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Rams impressive form continues

Jim Ward received notification of his second Manager of the Month award of the season prior to the top of the table clash at Southwood, and his team took just two minutes to show why he been given that accolade. Ollie Schulz’s free kick from near the half way line was too much for the Whitstable ‘keeper to handle, and despite getting his finger tips to the ball he couldn’t prevent the ball going in.

Whitstable had to respond, but resolute defending from the Rams kept them at bay with only Seagar’s free kicks posing any real problems for Danny Twyman in the Ramsgate goal. An equally efficient Whitstable defence ensured the Rams’ best chance fell to Stuart Vahid, whose effort slipped just wide of the post after he had latched onto a through ball from Ricky Spiller and was left with just the ‘keeper to beat.

The Rams started the second half as they had the first, and in a quick break just three minutes after the restart Takaloo doubled the lead when, having collected the ball from Robinson and turning two defenders, he struck low past Arterton.

The Rams really took control now and on 51 minutes Takaloo was unlucky not to add to the tally when he was unable to dig the ball out of the sand in the Whitstable six-yard box, giving Arterton time to smother the chance. Seconds later another Takaloo effort beat the ‘keeper but struck the upright. In an effort to stop the unrelenting pressure, Whitstable Manager Matt Toms came on for Harrision. The Rams couldn’t be stopped though; Aaron Robinson slipped past the Whitstable defence and beat the ‘keeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Thomas. Then on 67 minutes Takaloo ran onto a clearance from the Rams’ defence and, despite some desperate shirt pulling, he ran clear of the retreating defence to fire a sweet volley that bulged the back of the Whitstable net for a third time.

With victory looking certain Jim Ward brought on Neil Davey and Jamie Winch, both returning to the Rams’ line up after spells with other Kent League opponents, whilst Whitstable responded by making two further substitutions of their own. The Rams relaxed their pressure and allowed Whitstable to start getting back into the game, and on 75 minutes the Rams failed to clear their lines and the ever-active Sam Prett was able to stab the ball home in the ensuing goalmouth scramble. Ten minutes later and the Rams defence was breached again, when Matt Toms made a glancing header from a free kick, which soared over Twyman into the top corner to reduce the arrears.

With a nail biting five minutes left on the clock the Rams were reduced to 10 men, when Warren Schulz received a second yellow card for an innocuous challenge, but the Rams continued to defend with resolve and determination. The last real chance of the match fell to Takaloo in the last minute when he found himself one on one with Arterton, but despite beating the ‘keeper his effort rolled wide.

At 3-0 the Rams were top of the League, but those late goals cut back the goal difference and it’s VCD who lead the chasing pack on the same points and goal difference as Ramsgate, but with more goals scored.