League survival comes before cup glory, says Ward

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward would like to hear from managers who can lend him two full backs in time for Saturday’s trip to highflying Carshalton Athletic, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk whilst watching a DVD of last Saturday’s vital 1-0 home win over Billericay Town, revealed he is without injured trio Tom Wynter, Danny Walder and Andy Hadden for the trip to Colston Avenue.

A late goal from Ryan Royston sealed the Rams a vital 1-0 home win over Billericay Town last weekend, and Ward feels his side need 45 points to beat the drop from the Ryman Premier League.

“I think we deserved it,” he said. “We had enough chances, but nothing’s going to be pretty down the bottom of the league now. You have to scrap for every point you get, so we keep doing it, doing what we have to do.

“The goal was a trademark set piece, so I was pleased with that.”

Simon Pettit’s 82^nd minute trademark long throw was flicked on by Nick Davis at the near post and Royston was on hand to earn a crucial three points.

But looking forward to Saturday’s trip to Carshalton, Ward is waiting for his phone to ring, with one of his rival managers that are willing to give him a helping hand.

“I’m a bit thin on the ground,” Ward revealed. “Both my full-backs, right back and left back, are out injured so is the cover so if anyone’s got a left back or a right back out there who wants to lend me them for a month and wants to get in touch, they’re welcomed to do it, because at the moment, we haven’t got anybody.

Ward admitted he “wasn’t bothered” that their Ryman League Cup Quarter-Final game at home to Staines Town, scheduled for tonight, was cancelled and Tilbury given a reprieve, despite the Essex side playing Dan Jones, a cup-tied player, in their 3-0 win over the Rams last week.

“Well, look, let’s get things straight,” said Ward. “Tilbury deserved to go through right, they beat us fair and square on the right, but at the end of the day they played an illegal player and I’m surprised that the League have done what they’ve done.

“But to be fair, we’re not that bothered! Bothered? No!

“Survival? That’s why I wasn’t bothered about the game tonight. I said to the chairman before they (Ryman League officials) had their meeting, I said what will be will be. If we got to have to play, then we will - if we don’t have to play that will suit us as well. I didn’t want to get anyone injured tonight.

Ramsgate clinched the silverware with a dramatic penalty shoot out victory over AFC Sudbury at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium last season, and Ward added, “When you’re out, you’re out. It’s one of those cups, all the while you’re in it, you’re ok, as soon as you’re out you don’t care about it - you move onto something else.”

Like picking up three points at Colston Avenue on Saturday, against a side that are in forth place in the table and fighting to clinch a place in the end-of-season play-off lottery.

“Carshalton are a good side, so we’ll go there positive and we’ll have a game plan,” said Ward.

“I think we will need at least 45 points (to beat the drop). If you haven’t got confidence, then you haven’t got anything.

“They want to secure their fifth, top five position. It will be a good game on Saturday.”

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

Carshalton Athletic v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 7^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 2PN