Hendon 0-0 Ramsgate - Ward pleased with his capital gains

HENDON 0-0 RAMSGATE
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 25^th September 2007
Stephen McCartney reports from Claremont Road

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward was pleased after his side picked up four points in north-west London from their last two games.

Saturday’s 2-1 win at Wealdstone was followed by a hard-fought goal-less stalemate at Hendon, the current surprise leaders of the Ryman Premier League.

The hosts finished the game with ten-men as James Busby was shown his second yellow card with just six minutes remaining.

Ramsgate would have climbed two places to top spot had they won at Claremont Road tonight, but had to settle for a point, and now drop into fourth place behind Hendon, Horsham and Chelmsford City, after nine games apiece.

Without full-back Ashley Burton, whose moved to University in Portsmouth, Ward was still without Andy Hadden (ankle) and Ollie Schulz for this top-of-the-table clash, that lacked clinical finishing.

Despite having plenty of possession, league leaders Hendon failed to trouble Paul Wilkerson in the Ramsgate goal, but the Thanet side had the better chances of a tight affair.

Hendon had already beaten Kent sides Tonbridge Angels (3-2), Maidstone United (2-1) and Margate (2-0) already this season.

Ben Laslett and Michael Phillips, who were drafted back into the starting eleven tonight, combined to set up a good Ramsgate chance after 22 minutes.

Laslett’s square pass allowed Phillips to unleash a right-footed drive from thirty-yards, which was beaten out by Hendon goalkeeper, Richard Wilmot, making a smart low save to his right.

Another chance, however, fell Ramsgate’s way four minutes later when Sam Vallance’s free-kick from midfield was knocked down to Sean Welford, whose left-footed angled drive arrowed over the bar.

Hendon played some good football at times, with four-goal striker, Brian Haule tormenting the Rams defence throughout - and he earnt praise from Ward afterwards.

“The number nine, I think for me, can’t remember the boys name, but he’s as good a centre forward in this league,” Ward said to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Hendon, restricted to just a couple of first-half chances, should have broken the deadlock seven minutes before half-time.

Dean Green’s angled cross from right to left found impressive left-sided winger Wayne O’Sullivan at the far-post, but his shot lacked conviction and Wilkerson, although on the ground, was able to make the save.

Rams assistant boss Danny Ward used a towel to wipe the wet football before handing it long throw specialist Simon Pettit on the stroke of half-time.

And this move almost had the desired effect as Welford’s near-post flick on was met by a Steffan Ball at the far-post, but he nodded the ball into Wilmot’s grateful arms.

And another Ramsgate chance arrived just before the break but Phillips’ left-footed drive from 30-yards was straight at the experienced goalkeeper.

Green’s right-footed drive from thirty-yards sailed over Ramsgate’s crossbar early in the second half, but second half chances were at a premium as both defences held firm.

Ramsgate’s left-back, Dean Hill drove an angled free-kick from distance past the foot of the near-post with 21 minutes remaining.

But Hendon almost opened the scoring three minutes later when central defender Mark Leach came up from his defensive duties to see his glancing header, from Busby’s free-kick, drop agonisingly past the foot of the far-post.

And after Busby buzzed off, having been shown his second yellow card by referee Mr Paul Martin, Ramsgate had a glorious chance to grab the victory.

But substitute Dan Dolton blazed his left-footed shot over the bar.

Ward, however, was pleased with the four points that his side have picked up during the past four days.

“It couldn’t have been a bad game to watch, you know what I mean,” he said of tonight’s draw.

“I don’t think either goalkeeper made many saves, but it was an exciting game, a lot of tackles were flying in and stuff like that - we’ll take a point (from) one of our rivals.”

Despite Hendon surprising many with their lofty position, Ward isn’t surprised, especially as Gary McCann’s men have started how they left off towards the end of last season.

“They will be up there at the end of the year,” predicted Ward. “You go back to last, I don’t know, the last 15-20 of the season last year. They were one of the form teams and he’s (McCann) carried it on, fair play to him.

“They’re a young side. I felt they were very lively. I thought they were a good side.  We’ve come here and we’ve got a point - we’ll take that.”

But with four points in the bag from their last two trips into London, Ward is satisfied.

“I said before Saturday’s game at Wealdstone, two very difficult games," he said.

“Wealdstone away then come all the way back here to Hendon away on a Tuesday night.

“Wealdstone, I think will be top half of the table at least. I was quite impressed with them and this mob (Hendon), they’ll be play-off’s, so we’ve come here and we’ve got four points away from home. I’m delighted.”

Speaking about Burton’s move to Portsmouth, that’s the University and not the Premier League club, Ward said: “He’s moved to University and his mum and dad have said they want him to concentrate at least for the first month to get settled in properly to see how he’s education takes him.

“So yes, no qualms about that, he’s education must come first.

“He’s still under contract to Ramsgate Football Club, but we’ll see what happens after the month.”


Hendon: Richard Wilmot, James Burgess, Craig Vargas (Ben Huddell 68, Danny Dyer 87), Mark Leach, James Parker, James Busby, Davis Haule, Dean Green, Brian Haule, Rakatahr Hudson, Wayne O’Sullivan.
Subs: Belal Aiteouakrim, Lubomir Guentchev, Iavor Guentchev.

Booked: Brian Haule 62, James Busby 64, James Parker 77, Mark Leach 82.

Sent off: James Busby 84

Ramsgate: Paul Wilkerson, Sam Vallance, Dean Hill, Nick Davis, Dan Tanner (Will Graham 73), Lee Minshull, Simon Pettit (Dan Dolton 90), Ben Laslett, Shaun Welford, Steffan Ball, Michael Phillips (Warren Schulz 57).
Subs: Dan Dolton, Nick Bagley, Karl Barron.

Booked: Sam Vallance 81

Attendance: 230
Referee: Mr Paul Martin (Northamptonshire)
Assistants: Mr Jim Dunn (Berkshire) & Mr John Costelloe (Buckinghamshire)