It's about time we beat the Angels, says Ward - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward felt Wiltshire referee, Mr David Woolford, gave AFC Wimbledon a helping hand yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams had at least two penalty appeals turned down as their Ryman Premier League campaign got underway with a 2-0 defeat at Kingsmeadow - and they also had Ollie Schulz sent off early in the second half for a late tackle on Richard Jolly.

“It’s easy to say that the right team won,” admitted Ward, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They’d argue the fact that they had plenty of the ball and plenty of chances, but there was only plenty of chances when Ollie went off.

“We more than matched them, we went with a system, and two mistakes, two goals.

“But we had some great chances, Steffan Ball had seven shots, two of which the keeper made really good saves.

“The (AFC Wimbledon) keeper made a great save from Simon Pettit and Nick Davis should have done better with a header as well.

“So they’d argue the fact that they deserved to win, but we certainly didn’t let ourselves down.”

Ward was full of praise for the returning Steffan Ball, playing his first game for the club following his year out travelling.

He said: “Steffan Ball was probably our best player. I thought he played ever so well. My defence played well, my keeper played well.”

But Ward admitted the crowd of 2,829 had influenced the match officials.

“The biggest thing was the referee,” said Ward. “I think (secretary) Martin (Abel) done some stats about free-kick’s conceded and we conceded 15 and they conceded 23, we had four players booked, one sent off, they had none, so it tells a bit of a story - he got involved with the crowd, our referee.”

Attention now turns to Tuesday night’s showdown with Kentish rivals, Tonbridge Angels and a crowd of over 500 is expected at Southwood Stadium to watch this fixture that generates goals and passion.

“They’ve had some great games against us over the last couple of years, haven’t we?” recalled Ward.

“I’ve asked my players to get eight points from our first four games and I will be delighted if we can. I don’t see why not we can’t get that.”

Midfielder Lee Minshull has been added to the Rams squad for the derby, after missing yesterday’s opener through suspension.

And Ward is desperate to break their league duck against Tony Dolby’s side.

“We’ve got two bogey sides,” said Ward. “Leyton beat us twice last year and we’ve never been very successful against Tonbridge but none of that puts me down.

“It’s a localish derby, I know the chairman would like to get over 500 there on a Tuesday night.

“It depends on the weather and no opposition from TV, so it should be a good crowd.”

Ward is willing to give players their chance at this level.

“Lee Minshull played for the reserves (and is) another one of potential,” he said.

“I keep signing potential players so we’ll do it again this year.

“Andy Haddon, Karl Barron, Danny Wisker and Dan Tanner, so again, potential, see what happens.

“They don’t all make the grade but I know they’ll give it a go.”

Tonbridge Angels player-manager, Tony Dolby, has more selection problems ahead of their trip to Southwood Stadium.

Ian Parkes is now “away for a week” and Hamid Barr faces a fitness test due to picking up a foot injury yesterday.

Scott Kinch, Ray Powell and John Beales are still suspended, and Dolby is still without Scott Gooding (knee) and Adam Greenway (metatarsal).

But the plus point from their opening day 2-2 draw with Staines Town at the Betterview Longmead Stadium yesterday, was that star-striker, Jon Main scored twice.

When asked if he was happy with picking up a point on the opening day, Dolby replied: “Taking everything into account, yes.

“For a start, the weather was very strange, was very windy for the first game of the season and we started off very well.

“A silly mistake by the keeper cost us dear, 1-0 down at half-time.”

But he was delighted that Main, who netted a record breaking 44 goals last term, got off the mark with a brace - the first scoring from a rare header, the second from the penalty spot, which he won himself.

“He had a quiet game,” said Dolby. “He missed an early chance, a header early on, and didn’t get a sniff after that.

“Then early in the second half , Steve Harper worked well on the right and cross for him, and a bit of indecision Jon took advantage of that, and scored the penalty.”



OFF THE MARK:  Tonbridge Angels striker, Jon Main scored a rare headed goal to open his goalscoring account against Staines Town on Saturday.  The former Cray Wanderers striker, 26, also netted from the penalty spot.
Photograph courtesy of www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

He added: “I think it was a fair result, we had five first-teamers out, and that’s hard at this stage of the season.”

But Dolby’s men face a tough examination against a Ramsgate side that they tend to do well against.

“We seem to do well and score up there quiet frequently but it’s always a tough game against them no matter what,” said Dolby.

“I’m sure they’re going to be hungry after opening their account with a loss.

“They’re a good side, very organised and good at set-pieces and we’ve got to be on top of our game if we are to get something out of it.”

Visit club websites:

www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum


Ramsgate v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 21^st August 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN ·