By Darius Sarrafan
Ramsgate made it an eighth win in a row in all competitions to continue their perfect start to the season by routing Ashford United 4-0 at the WW Martin Community Stadium. The Rams made five changes to the side that beat Sheppey United in the FA Trophy at the weekend – with Myles Judd, Tom Clifford, Lewis Gard, Alfie Paxman and Joe Taylor all starting.
The game began in somewhat cagey fashion, with the home side enjoying plenty of possession but the away side looking to break directly with pace – one counter resulting in an early booking for Joe Ellul as he fouled Louis Collins.
The first goal of the game arrived after 14 minutes, and it was the Rams that took the lead. A delightful clipped ball from Gard found TJ Jadama in space on the right side of the box, and his ball in was cleared out to Roarie Deacon, who smashed home from 22 yards with a rasping first time drive.
The visitors responded well and upped the intensity in search of an equaliser, with Collins and Gary Lockyer leading the line. A lightning counter found Lockyer running towards goal, however his theatrical fall when challenged by Tom Hadler resulted in the referee issuing a yellow card for simulation, much to the dismay of the Ashford bench.
Jadama sidefooted just wide for the hosts before Mikey Berry then had two chances to level for Ashford, firstly blazing over from a corner before forcing Hadler into an excellent one handed save from a low shot. The interval arrived with the home side still maintaining their 1-0 advantage.
A blistering start to the second half saw the Rams put the game to bed within 14 minutes of the restart. Benny Bioletti had a shot blocked for a corner, which was delivered by Deacon right onto the head of half time substitute Aaron Barnes (for Ellul), who arrowed a header in to the back of the net on 47 minutes to put Ramsgate 2-0 up.
Six minutes later and the trick was repeated – this time Jay Leader with the towering header from another Deacon corner to make it 3-0. Only three more minutes had elapsed before the home side made it 4-0 on 59 minutes. Barnes’ clipped ball over the top found Bioletti, and his shot was diverted into the path of Taylor, who found the roof of the net for his 11th goal of the season.
Ashford were shellshocked – and the Rams had yet another blistering second half spell to add to their impressive resumé so far this season. The visitors went looking for a consolation, with Collins forcing Hadler into a fine save after 67 minutes. The hosts were then denied a fifth goal on 74 minutes when a long distance shot was parried by Ashford goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney out to Barnes, only for the linesman’s flag to deny him a second.
As the heavens opened and the wind howled, the game fizzled out as the hosts wound down the clock to seal another convincing home victory. Ramsgate are back in FA Cup action this coming Saturday 14th September at home to Broadbridge Heath.
Ramsgate: Hadler, Judd (Ajayi), Clifford, Ellul (Barnes), Leader, Clifford, Deacon (Carlse), Gard (Elito), Jadama, Bioletti, Paxman (Walters), Taylor.
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