Rams boss Ward targets maximum festive haul

NOW that his side have won a home game at the eleventh attempt, Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has told his side to build on this when he takes them to AFC Hornchurch on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

It has been a good week for the Rams, coming away from Ashford Town (Middlesex) with a 3-0 win last weekend and finally breaking their duck at home with a convincing 4-0 win over Chatham Town in the second round of the Ryman League Cup last night.

Despite their win at Short Lane last weekend, Ramsgate remain in the bottom three in the Ryman Premier League table with 16 points from 19 games - just three points from safety.

The biggest thing that has pleased Ward has been keeping two successive clean sheets and he wants to build on this for their trip to Essex against the eleventh placed Urchins.

It’s the start of a mouth-watering festive month as the Rams lock horns with Sutton United (home); Maidstone United (away); Dartford (home) and the home Thanet showdown against Margate on 27^th December - and a trip to Tonbridge Angels on 3^rd January.

And Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, has set his sights high.

“Fifteen points from five games, that’s the target,” said Ward. “We want to get back to averaging two points a game.

Ward is relishing all those big matches, starting against Colin McBride’s Urchins.

“We look forward to it. Colin McBride’s a good lad,” said Ward.

“We beat them last year in the League Cup so we’ll go there; there’s no easy games in the Ryman League (and) we look forward to a great month.”

“The first target is to get out of the bottom four. The league table doesn’t lie. Our first half of the season hasn’t been good enough so we have to build on that.

“You can’t say we’re a bad side. We just have to be more consistent that’s all - we’ll turn the corner.”

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

AFC Hornchurch v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 6^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Stadium, Bridge Avenue, Upminster, Essex RM14 2LX