3rddec04

Youth football flourishing in Ramsgate

FOOTBALL in Ramsgate is flourishing at the moment, with Jim Ward's first team squad sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Go Travel Kent League Premier Division, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ramgate's under eighteen's, however, have gone four better as they sit proudly at the top of the MUSH Kent Youth League Under 18 Southern Division, collecting 23 points from 10 games, six better than Whitstable Town, who have three games in hand.

Last Sunday they won 2-0 at Bearsted in Otham, on a pitch that resembled a mud bath.

The young Rams fought like gladiators against a very young and physical Bearsted side, although expectations were that the referee would call the game off as players and supporters alike struggled to stay on their feet.

Ramsgate just edged the first hour, despite goalmouth action at both ends, and in the 28th minute a corner from Ollie Donohoe deep into the box was met by central defender Emlyn Taylor, whose bullet like header flew over the goalkeeper and into the net.

The score remained 1-0 until the interval, although it could have been two when Ross Howells was denied in a one-on-one with the Bears goalkeeper on the edge of the box.

In the second half, however, Ramsgate upped the pressure and were rewarded with a second goal in the 59th minute.

A scramble inside the penalty box saw captain Kieran Morris prod the ball home from close range.

Manager John Vahid was pleased his side adapted to the conditions to increase their title credentials.

He said: "What a titanic struggle in conditions more suited to mud wrestling than football.

"Bearsted is not the easiest place to come to and get points, and I'm proud of the lads to come away with all three, in a match that should not have been played in such conditions - we certainly matched them stride for stride."

On Sunday (5th December) they travel to Dover Athletic, whilst the under 17's - 7th in the table - host Crockenhill in the Central Division at Southwood Stadium, kicking off at 11:00am.

Meanwhile, the under 14's enjoyed a magnificent seven foray beating Canterbury City 7-0 last Sunday.

They started well and goals from Ben Greenstreet and Jamie Brown took them into the interval with a 2-0 advantage.

But once again, it was their brilliant second half display that pleased their supporters.

Some neat football lead to some brilliant team goals for Danny Atkins, Hayden Allen, Brown and a fine individual goal by Tom Easton, whilst star midfielder Brown went on to complete a memorial hat-trick.

This Sunday, midtable Ramsgate are at home to Herne Bay in the MUSH Kent Youth League under 14 South Division at Clarendon House Playing Fields, kicking off at 11:00am.