By Darius Sarrafan
Two goals in the opening minutes of the second half saw Ramsgate see off Canvey Island for their third successive league win and fourth in all competitions. Lee Martin’s side were rarely trouble by the lowly Gulls, and Joe Taylor and Mitch May bagged the goals to comfortably see the Rams home.
In front of another crowd well in excess of 1000, Martin made several changes to the side that breezed past Ashford United in the league cup, with Aiden Prall, Raphe Brown, TJ Jadama, May and Taylor all restored to the starting XI. 16 year-old midweek hero Liam Tullis was named amongst the substitutes.
It was a somewhat subdued opening to the game, with the Rams feeling their way into the contest from the first whistle. May and Taylor had shots blocked in quick succession, before May headed straight at Canvey goalkeeper Luis Lines in the 12th minute.
Tom Clifford was alert at the far post to touch the ball away from Calum Newson when he looked set to score minutes later as the visitors began to grow into the game. Joe Halsey shot wildly off target for Canvey when well placed, before Ian Gayle headed over the bar before the break.
The opening goal arrived after Alfie Paxman pinged a gorgeous diagonal ball to Taylor on the right side of the box. He took a touch before coolly wrongfooting Lines from 15 yards as he slotted home. May made it 2-0 minutes later after latching onto Ryan Kingsford’s throughball before confidently sliding home a low finish.
Kingsford was denied what looked to be a certain penalty after being brought down by Lines in the box, but somehow referee Simon Finnigan waved play on. Michael Salako had the ball in the back of the net shortly after, but both referee and linesman consulted and adjudged him to have been in an offside position.
Clifford was substituted with a suspected shoulder injury midway through the second half, but they continued to keep the Gulls at bay. Sub Kai Garrett hit the post late on for the Rams, but in truth the game was seen out without much alarm in the end to make it three wins from four in the league for Martin as Rams manager.
The Rams are next in action with a trip to Whitehawk this coming Saturday 29th November. Kick off is at 3pm.
Ramsgate: Prall, Lukombo, Brown, Gayle, Clifford (Garrett), Paxman, Munday, Jadama, Kingsford (Tullis), May (Ajayi), Taylor. Subs: Gard, Wilson.
Star man: TJ Jadama.
