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Rams shine on night of darkness

Out of darkness there comes light, and the travelling Ramsgate support were grateful for that last night. An hour and half journey into the Erith corridor on a cold Monday evening is no football fan’s friend, and to be met by the darkness of a floodlight failure and not a sniff of a burger does nothing to lift the spirits. Fortunately that trip won’t be endured again, as 45 minutes after the expected kick off time, the lights were restored.

Erith probably wished they hadn’t as it took Ramsgate just three minutes to take the lead, with Shaun Wellford turning neatly in the box to slot the ball past the ‘keeper for his ninth goal in ten games in the Rams’ colours.

Ramsgate settled into a comfortable dominance at this early stage and a lot of goals might have been expected. However a poor clearance from Twyman in the 11^th minute left Russell free to nip between Morris and Schulz in the Ramsgate defence and slide the ball under the advancing ‘keeper.

Ramsgate maintain their record of no clean sheets ‘away’ in the league, and suddenly were not looking quite so comfortable anymore!

Normal service was soon resumed, however, as the Rams began to control the game again and keep the ball on the ground, playing some neat passing moves.

Ollie Schulz went closest in this period of play, meeting Welford’s long throw his header went just wide of the post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Takaloo restored the Rams’ lead finishing some excellent build up play involving many players and passes.

The game was all but over five minutes before half time, when Takaloo again turned the Erith defence and placed the ball past the stranded Erith ‘keeper.

The Rams played out the second half at a stroll, few chances being created at either end, Takaloo did have one excellent opportunity to complete his hat trick, but screwed his shot just outside the near post.

Erith were reduced to 10 men late on and were lucky to have just one player red carded as their frustration and tempers got the better of a number of them.

The referee saved the best for last when in the closing minutes a sliced defensive clearance spun into Danny Twyman’s hands, and the referee declared it a back pass and duly awarded a free kick. The debacle of a free kick on the six yard line resulted in the usual – nothing, and Erith’s frustration was complete.

The Rams had taken top spot for the first time this season and, with a game in hand on 2^nd place Herne Bay, holding on to it for the last twelve games is the new quest. This continues on Saturday (12^th February) when the Rams play host to fellow title contenders, fourth placed VCD Athletic at Southwood, 3 o’clock kickoff. 

Ramsgate: Danny Twyman, Edd Vahid, Michael Cassar (Robbie Summers), Liam Morris, Ollie Schulz, Shane Suter, Warren Schulz (Ollie Donohoe), Shaun Welford, Mo Takalobighashi, Stuart Vahid.

(Subs not used: Andy Hadden, Simon Pettit, Gavin Smyth).

Go Travel Kent League Premier Division Table (top four)