By Darius Sarrafan
A five star performance from Ramsgate put the frighteners into Sevenoaks Town, with the Rams running out 5-1 winners at the WW Martin Community Stadium.
The hosts were dominant throughout on a Halloween themed night that saw hundreds of local children attend in fancy dress to create a party atmosphere from the first minute.
Two changes were made to the team that drew 2-2 with Burgess Hill Town on Saturday, with Billy Munday replacing Lewis Gard to make his first start since returning to the club as well as Joe Ellul making his comeback to the starting lineup for Aaron Barnes.
The Rams began the game quickly and were immediately into their stride, looking to make up for Saturday’s slower start. Benny Bioletti forced Oaks keeper Jordan Perrin into a save low to his right five minutes in, before the opening goal arrived in the tenth minute. Ramsgate have carried a real threat from set pieces this season, and it was Lee Martin’s corner that was headed in from close range by Munday to celebrate his second home debut in perfect fashion.
Two minutes later, the Rams had a chance to double their lead when Bioletti’s ball from the right fell to Alfie Paxman, but he could only drag his shot wide. The home side continued to be dominant in possession after this without creating too many chances, with Bioletti having a shot deflected wide before Sevenoaks created their first chance on 32 minutes. The ball was played in from the right to Ayomide Majekodunmi, but his low shot was well saved by Tom Hadler.
Less than a minute later, the Rams doubled their lead. Great pressing high up the pitch by TJ Jadama forced an errant pass from Sammie McLeod, which was intercepted by Paxman. He made no mistake and finished low into the corner to make it 2-0. The away side carried a threat on the break, and they used this to their advantage to reduce the arrears in the 43rd minute. A clearance from the back found Jefferson Aibangbee in space on the right, and he cut inside Joe Ellul to finish past Hadler into the far corner.
Less than a minute later, however, the Rams’ two goal lead was restored. A ball from the left by Paxman was left by the Sevenoaks defence, and Bioletti was alert as ever to pounce and round Perrin before slotting home from a tight angle. 3-1 was the score at the interval after another entertaining first half.
Straight from the restart, Ramsgate looked to continue where they left off from the first half. Joe Taylor laid the ball off to Martin, and the midfielder was unlucky to see his first time left footed shot go narrowly wide. Five minutes later and the Rams were awarded a penalty after more excellent high pressing by Jadama saw him win the ball back, before being brought down by Ryan Sawyer. Up stepped Taylor, but unfortunately his effort was sent over the crossbar.
Ramsgate didn’t have to wait long for their fourth goal though, as it arrived three minutes later. Martin hung in another set piece delivery which was superbly headed into the bottom right corner of Perrin’s goal by Jadama from fifteen yards. The game fell into a bit of a lull at this point, with not many chances falling to either team. Sevenoaks looked to find a way back into the game, but found the Rams defence in a stubborn mood.
Ramsgate thought they had a fifth goal after 79 minutes after another Lee Martin corner was headed towards goal by Ellul. Taylor got the final touch on the way through into the back of the net, however he was adjudged to be offside by the linesman. Five minutes later and the Rams did have their fifth goal. Sub Josh Ajayi played the ball in front the right to Taylor, and he laid the ball off for Paxman to finish into the bottom right corner beyond Perrin.
There was time for a Ramsgate debut for Kai Garrett late on, but 5-1 was how the game finished on a special night under the lights – where the community came out in force during half term week. The Rams are next in action this coming Saturday, when they make to trip to Eastbourne Town.
Ramsgate: Hadler, Judd (Deacon), Ellul (Garrett), Leader, Clifford, Munday, Martin, Jadama, Bioletti (Ajayi), Paxman, Taylor. Subs: Barnes, Gard.
