Life's a beach for Rams

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward revealed his side have been working hard on the beach ahead of Saturday’s trip to Billericay Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams booked a trip to Hitchin Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy (1^st November), following their 3-2 win at Tonbridge Angels last weekend.

Hitchin are currently in the bottom seven of the British Gas Business Premier League table with a record of three wins and three draws from ten league games, although they have yet won a league game on home soil, sound familiar?

The Rams have also failed to win a game at Southwood Stadium this season, a venue that normally sends fear into visiting sides.

Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, believes that record will soon come to an end.

“Can’t get to the bottom off it,” he said. “All it takes is one good win at home and we’ll be up and running,”

And running is what Ward’s men have been doing last night as they prepare for their trip to 14^th placed Billericay Town.

“We’ve got a massive (game at) Billericay on Saturday, Hastings away on Tuesday, so four away games on the spin and we’ve won the first one and if we can play at that level we’ll take some stopping,” said Ward.

“They’re a big club Billericay, we’ve always enjoyed it there. It’s a good place to go and play football, they’re a good crowd.”

Ward revealed Lee Minshull and Warren Schulz sat out training last night, although Ben Laslett and Simon Pettit did some light training.

The buoyant Rams wanted a break from the norm last night and spent 90 minutes training on the seafront.

“Last night the players told me they didn’t want to train (at the club), they wanted to go down the beach for an hour-and-a-half, to just train hard,” revealed Ward.

“It’s a good run from the football club down to the beach and we went to train down there for an hour-and-a-half.

“They ran along the harbour wall and up and down the stairs. It’s a great workout.”

Looking ahead to the game at The New Lodge, Ward added: “Very difficult, but we go there in good hearts so we’ll definitely be positive and we want three points.”

Ramsgate players could be treated when they travel to Hitchin Town on 1^st November in the next round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy.

“It’s a nice long away day so we’ll make the most of it,” said Ward. “Whether we make a weekend of it, we haven’t decided yet.”

A couple of wins, over Billericay and Hastings in the next few days, may prompt the club to allow their players to let their hair down in Hertfordshire.

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

Billericay Town v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 25^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9SA