of magic on the right, crosses over for Green, he takes a touch, drops a shoulder and shoots, there’s far too much power for Ovenden to get anywhere near it as Rams pull one back. It’s going to be a barnstorming finale.
The referee indicates eight additional minutes for Rams to be able to move the title race to another week.
With what feels like an eternity and just seconds left, Rams mount an attack. Rams play the ball into the Cray box, passed out to Bioletti on the right wing, yet another perfect cross as the ball comes right through toward the left-hand post.
Alfie Paxman sees his chance dashes through and slots home the equaliser and the Rams comeback. They have shown some real fight and the crowd have played their part and are ecstatic.
The game still has one last chance as Cray win a corner fired over toward the back post, the header on target is wonderfully tipped over by Hadler and the points are shared. Cray do have a game in hand, but it looks like the league will go to the wire.
A thoroughly entertaining game!
Attendance: 2563
RFSA player of the match: Tijan Jadama
The Teams
Ramsgate: 1Tom Hadler, 3Jack Parter, 4Alex Brefo, 15Lee Martin, 8Jack A Paxman, 9Joe Taylor, 10Jordan Green, 11Alfie Paxman, 12Matthew Attenborough-Warren, 18Sinnkaye Christie, 20Tijan Jadama
Subs: 6Bode Anidugbe, 5Craig Stone, 7Benny Bioletti, 14Medy Elito, 19Joe Turner
Cray Valley PM: 1Max Ovenden, 2Barney Williams, 5Mohammed Idris Oshilaya, 4Arthur Lee, 8Sonny Black, 9Freddie Parker, 11Michael Ademiluyi, 17Kyrell Lisbie , 18Danny Waldren, 19Clement Asiedu, 16Matthew Vigor, 7Denzel Gayle
Subs: 20Lyle Della-Verde, 14Marcel Barrington, 3Thomas Chambers, 10Adam Coombes
Ramsgate next in action:
Sat 20 Apr A Chichester City Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 27 Apr H Three Bridges Isthmian South East 3pm
For away travel please contact Steve Miller 07508 364101
