By Darius Sarrafan
Photo: AT Photography
Ramsgate stamped their authority on a spirited Deal Town side to come away 4-2 winners from a highly entertaining local derby at The Charles Ground.
The Rams made one change from the team that beat Sittingbourne by the same scoreline, with Tom Clifford coming in for Roarie Deacon, and they started well in the sunshine, with Alfie Paxman curling a free kick just wide of keeper Adam Molloy’s goal and Benny Bioletti firing narrowly off target shortly after.
The visitors, however, grew in to the game and took the lead on 23 minutes following a period of pressure. A free kick from Macauley Murray was curled in to the box for Ben Chapman to turn home and leave the Rams staring at a deficit for the second game in a row.
Moments later and the hosts were awarded a penalty when Jay Leader was adjudged to have fouled Chapman in the box. Former Ram Jack Paxman stepped up to take the spot kick, but he could only screw his effort wide of Tom Hadler’s goal. Shortly afterwards Tom Carlse did superbly to clear a Deal header off the line as the hosts pushed for a second.
The visitors pushed for a way back in to the game, with Joe Ellul going close from range and Joe Taylor firing just over from inside the box following good work from TJ Jadama. The Rams found their equaliser on the stroke of half time, with Jadama’s superb run in to the box being unfairly stopped by Alex Green for a clear penalty. Up stepped Taylor to send Malloy the wrong way and to send the visitors in to the interval level at 1-1.
A half time substitution was made as Josh Ajayi came on for Bioletti, and a blistering start to the half got its just rewards as the Rams soon hit the front on 50 minutes. Jadama was again in the thick of the action, winning the ball back on the edge of the Deal box before firing home in front of the hoards of away fans packed behind the goal.
The hosts were quickly level, however, as a quick counter attack resulted in Wes Hennessey’s cross being turned in by Tom Chapman after 55 minutes. Two minutes later and Paxman hit the bar directly from a Ramsgate corner, and the visitors resumed their dominance in search of a third goal.
Aaron Barnes then fired wide before the lead was restored on 70 minutes. Roarie Deacon, who had just come on for Barnes, rolled the ball in to Taylor’s path in the box, and the Rams goal machine expertly turned his man before firing home to make it 3-2.
The away side went looking for a crucial fourth goal to seal it, with both Taylor and TT Walters, on for Tom Carlse, going close afterwards. The Rams made the points safe in stoppage time, with Jadama again being fouled in the box and a penalty being awarded. Taylor confidently sent Molloy the wrong way again to complete yet another hat-trick and send the visiting fans home happy.
Rams are next in action this coming Saturday 31st August, with a big FA Cup tie at home to Folkestone Invicta, followed by another home game against Hythe Town on Tuesday 3rd September also at the WW Martin Community Stadium.
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