By Duncan Berrington
102 points. Seven clear at the top with four to play.
A manager hitting 100 games in charge.
A crowd of over 1700 attending a gloriously sunny, but equally windy Southwood.
All of these are incredible facts which show the strength of the club on the pitch. From the management to the coaches, not forgetting the incredible support from the terraces. A round of applause for all involved.
Surely the only thing we needed now was a quality game of football…
On Saturday around 5pm, I found myself in a difficult position of my own making having voluntarily inherited a problem. While your trusted regular match reporter has been on a ‘well deserved’ break, I stepped forward to offer my services.
This being my second week, I was confident of my abilities and that I would be able to deliver a thorough, detailed and entertaining summation of Ramsgate’s latest victory over Broadbridge Heath. Despite all of the positives, and there are many to reflect on, I can’t deny the first thought that flashed through my mind following the sound of the final whistle on Saturday was “how on earth am I going to write 1000 words about that?”
The bumper crowd that attended on Saturday afternoon witnessed a vital victory even if it wasn’t a particularly exciting spectacle. The gale that blew across the pitch from minute one was arguably a more formidable foe for both sides than the team they found themselves up against. Several times the ball flew directly out of play from goal kicks, throw ins, and early on in the game blew right back to Roarie Deacon after he attempted to pass forward.
To say this match was somewhat of a non event would frankly, be an insult to events that haven’t happened. A game with only a handful of notable moments was settled in the 20th minute with a moment of quality from the three players involved. Josh Ajayi played a ball into the feet of Joe Taylor who used his formidable strength to hold off his man and play a clever one two with a back heel into Ajayi’s path. Despite being crowded out, Ajayi laid it off to the oncoming Rory Deacon, who found the target, low to goalkeeper Alfie Hadfield’s left.
What would turn out to be the game’s only goal was deserved as up to that point, Ramsgate had been in the team trying to make things happen. They ultimately hadn’t created much before then bar two early shots in quick succession that were well saved by Hadfield.
With most of the play coming down the right hand side, Ajayi and Deacon tried to find the gaps to get through a watertight defence. Several corners resulted, but these went further to show the effect of the day’s weather. Balls into the box were caught in the winds grasp, and made attacking it an almost impossible task. A delivery towards the end of the first half resulted in a scramble around the edge of the six yard box, but the ball found its way into the grateful arms of Hadfield.
Broadbridge Heath, who are in the position of playing out their remaining games without thoughts of relegation nor promotion, felt content to come to Southwood and keep the score low. And to their credit, that’s just what they did. They played with a disciplined low block that was happy to cede possession and threatened very little coming forward.
That’s not to say there weren’t moments, as on 13 minutes a quick counter attack led to a shot from distance sailing over Tom Hadler’s crossbar. In the 34th minute, the impressive Tom Clifford had to have his wits about him to block a smart strike following another quick counter.
The Rams nearly doubled their advantage on 28 minutes when Alfie Paxman fed Taylor, who placed his shot across Hadfield’s goal and onto the base of his left hand post before bouncing clear.
And that was the first half. The referees whistle was greeted with claps but the sizeable Ramsgate support was clearly keen to get out of the relentless gale.
Fans could be forgiven for thinking that the second half would see Ramsgate put their foot on the gas and quickly dispose with their opponents, something that has happened often this season. This was, however, not to be the case.
In 45 minutes of football that must have seen Ramsgate have in excess of 75% of the ball, not a single chance was created. The reality that your humble author took just two notes in the entire half should tell you everything you need to know.
Broadbridge Heath continued to show zero ambition, until around five minutes from full time. Suddenly, they sensed the moment and attempted what would have been a massive sucker-punch. Breaking the pattern of the game caught Ramsgate off guard, and they found themselves looking a little shaky having finally been put on the backfoot.
Deacon challenged for a ball in his own penalty area, and let’s just say that we’ve seen them given. The WW Martin Community Stadium collective let out a huge sigh of relief as the game played through to completion.
This was not an entertaining match, some may even believe it was some form of mass experimental patience testing endurance trial. In a way they would be correct, but you don’t get points for being entertaining.
Ramsgate have entertained in abundance this season, with a scintillating passing game and scoring goals for fun. Fans have been spoilt with the quality of play that has produced stunning moments and results. Sometimes, however, matchups give you a stubborn, well organised opponent who, together with the weather, are determined to make life as difficult as possible.
After all is said and done though, the job got done. Fans understand this, and particularly at this stage of the season when fingers are tightly crossed and bums unbearably squeaky.
The crucial detail, and ultimately the one that matters is that 3 more points were earned and we move one step closer to where we want to be in a few weeks time, which is confirming promotion.
In a match few will remember, the two standout performers were fullbacks Clifford and Deacon. Their driving into the oppositions half looked the only likely route to scoring, and so it proved. For the producing the decisive strike, Deacon is player of the match.
I’ve sat through some pretty torrid football this afternoon, however this is most certainly the exception to the rule. I’ve mostly been fortunate to witness the best football you’ll see at this level, football that stands us on the brink of promotion.
And despite my natural pessimism, Ramsgate marched toward their title goal with another victory, and look at that, I got 1000 words out of it!
Onto Three Bridges next Saturday.
Four more games…
Ramsgate: Hadler, Deacon, Barnes, Leader, Clifford, Martin, Munday, Jadama (Gard), Ajayi (Bioletti), Paxman (Oluwatimilehin), Taylor. Subs: Ellul, Newcombe
Star man: Roarie Deacon.
