By Darius Sarrafan
Ramsgate fell to an undeserved defeat against Brentwood Town despite dominating for long periods against the table toppers in Essex. Despite a spirited performance that showcased their attacking flair and resilience, the Rams were made to rue missed chances in the end.
Manager Ben Smith made three changes from the side that lost to Welling United in midweek, with Aaron Barnes, Ben Mundele and Lewis Gard all coming into the starting XI. Jerome Binnom-Williams, Ryan Kingsford and Mitchell May all dropped to the bench.
The Rams, buoyed by a passionate and plentiful away following, fought tirelessly and on another day could’ve scored four or five, but Brentwood’s clinical finishing secured a narrow victory.
The match began with Ramsgate asserting early pressure. In the fifth minute, Alfie Paxman’s fierce shot was blocked, leading to a corner. The initial delivery was cleared, but Benny Bioletti’s dangerous cross was snatched by Brentwood keeper Melvin Minter just as Paxman lurked at the back post.
The home side soon pinned the Rams back, though, and on ten minutes they took the lead. A well-worked move down Brentwood’s left culminated in a precise cross, allowing Alejandro Machado a free header to plant the ball into the bottom corner from six yards.
Undeterred, Ramsgate responded with vigor. Just three minutes later, a swift move down the right saw Bioletti cut the ball back for Joe Taylor, who fired over from 12 yards. Brentwood threatened again on 15 minutes with a cross to the back post from Machado, but the chance was squandered as it ended up being just out of the reach of Andy Freeman at the back post.
A minute later, Ramsgate’s goalkeeper Aiden Prall produced a great save to deny Daniel Ogunleye, with Ben Mundele’s heroic header clearing the danger as Freeman looked to head home the rebound.
The Rams hung in there though, and their persistence paid off in the 19th minute when a slick move ended with Paxman’s shot striking the hand of Matt Cripps, earning a penalty. Paxman stepped up and coolly slotted home to level the score at 1-1.
Moments later, Paxman’s corner was glanced just wide by Billy Munday, as Ramsgate pushed for the lead. Brentwood, however, remained dangerous on the counter, with Prall making a remarkable close-range save on the half-hour mark from Fletcher Hubbard to keep the scores level after good work down the right by Charlee Hughes.
Late in the first half, TJ Jadama’s interplay with Taylor led to a deflected shot, and Bioletti’s high press set up Taylor for a low drive, which Minter did superbly well to parry away. The teams went into halftime deadlocked at 1-1.
Ramsgate flew out of the blocks in the second half, with Bioletti blocking a clearance and nearly setting up Taylor for a tap-in, only for Minter to intervene at the last second. The Rams controlled possession, but Brentwood’s resolute defending held firm.
In the 63rd minute, Mundele’s exquisite through ball released Jadama, who was fouled in the box for a second penalty. Paxman, brimming with confidence, took responsibility but saw the spot kick crash against the post, with the ball agonizingly bouncing clear.
The game’s intensity ramped up as Clifford unleashed a dipping 30-yard strike in the 70th minute, forcing a parry from Minter. Taylor pounced on the rebound, only for Minter to recover again and pull off a near impossible save.
Brentwood regained the lead in the 76th minute when Louie Johnson turned sharply in midfield, drove at the defence and rifled a 20-yard strike past Prall. Despite the setback, Ramsgate pushed forward. In the 84th minute, Jadama’s surging run set up Mundele, whose cross found sub Kingsford, but his header drifted wide.
In stoppage time, Jadama’s tenacity earned a chance for Taylor, whose low shot was saved. Though the final whistle confirmed Brentwood’s victory, Ramsgate’s relentless spirit and attacking intent deserved more.
The Rams will look to bounce back this coming Saturday, with Carshalton Athletic the visitors to the WW Martin Community Stadium. Kickoff is at 3pm.
Ramsgate: Prall, Mundele, Barnes (Binnom-Williams), Brown, Clifford, Gard (May), Munday, Jadama, Bioletti (Kingsford), Paxman, Taylor. Subs: Garrett, Todd.
Star man: Lewis Gard
