Jim Ward will get his guys fired up, warns Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon says he expects a full-blooded Kent derby against Jim and Danny Ward’s Sittingbourne on Tuesday night.



The Rams go into the eagerly-awaited game sitting in ninth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, one place lower than the Brickies.  Both clubs have won six and drawn three of their thirteen games.

Both teams go into the game full of confidence after winning their games on Saturday by two goals to nil.

Dixon reflected on his side’s victory away to Corinthian-Casuals, courtesy of goals from Tom Chapman and Macauley Murray inside the opening eight minutes of the game.

“We started the game extremely quick and sharp out of the blocks and we were 2-0 up after eight minutes,” said Dixon.

“We could have had another couple of goals in quick succession, so it was a great start and we weren’t in any trouble whatsoever.  In fact second half we could have got a few more goals. We created a lot of chances.

“We defended really well at the other side of the pitch, so very pleasing.  We kept a clean sheet and we won the game.  As I’ve said so many times this season there’s some funny results in this league and to get a win away from home against anyone in this league is very pleasing.”

Dixon handed defender Tom Parkinson, 21, his debut against the Surrey-based side and was pleased with how the former Canterbury City defender performed.

Dixon said: “You did a very good article on Tom Parkinson and he made his debut on Saturday and did very well. A very pleasing performance. He goes back to Hythe on Saturday and Scott Porter was very helpful.  I spoke to Scott about Tom’s transfer because he was still on Ryman forms at Hythe Town.  Scott made life very easy for me and he was extremely helpful and I appreciate that.” 

But before their trip to Hythe Town on Saturday, Ramsgate lock horns against a club jointly-managed by the club’s most successful manager, Jim Ward.

“Because it’s a Kent derby it will be a very, very, very tough game and I’m sure Jim will get his guys fired up for it and they’ll be looking for a result coming back to Southwood with his new team,” said Dixon.

“I think he’s still friends with a lot of people at Ramsgate so he won’t want to come back there and not do well.

“It’s good for him and good for us really.  At the end of the day it’s a Kent derby so it’s going to be a tough game irrespective of Jim’s team or Jay Saunders’ (Maidstone United) team.  They’re all tough games as every manager will tell you in Kent at the moment. There’s lots of derby games in this league so it’s going to be tough whether you’re home or away.”

Both sides go into Tuesday night’s game only six points adrift of joint-leaders Maidstone United and Hythe Town.

Dixon said: “It’s still too early. There’s not many points to the bottom of the table still.  I’m not really looking at the moment. We’ll see where we are after Christmas and hopefully we’re still on the winning run by then.”

Ramsgate play two of their fourteen Kent derbies this week and travel to second-placed (or joint-top) side Hythe Town on Saturday.

“It’s added a bit of spice.  It’s a good league to be in when you consider the local derbies and maybe a little bit of extra revenue because of the games.

“In all seriousness a lot of us will be looking to get into the play-offs rather than winning the league. Saying that we’d all like to win the league and there’s favourites for the league (Maidstone United).

“If any other Kent teams can be around the play-off area they’d have done very well this year.”

Dixon wants to replicate the form being shown by Hythe Town, who have showed team spirit and togetherness can stand you in good stead at this level.

Dixon expects another “tough one” at Reachfields Stadium.

“We spoke within the last couple of weeks of building momentum and it’s exactly what Hythe have done and we’re in a similar run of form at the moment.

“It’s a very, very tough game for us and I’m sure Scott will be saying the same to his guys.

“Again, another Kent derby, full of passion and fire in the belly. It will be a tough game and we’ll approach it how we do in every other fixture, to try and get a result and keep the momentum, the winning mentality going.”

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

Ramsgate  v  Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 20^th November 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN