Kentish Football 
Ramsgate beats the weather to the delight of manager Jim Ward
Saturday 04th December 2010
RAMSGATE will receive a pre-Christmas financial boost as their home game against Eastbourne Town is the ONLY game going ahead in Kent today, writes Stephen McCartney.
Every single other game in Ryman League Division One South has been frozen off because of the wintry cold snap - but Ramsgate’s Southwood Stadium pitch has passed two early pitch inspections - and their game will go ahead.
Whilst Tunbridge Wells, for example, is still covered in a blanket of snow; manager Jim Ward says the pitch at Southwood Stadium is “perfectly playable.”
“We’re on the coast here, it’s completely different,” Ward told www.kentishfootball.co.uk at 10:20 this morning.
“When I got up here, the pitch was three quarters covered in a light dusting of slush. Now when I look at it there’s hardly any slush.
“Underneath the pitch is perfectly playable. It will take a stud, there’s no water lying on the pitch. It’s five degree’s in my car. We just have to move a little bit of slush off the pitch and the referee will be happy.
“I believe the game will go on.”
With the cold snap wiping out EVERY single other football match in the county, Ward urges fans to forget about Christmas shopping and get back on the terraces watching football.
“People can see what Ramsgate have got to offer,” said Ward.
“We won our last game and drawn the one before. We’re playing some decent football, I think. It may give people something to shout about.
“We didn’t train at all Tuesday or Thursday. The guys are gagging for a game of football and they’re all looking forward to it, they’re up for a game of football, the one’s I’ve spoken to are glad it’s on. I’ve had a positive reaction from the players.
“There’s nothing wrong with Southwood’s pitch.”
Ramsgate are presently in seventeenth place in the table with 20 points from 19 games and they can make fast improvement in their league position and could climb up to 12th place with a win.
“I think it will be the same as any other Ryman League game,” added Ward. “It will be fast and furious and we will take the game to them and go for the three points, which we definitely need to climb the table a wee bit.”
Meanwhile, the club have issued a plea for supporters to arrive at Southwood Stadium early to assist with preparing the playing surface.
Ramsgate v Eastbourne Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 4th December 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN
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