By Darius Sarrafan
Ramsgate returned to winning ways with a thoroughly deserved 2-1 at Chichester City on Saturday. The Rams had to come from behind after a great strike from Zac Jeanes, but goals from Alfie Paxman and Captain TJ Jadama helped complete the turnaround.
Lee Martin made one change to the side that lost away at St. Albans last weekend, with TQ Addy coming into the side to make his first start for the Rams in place of the suspended Tom Clifford. New signing Mason Hunter was named amongst the substitutes.
Rams goalkeeper Dillon Addai comfortably dealt with a low effort from Isaac Bello in the first minute, before Greg Cundle flashed a cutback right across the face of goal from the right byline. Billy Munday then curled narrowly over the bar as the away side looked to capitalise on their high-intensity start.
Big striker Jimmy Wild placed a shot over the bar for the hosts in the tenth minute, and eight minutes later Chi took the lead somewhat against the run of play. A long throw was cleared as far as Jeanes 25 yards out, and he beat a man before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley that nestled into the back of the net via the left-hand post.
The weather was the winner for the following fifteen minutes, with heavy rain and strong winds playing havoc. This didn’t deter the Rams though, and they were level on 33 minutes after Addy’s fine cross from the right was volleyed home by an unmarked Paxman at the far post to bring his team level.
Ethan Pritchard went over in the box towards the end of the half, but referee Ryan Calver waved play-on and 1-1 was how it stayed at the interval. Rob Hutchins shot over the bar just before the hour before Wild nodded straight at Addai as the Rams looked to be more compact in the early going of the second period.
They always looked a threat on the break though, with Benny Bioletti a willing outlet throughout – and the away side found themselves in front twelve minutes from time. Bioletti and Paxman exchanged passes down the right before the former found Kweku Lucan. The Rams striker squared for an onrushing Jadama, and he poked the ball under keeper Kieran Magee to spark delirium amongst the sizeable away following.
Wild went agonisingly close to an equaliser in stoppage time after his powerful effort just cleared the crossbar, before Bello couldn’t connect cleanly with a golden chance just after. The Rams, led by the imperious Raphe Brown, held on though to move up to ninth in the table.
They are next in action with a home game on Good Friday 3rd April against Cray Valley Paper Mills. Kick off is at 3pm.
Ramsgate: Addai, Bioletti, Lukombo, Gayle, Brown, Paxman, Munday, Jadama, Addy (Ebuzoeme), Cundle, Lucan (Hunter). Sub: Martin.
Star man: Raphe Brown
