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Takaloo's double sinks Sidley

Ramsgate 3-1 Sidley United (att: 95)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 23 September 2003
Stephen Redford reports from Southwood Stadium

Ramsgate completely dominated this replay to move into a first round proper tie with fellow Kent League side Beckenham Town.

Ramsgate pushed forward from the start, never allowing Sidley United's defence to settle, early efforts from Mo Takaloo and Aaron Robinson set the scene for the match. Robinson did have the ball in the net on 9 minutes but his close
range effort was disallowed for a hand ball.

On 14 minutes Robinson again found space from a Takaloo through ball but with just Poole in the Sidley goal to beat, he sliced his effort wide. 15 minutes later roles were reversed, Robinson's touch on reaching Takaloo, his turn left the defender wrong footed and he forced the ball under the Sidley keeper to give the Rams a well deserved lead.

Sidley rallied a little but could create no clear cut chances, Liam Morris, Roy Guiver and John Ovard in the heart of the Rams defence could not be breached, and the Rams took control again. Shane Sutter and Simon Petit used the width to
great advantage to give the front two numerous chances. With the midfield trio of Tony Ritravato, Vinny Woolford and James Gregory following up play was concentrated in the Sidley half for the remainder of the half. Danny Twyman in
the Rams goal had become a virtual spectator.

Ramsgate would have expected to be put under more pressure in the opening minutes of the second period, but none came and Ramsgate were allowed to continue to pressure the Sidley goal. Efforts continued to be created, free
kicks from Sutter and Ovard just missing the target, Takaloo and Robinson forced corner after corner as their attempt were blocked.

The only surprise when Ramsgate doubled their lead was that the goal didn't come from one of the front men. Instead James Gregory, who had brought the tie back to Southwood with a magnificent goal from the half way line on Saturday,
scored from fully 25 yards. His pile driver into the right hand corner of the net left the keeper stunned.

The game was put well out of Sidley's reach just 6 minutes later when Takaloo latched onto a loose ball following another Ramsgate corner to tap home from close range.

With around 20 minutes to go the game was over and the Rams began to ease off, thereby allowing Sidley some room to manoeuvre.  Their attacks lacked conviction and no great threat was created, but their persistence was rewarded in the 85th minute. An innocuous challenge from Guiver was adjudged to be illegal and Mark Freeman gratefully accepted the opportunity to gain some consolation from the ensuing spot kick.

That was the only blemish on an excellent all round performance from a Rams side without some of its regular starters. A well deserved 3-1 victory, a place in the first round proper and at last a home game for the loyal supporters.

Ramsgate: Twyman, Petit, Gregory, Ovard, Guiver, Morris, V. Woolford, Ritrovato, Robinson, Takaloo, Sutter. Subs: Robertson, Goodban, Williams, Brown, Bosson.
 
Sidley: Poole, O. Ball, Day, Smith, Maplesden, Copley, Watson, M. Ball, Carey, Funnell, Freeman. Subs: Dadswell, Hertiage, Money, Duffell.