LIVE COVERAGE: Staines Town 2-1 Ramsgate - Penalty decision costs Rams place in play-off final

Tuesday 29th April 2008

STAINES TOWN 2-1 RAMSGATE
Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 29^th April 2008
Stephen McCartney reports from Wheatsheaf Park

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RAMSGATE remain in the Ryman Premier League next season, following their 2-1 defeat at Staines Town tonight. Click below for our LIVE COVERAGE from a very wet Wheatsheaf Park.

RESULT: STAINES TOWN 2-1 RAMSGATE
Ramsgate’s players go to their supporters and thank them for their support as their promotion dream dies here tonight. Staines Town will meet AFC Wimbledon in an all-ticket final here on Saturday, with a limit of 2,500. Rams fans sing “we’re proud of you” as their side lose 2-1.

GOAL: STAINES TOWN 2-1 RAMSGATE

A cross from substitute Dan Dolton from the right is glanced home by Simon Pettit’s near-post header, which finds the bottom right-hand corner from just three-yards out. The goal was timed at 38:35 into the second half.

83 MINUTES

Buterl’s right-footed shot clips the top of the left-hand post as Swans go close to adding a third.

83 MINUTES

With time running out, Rams substitute Stuart King finds room and unleashes a left-footed drive from 25-yards is comfortably saved by the home goalkeeper.

79 MINUTES

With all three of their substitutes on, Ollie Schulz blasts a shot high into the housing behind the goal.

77 MINUTES

A low pass from Nwokeji finds Howard Newton in space and he is denied by a fine save from the advancing Wilkerson, who beats out the shot.

76 MINUTES

Ramsgate substitute Dan Dolton’s shot rolls to Courtnage, who makes a comfortable save.

GOAL: STAINES TOWN 2-0 RAMSGATE

Staines should be playing in Saturday’s promotion play-off final as Scarlett’s right-footed shot from 20-yards, found the back of the net via the left-hand post, after a poor defensive header from Rams Nick Davis. Despite Wilkerson diving to his right he couldn’t prevent the west London side deservedly scoring a second. The goal was timed at 29:08

RAMS SUB

Skipper Warren Schulz is replaced by Dan Dolton and before he jogs off the pitch he hands the captain’s armband to Dean Hill, the left-back.

72 MINUTES

Wilkerson makes a comfortable save from Risbridger’s right-footed drive from thirty-yards. Ramsgate are being

70 MINUTES

Warren Schulz, crowded out on the edge of the Staines penalty area, pokes the ball back, but this goes straight to Andre Scarlett, who uses his pace to burst forward, before rolling the ball into Butler’s path and his right-footed drive from 25-yards sails over.

68 MINUTES

Ramsgate are awarded a free-kick in a central position 28-yards from goal, but despite taking a long run-up Warren Schulz drills a right-footed shot into the wall, positioned on the edge of the penalty area.

65 MINUTES

Howard Newton drills a right-footed shot just past the near post as Staines go in search for a second.

60 MINUTES

Butler, in space on the right-hand side of the penalty area, drills a left-footed shot, which brings a comfortable save from Wilkerson at his near post.

GOAL: 55 MINUTES: STAINES TOWN 1-0 RAMSGATE

Staines Town break the deadlock in controversial circumstances. Striker Richard Butler sent a header over the top of the near-post but referee Mr Brook pointed to the spot, following Ollie Schulz’s challenge. Following treatment to Butler, Dave Sargent drilled a left-footed penalty into the bottom left-hand corner, past the right-hand of the diving Wilkerson, who dived the right way. The penalty was timed at 9:27 into the second half.

50 MINUTES

Ramsgate’s first corner, whipped in by Jones on the left, is met by Warren Schulz’s glancing header from eight-yards out, which sails past the right hand-post.

SECOND HALF

Staines, in yellow and blue, get the second half underway - let’s hope that the rain stays away and that the Rams get the win to make it through to Saturday’s final.

HALF TIME: STAINES TOWN 0-0 RAMSGATE

Staines Town have had the better chances but the Rams, who arrived at the ground late, will be happy going into the break on level terms.

HALF TIME: AFC WIMBLEDON 2-0 AFC HORNCHURCH

An announcement over the public address system tells fans that the Dons have one foot in Saturday’s final - against Staines Town or Ramsgate. In any case the Rams will be away from home if they make it through.

INJURY TIME

Rams goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson makes a comfortable save from a looping header from Richard Butler, following a cross from the left.

45 MINUTES

A scramble inside the Staines penalty area almost leads to an attempt on goal as Davis is brought down inside the six-yard box, but a free-kick was given for the home side. After the whistle went Lee Minshull, about eight-yards out, stabs the ball into the net.

41 MINUTES

Staines’ Toppin, who had the game’s first chance inside the opening four minutes, is booked for a lunge on Jones from behind, some 30-yards from Rams’ by-line.

38 MINUTES

Staines make the first substitution as Jake Newton replaces the injured Marcel Nugent - the travelling Ramsgate fans can still be heard to our left.

31 MINUTES

Sam Jones nips in front of goalkeeper Courtnage, rushing off his line, to send his right-footed shot, from the left-hand side of the Staines penalty area, over the top of the left-hand post.

30 MINUTES

Ramsgate fans chant “where’s your famous Ali G” to the silent home faithful.

27:50

Ollie Schulz’s diagonal pass plays in midfielder Sam Jones, and as goalkeeper James Courtnage comes sliding out, the ball is retrieved by Jones, whose cross from the by-line is headed clear by a Staines defender. The Rams have yet tested Courtnage so far. Despite a heavy downpour before the game, the rain has, thankfully, stopped.

24:15

Despite plenty of Staines pressure, Ramsgate’s Lee Minshull, who has now moved from right to left midfield, sends a right-footed shot from 30-yards, which curls over the crossbar.

22:31

Ramsgate defender Ollie Schulz is the first player yellow carded for a foul on Nwokeji, in a central position. Right-sided midfielder, Andre Scarlett then cracks the resulting free-kick, with his right-foot, which sails agonisingly over the top of the right-hand post from 28-yards.

20:09

Best chance of the game falls to Staines. Nwokeji latches onto a pass down the inside left-channel but drills a left-footed shot across goalkeeper Paul Wilerson, but also drags his shot from eight-yards past the far-post.

17 MINUTES

Staines Town force two corners, on either side, but solid defending from the Rams thwart them.

16 MINUTES

Rams fans chant “you’re supposed to be at home”, “Come on you Rams” and “shall we sing a song for you” to the quiet Staines fans.

14:25

A shot from Gareth Risbridger sails over Ramsgate’s crossbar from 25-yards.

13:08

A combination of Nick Davis, Ollie Schulz and Dean Hill and goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson prevents Staines’ top-scorer Mark Nwokeji inside the penalty area, down the right-hand side.

11 MINUTES

Ramsgate fans, who had a terrible trip to west London, are in full voice, and Staines are silent.

5 MINUTES

It’s the travelling contingent that are vocal early on, while hundreds of Staines fans around the ground are wearing yellow baseball caps.

3:14

Staines, a side that finished second, have the game’s first chance. Dave Sargents’ cross from the right was met by Adrian Toppins’ downward header, which flew past the right-post from six-yards. Sargent had taken the game’s first corner moments earlier.

KICK-OFF

Ramsgate, in all green, finally get this play-off game underway at 8pm.

19:32

Ramsgate’s players begin their warm-up.

19:30

A announcement tells fans that the kick-off has been put back to 8pm due to the fact that Ramsgate arrived here late and it also allows the ground staff to work on the playing surface, despite it still training.

19:22

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward walks onto the pitch, to discuss matters with the three match officials on the edge of the centre circle.

19:19

Staines Town’s players start strolling out for their pre-match warm-up.

19:14

CRAY WANDERERS P-P METROPOLITAN POLICE

Mike Green has just been informed that the Ryman League Division One South play-off has just been postponed, due to a waterlogged pitch at Hayes Lane.

19:04

Just telephoned Jim Ward, who is still on the team coach, and he says that they’re expected to arrive at the ground in about fifteen minutes time. It’s still raining here at Wheatsheaf Park.

19:00

No sign of Ramsgate as yet, due to a serious accident on the M25, with delays of up to an hour being reported. Meanwhile, back in Kent, work is continuing at Hayes Lane to make sure the pitch is playable for the Cray Wanderers-Metropolitan Police match.

18:53

One man, wearing Staines’ coaching strip, including shorts, is forking the pitch, along with two stewards, one wearing a bright orange jacket, the other a yellow one.

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For more details please click on CONTACT US - or telephone Stephen McCartney on 07979 418 360. Our recent LIVE COVERAGE of the Folkestone Invicta v AFC Hornchurch game attracted over 3,000 hits.

18:20

Despite the rain lashing down on the Wheatsheaf Park pitch, here at Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines, the pitch is in pristine condition. The floodlights are now on. This game is going ahead.

Stephen McCartney is at Wheatsheaf Park, bringing LIVE COVERAGE, whilst Mike Green’s at Hayes Lane to bring goal-flashes.

ON THE BRINK!
Ramsgate, a club that were playing Kent League football in 2005, are on the brink of reaching the Blue Square South. A win at Staines Town tonight, and Saturday’s play-off final, will represent an impressive few years for the Southwood Stadium club.

LIVE COVERAGE OF TWO PLAY-OFF GAMES

Subject to our recently temperamental internet connection, we hope to provide you with LIVE COVERAGE of tonight’s Ryman Premier League semi-final between Staines Town and Ramsgate at Wheatsheaf Park - and score updates of Cray Wanderers' match against Metropolitan Police.

Games have to be settled on the night, with extra time and penalties, if needed.

The winner of this, our main game, game will meet AFC Wimbledon or AFC Hornchurch, who meet at Kingsmeadow tonight, in Saturday’s play-off final.

Whoever finished the highest in the Ryman Premier League will host the final. If Ramsgate get through, they will have to play away from home again as they finished their campaign in the last play-off place - fifth.

Mike Green’s at Hayes Lane to see if Cray Wanderers can continue their dominance of Metropolitan Police, having completed the double over them in the Ryman League Division One South this season. Ian Jenkins' side will meet either Tooting & Mitcham United or Worthing should they win tonight.

IN-FORM

Both Staines Town and Ramsgate go into this play-off semi-final showdown at Wheatsheaf Park in good form. The Swans, who won their last two Ryman Premier League games of the season, collected 24 points out of a possible 30, whilst Ramsgate, who ended their campaign with three straight wins, picked up 22 points during the same time.

REMOVE STAINES
Ramsgate have yet scored against Staines this season, having lost 1-0 at Southwood Stadium last October and 2-0 here at Wheatsheaf Park on the 5^th January. Rams boss Jim Ward insists his side, at full-strength, “owe them one”.

Staines Town: James Courtnage, Marcel Nugent (Jake Newton 38), Dave Sargent, Danny Gordon, Matt Flitter, Gareth Risbridger, Andre Scarlett, Adrian Toppin, Richard Butler, Mark Nwokeji (Elliot Onochie 81), Howard Newton.
Subs: Lewis Cook, Marien Ifura, Dean Thomas.
Goals: Dave Sargent 55 (pen), Andre Scarlett 75
Booked: Adrian Toppin 41
Ramsgate: Paul Wilkerson, Ashley Burton (Simon Pettit 77), Dean Hill, Nick Davis, Ollie Schulz, Ben Laslett, Sam Jones, Warren Schulz (Dan Dolton 72), Lee Minshull, Stuart Vahid, Andy Hadden (Stuart King 75).
Subs: Dan Tanner, Shaun Allison.
Goals: Simon Pettit 84
Booked: Ollie Schulz 22, Nick Davis 54, Andy Hadden 60
Attendance: 502
Referee: Mr Carl Berry (Cheam, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr Daniel Wyatt (Orpington, Kent) & Mr Maurice Cook (Braintree, Essex)
Fourth Official: Mr Gary Jerden (Grays, Essex)