AFC Sudbury 0-0 Ramsgate (Rams won 5-4 on pens) - Hero Wilkerson saves his best for last

RAMSGATE won the Ryman League Cup for the very first time in their history, beating AFC Sudbury 5-4 on penalties after 120 minutes of football didn’t produce a goal.

Click here for our LIVE COVERAGE of the game.

AFC SUDBURY 0-0 RAMSGATE
(Ramsgate won 5-4 on penalties)
Ryman League Cup Final
Wednesday 2^nd April 2008
Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park Stadium

RAMSGATE won the Ryman League Cup for the very first time in their history, beating AFC Sudbury 5-4 on penalties, after no goals were scored after 120 minutes of football.

Stuart Vahid thumped home the fifth and decisive penalty high into the net after Rams goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson had dived low to his left to keep out Sudbury full-back Shane Wardley’s spot-kick.

Before that, however, Sudbury had scored through David Head (via the underside of the crossbar); Matty Clements, Gareth Heath; Stuart Boardley before Wardley’s costly miss.

Ramsgate’s heroic penalty takers were Dan Dolton; skipper Warren Schulz; Ollie Schulz, Lee Minshull and Vahid.

It’s the first time a Kent club have lifted the Ryman League Cup.

Read all the drama here.

WHAT A NIGHT FOR KENTISH FOOTBALL

This rates as one of those fantastic nights for Kent football. Earlier in the season Tonbridge Angels knocked out giants Oxford United in the first round of the FA Trophy and Ebbsfleet United upset Aldershot Town 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Well done to everybody connected with Ramsgate Football Club on tonight’s glory.

Let’s hope we’re celebrating again this month with Dover Athletic and Dartford winning their respective titles and of course the Fleet beating Torquay United at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy Final on 10^th May.

LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Chants of “Red Army” are heard as Ramsgate fans celebrate tonight’s Ryman League Cup success. www.kentishfootball.co.uk interview proud chairman Richard Lawson, standing beside the perimeter fence. Luckily he can be heard over the cheering. Manager Jim Ward wanted to go into the changing rooms before being interviewed. Jim and his younger brother Danny, holding the trophy, emerge and Mike Green (BBC Radio Kent) interviews Jim beside the away dug-out, whilst www.kentishfootball.co.uk speak to Danny.

CUP WINNERS

Rams skipper Warren Schulz accepts the Ryman League Cup from League chairman Mr Alan Turvey and holds it proudly high above his head to the delight of team-mates, officials and supporters.

PRESSURE PENALTY

Ramsgate are the 2008 holders of the Ryman League Cup winning 5-4 on penalties as striker Stuart Vahid lashes the ball high into the net to spark celebratory scenes, breaking AFC Sudbury’s hearts.

NERVOUS WARDLEY MISSES

Ramsgate have one hand on the trophy as Sudbury’s full-back Shane Wardley takes a nervous walk towards the penalty spot and can only look on in horror as Wilkerson guesses the right way and dives low to his left to save.

ROCKET FROM MINSHULL

Lee Minshull takes a long run up to get enough power to smash his penalty into the net with Munson rooted to the spot - 4-4

CLINICAL BOARDLEY

Stuart Boardley steps up to smack a confident penalty past Wilkerson, who dived the other way.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Ollie Schulz makes it 3-3 when he sends Munson the wrong way, as his penalty finds the bottom left-hand corner.

HEATH MAKES IT 3-2

Sudbury’s Gareth Heath rolls his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner as Wilkerson dives the other way.

CAPTAIN LEVELS

Ramsgate skipper Warren Schulz lashes his right-footed penalty into the top right-hand corner.

COOL CLEMENTS

Sudbury substitute Matty Clements’ sends his right-footed penalty low, just left of centre.

DOLTON DOES IT

Ramsgate substitute Dan Dolton sends goalkeeper Munson the wrong way with a cool left-footed spot kick.

SUDBURY GO FIRST AND SCORE

David Head is relieved to see his well struck right-footed penalty bounce over the goal-line after crashing in off the underside of the crossbar.

SO IT’S DOWN TO PENALTIES

The Ryman League Cup Final is being settled by penalties as no goals were scored after 120 minutes. The penalties will be taken towards the Ramsgate fans at the Plaza end of Princes Park.

117 MINUTES

Sudbury dangerman Heath broke down the right-hand side, he laid the ball off to Matty Clements on the edge of the box whose swept cross fell to substitute Hammond, whose right-footed shot was brilliantly saved by the legs of Wilkerson who fell gratefully on the ball as it bounced away.

STILL GOAL-LESS WITH JUST 15 MINUTES OF EXTRA TIME REMAINING

COMMENT FROM BBC RADIO KENT’S MIKE GREEN

“It’s become a bit feisty and if honest I thought referee McLaughlin got the Schulz/Hammond incident completely wrong. Yes, the Ramsgate man deserved a card but from my position, Hammond clearly threw an arm in the direction of the Ramsgate man - without doubt the clearest retaliation I for one has seen all season.”

103 MINUTES - FLASHPOINT

Sudbury substitute Luke Hammond escapes any punishment after clashing with Warren Schulz following the Ramsgate’s skipper crude sliding tackle on Hammond. Referee Matthew McLaughlin rightly booked Schulz for the challenge but overlooked the retaliation by Hammond.

93 MINUTES

A little chipped cross from the left-hand side by Rams Minshull fell beautifully for Warren Schulz, whose right-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area screwed agonisingly past the foot of the right upright.

COMMENT FROM BBC RADIO KENT’S MIKE GREEN

“In truth it’s a game that’s had extra time written all over it for an awful long time. It hasn’t been the worst Cup Final I’ve ever seen but I am disappointed as I think the Ward’s will be with the amount of chances that Sudbury have had. The change of formation has helped Ramsgate and I still think that the Cup will be coming to Kent for the first time.”

EXTRA TIME NEEDED:

The game goes into extra time as both sides can’t find a goal inside 90 minutes.

INJURY TIME

Sudbury’s Boardley drills a left-footed shot wide of the left-post as this game looks like it’s heading for extra-time.

89 MINUTES

A long range shot from left-back Shane Wardley sails high over the Ramsgate crossbar.

88 MINUTES

A long Ramsgate throw into the penalty area was headed clear to Warren Schulz, whose long range shot sailed became the latest ball to leave the Princes Park arena.

85 MINUTES

Good interplay from the two wingers, Dolton and Minshull saw Dolton drill a low left-footed cross in at the near post where the ball deflected off Vahid into the grateful arms of Munson.

81 MINUTES

Rams boss Jim Ward, underneath the press box here at Princes Park, tells his side to raise the tempo.

77 MINUTES

Now it’s Ramsgate turn to crash a shot against the crossbar. Lee Minshull drove at the Sudbury defence before being forced across the penalty area, he laid the ball off to Andy Hadden, whose curling shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Munson.

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has changed formation to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Dan Dolton, as Mike Green predicted earlier.

71 MINUTES

Sudbury’s best chance of date comes from a long throw from the left, which was allowed to bounce through the Rams penalty area before David Head looped his header against Wilkerson’s crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

COMMENT FROM BBC RADIO KENT'S MIKE GREEN

“Sudbury have come out of the blocks quicker in the second half but every time the Rams have gone forward they have worked the Sudbury keeper. There’s some tinkering going on, on the Ramsgate bench down in front of us and there’s still plenty to play for.”

67 MINUTES

A through ball by Warren Schulz saw Vahid break into the Sudbury penalty area and his low shot from an acute angle was saved by Munson at the near post.

ATTENDANCE

Tonight’s crowd has just been announced - 568. Both sets of fans’ should be pleased with the excellent vocal support that they’ve given their sides at Princes Park tonight.

65 MINUTES

Another chance for Sudbury goes begging. A dangerous cross into the heart of the Rams defence by Boardley saw defender David Head blast high and wide from ten-yards.

62 MINUTES

The best chance of the match so far falls to Sudbury. A ball into the penalty area was picked up by forward Bethell, whose snap shot, after he turned Davis, was beaten out by Wilkerson, only for Heath to send a bullet header just over the crossbar, missing an open goal as the goalkeeper was grounded.

60 MINUTES

A long ball from Rams defender Ollie Schulz saw Vahid’s flicked header saved comfortably by the Sudbury stopper.

56 MINUTES

A cross from Sudbury’s Heath was scrambled clear by the Ramsgate defence, the ball fell to Boardley, who was disgusted with himself as he shot flew over Wilkerson’s crossbar and into the Sudbury fans.

54 MINUTES

Warren Schulz’s shot deflects off Sudbury’s Hughes and goalkeeper Munson makes a comfortable save at chest height.

53 MINUTES

A ball down the inside right of the Ramsgate defence saw Darren Bethell take the ball around Wilkerson and his cut back from the by-line was turned away for a corner by Ashley Burton.

OTHER CUP FINALS INVOLVING KENT SIDES

The next Cup Final here in the Garden of England is next Thursday, 10^th April at Sevenoaks Town’s Greatness Park, the Kent Women’s Cup Final between Millwall and Ebbsfleet United.

And Gary Hillman, the Cray Wanderers chairman, has just told us that the Kent Senior Cup final has been pencilled in for May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 5^th May at Hayes Lane. Cray Wanderers, destined for the play-off’s in the Ryman League Division One South, lock horns with Wembley bound Ebbsfleet United, five days before the Fleet meet Torquay United in the FA Trophy Final.

HALF TIME CHANGE

Sudbury’s right-back Driver fails to reappear for the second half after lengthy treatment during the break and is replaced by Chris Tracey.

SMILE! YOU’RE ON CAMERA

Tonight’s Ryman League Cup Final is being recorded and fans can purchase copies at £10 each from the club shops at AFC Sudbury and Ramsgate.

HALF TIME: AFC SUDBURY 0-0 RAMSGATE

An even first half has seen both goalkeepers coming to their side’s rescue in the misty rain at Princes Park.

HALF TIME REACTION FROM BBC RADIO KENT’S MIKE GREEN

“A strange sort of first half, Sudbury flattered to deceive going forward but the Rams - it’s a typical 45 minutes from a Jimmy Ward side. They’ve hustled well but I’m a little surprised they haven’t got forward a bit quicker. That said, when Stuart Vahid has been fed the ball, he’s looked a handful and Warren Schulz has had a couple of sighters. All in all, a blank scoreline is about right but I do think the Wards will be slightly the happier because they know their side can improve in the second half.”

44 MINUTES

A deep corner from the right by Warren Schulz was controlled on the back post by Davis and the defender’s right-footed shot was smothered by Munson, who was quickly off his line.

42 MINUTES

A quick ball down the inside left channel was latched onto by Heath, whose left-footed lob from sixteen-yards flew just over the Ramsgate crossbar.

37 MINUTES

Wilkerson pulls off the first real save of the match to prevent Heath scoring with a right-footed drive from ten-yards after the Suffolk side played the ball over the top of the Rams defence. The experienced goalkeeper stood tall to flick the ball over the crossbar.

33 MINUTES

A poor back-pass from Nick Davis and a hasty left-footed clearance from Rams keeper Wilkerson saw Broadley left free 25-yards out but his weak lob went straight back to Wilkerson.

32 MINUTES

Another shot from Warren Schulz, taken right-footed, from 20-yards, sails into the vocal Sudbury fans behind the goal.

29 MINUTES

The first booking arrives for Sudbury skipper David Head for a strong challenge on Rams skipper Warren Schulz. The resulting free-kick from Warren Schulz, from 25-yards, sailed just over the crossbar.

28 MINUTES

Ramsgate’s best chance. Dean Hill played the ball over the top of Sudbury’s defence and Vahid latched onto the pass. Once he evaded Kevin Hughes’ challenge, the Ramsgate striker’s right-footed lob dropped inside the six-yard box and the Suffolk side were able to clear.

25 MINUTES

A right-footed drive from Ramsgate’s midfielder Andy Hadden takes a deflection but Sudbury goalkeeper Nathan Munson makes a comfortable low save to his left.

22 MINUTES

Sudbury’s Heath drove towards the Rams defence and unleashed a rising left-footed drive from thirty-yards that Wilkerson watched sail over his bar.

21 MINUTES

Ramsgate goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson is forced to back peddle to pluck Sheridan Driver’s whipped in right-footed hanging cross from the right.

13 MINUTES

The first ball sails out of the stadium, thanks to Sudbury’s left-sided winger, Boardley.

9 MINUTES

Former Gillingham skipper Paul Smith goes close to opening the scoring for Sudbury, poking a right-footed volley just over from eight-yards, following Heath’s free-kick from the left-flank.

8 MINUTES

Pin-ball in the Sudbury penalty area and Stuart Vahid is just unable to turn the ball home.

7 MINUTES

A break from Sudbury’s Stuart Boardley down the left resulted in a low cross into Gareth Heath, whose left-footed shot bounced into the grateful arms of Paul Wilkerson, via a fine block from Dan Tanner.

6 MINUTES

AFC Sudbury’s Simon Head’s left-footed shot loops over Ramsgate’s far-post from the corner of the six-yard box.

3 MINUTES

Ramsgate force a couple of early corners, both sets of fans’ are very vocal.

KICK OFF

Ramsgate wearing gold numbers on their new darker than normal red shirts and get the game underway.

19:35

As the misty rain descends over Princes Park, both sides come onto the field for the official presentation. Both sets of fans’ are in good voice.

POOR INTERNET CONNECTION

Sadly, we lost our internet connection as the game started.

19:25

Both sides are now in the sanctuary of the dressing rooms as both managers give their final instructions.

19:15

There are two Ramsgate flags proudly positioned behind the goal that their players are warming up.

19:10

Robbie Williams’ “Let me entertain you” blares out from the public address system. This has a makings off a classic Cup Final. Let’s hope as many fans make it here tonight. Admission prices are £9 (adults) and £5 (concessions).

19:05

Ramsgate’s assistant Danny Ward is seen with an official Ryman team-sheet in his hands. We shall bring you both team line-ups as soon as we receive details.

19:00

AFC Sudbury lost on their last visit to Princes Park Stadium when Dartford’s Adam Flanagan scored the only goal of the clash between the two table-topping sides back on 22 September 2007.

As mentioned earlier, this is Ramsgate’s first ever visit here, but the Suffolk side did knock Jim Ward’s men out of the FA Trophy last season.

18:55

The rain is starting to fall here in Dartford, which will help the hard playing surface at the stadium. Players start jogging out of the players’ tunnel for their pre-match warm-ups. Remember the Rams will be wearing a brand new kit, especially for this final.

18:48

It appears that the AFC Sudbury contingent are going to get behind their heroes vocally tonight.

18:45

The floodlights come on at Princes Park, although grey skies are above, this has a making’s of a great Cup Final - Kent support for the Rams is most welcome. There were even comments on the Margate fans’ forum wishing their Thanet neighbours luck against the Yellows tonight!

18:40

Ramsgate’s management team of Jim and Danny Ward are now out on the pitch as early-bird supporters start making their way into the £6.5m Princes Park Stadium.

18:30

Both sides start entering the field of play. AFC Sudbury’s players are wearing their dark blue tracksuits, while the Rams are adopting a casual approach to their first Ryman League Cup final.

PRINCES PARK WELCOME AFC SUDBURY AND RAMSGATE

AFC SUDBURY are currently giving Dartford a run for their money in the Ryman League Division One North.

The Suffolk side are only six points behind table-topping Darts, with two games in hand, and Darts boss Tony Burman knows his side must win their remaining four games to clinch the title.

Ramsgate, meanwhile, play in the Ryman Premier League and travel to a Chelmsford City side that only need a point to secure the title.

The Rams, however, do have aspirations to secure a place in the promotion play-off’s and are only one point - and one place - behind fifth placed side Horsham.

LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEWS!

Supporters can let us know their views on how tonight’s Ryman League Cup Final here at Princes Park is going. All you have to do is click on CONTACT US and let us know your name, the team you support and your brief message.

FIVE HOURS TO GO!

A CROWD of over a thousand is expected at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium for this Ryman League Cup Final between AFC Sudbury and Ramsgate.

For those fans that are unable to make it to Dartford’s £6.5m Stadium, www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE upon our arrival at the ground and shall bring you the team news - and match progress - as it happens*

Admission prices have been confirmed as being £9 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £1 (under 14s).

NEW KIT FOR RAMS

Ramsgate will be wearing a new kit for tonight’s Ryman League Cup Final. Now is the time to purchase one of a very limited number of these special one-off commemorative shirts. To get yours telephone Steve on 07977 453 775.

SPONSOR OUR COVERAGE

To sponsor our coverage please contact editor Stephen McCartney on 07979 418 360.

AFC Sudbury: Nathan Munson, Sheridan Driver (Chris Tracey 45), Shane Wardley, Paul Smith, Kevin Hughes, David Head, Gareth Heath, Simon Head (Matty Clements 87), Gareth Simpson, Darren Bethell (Luke Hammond 98), Stuart Boardley.
Subs: Nicky Smith, Danny Stokes

Booked: David Head 29

Ramsgate: Paul Wilkerson, Ashley Burton, Dean Hill, Nick Davis, Ollie Schulz, Dan Tanner (Dan Dolton 76), Andy Hadden, Warren Schulz, Lee Minshull, Stuart Vahid, Ben Laslett.
Subs: Lenny Piper, Aaron Firth, Steve Martin, Shaun Alliston.

Booked: Warren Schulz 105, Stuart Vahid 115

Attendance: 568
Referee: Mr Matthew McLaughlin (Luton, Bedfordshire)
Assistants: Mr Paul Kelly (Gillingham, Kent) & Mr Charles Breakspear (Walton-on-Thames, Surrey)
Fourth Official: Mr Carl Berry (Cheam, Surrey)