I take every game seriously, says Rams boss - EXCLUSIVE

Assistant manager Danny Ward takes charge of the Ramsgate side for their Kent Senior Cup first round clash at Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Manager Jim Ward is up in Edinburgh for the funeral of his godmother and returns next Sunday - missing the cup clash at Stonebridge Road and Saturday’s home league game against Heybridge Swifts.

But whilst the boss is away, he insists Ramsgate will show the “utmost respect” towards the cup competition and the Blue Square Premier club.

“Everything we enter we want to do well in,” said boss Jim Ward, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the county cup clash.

“We’re not a club with a luxury of (playing) a depleted squad. Every cup we play in we give the utmost respect - that’s the sort of club we are.”

Two years ago the Fleet reached the final of the Kent Senior Cup, losing to Bromley, but last season their kids crashed to a 7-3 defeat to Tonbridge Angels, who like Ramsgate ply their trade in the Ryman Premier League.

But to those Rams fans that are making their way to Northfleet, taking advantage of the reduced admission prices, Jim Ward will ensure that his younger brother Danny will do his best in guiding the club into the last eight.

“We don’t care what they put out, a bunch of kids,” said Jim Ward.

“Ramsgate Football Club will give the game the utmost respect. They will get the same respect whatever team they put on the park.

“We will go there and hopefully try to win the game.

“Every player who starts tomorrow night will be a first team player. If you play well you keep your shirt. The lads that get a chance will go forward and stay in the team on Saturday.”

Former Fleet goalkeeper, Paul Wilkerson, however, has been ruled-out due to flu, and Ward revealed that Danny Twyman comes in, having served a seventy day suspension, picked up playing Sunday League football.

Ramsgate are now fifth in the Ryman Premier League table, following their disappointing 2-1 defeat at Carshalton Athletic - a game that they should have won.

“We were the better team by a mile,” explained Jim Ward. “If you look at the shots on and off target, we were easily the better side.

“But a lapse of concentration in the last ten minutes - the penalty was never a penalty!

“We had three one versus ones’ and two shots off the line. We score any of them, we win the game really comfortable - but we didn’t score (from those chances).

Meanwhile, admission prices for the Stonebridge Road clash have been slashed.

Entry will cost £6 (instead of £13) for adults, and £3 for concessions, with no extra charge if fans wish to sit in the main stand. Season tickets, meanwhile, are not valid for this match.

Visit club websites:  www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk & www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk are making our first trip of the season to Stonebridge Road to cover this game.

Ebbsfleet United v Ramsgate
Kent Senior Cup First Round
Tuesday 20^th November 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9BA