Ward hails the return of Twyman

Sunday 08th November 2009

RAMSGATE manager Jim Ward paid tribute to returning goalkeeper Danny Twyman after his side recorded an impressive victory over big-spending title chasers Croydon Athletic yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

No stranger to Ramsgate, Twyman rejoined the club after an injury to Sam Mott left Ward without a senior keeper and the big shot stopper put in a man of the match performance to keep the league's leading scorers at bay and make it four games without conceding for the Rams.

"Danny is as good as any other goalkeeper in this league,” Ward told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk after the giant keeper’s clean sheet ensured Croydon Athletic suffered their first away defeat in a year.

“Let's hope that he has sorted his life out now and that he wants to stay at Ramsgate because he is good to have around the place and when he is in the mood, like I say, he is as good as anybody else.

“He got a couple of goals last weekend playing Sunday league so we will have to see about that, but he will definitely play on Tuesday against Dartford and we will go from there really.

"I haven't even sat the lad down and spoke about anything yet. We haven't talked about expenses or anything he was just happy to play yesterday."

Twyman is expected to start against Ryman Premier League leaders Dartford in the second round of the Championship Manager (Ryman League) Cup on Tuesday night.

The Darts were held by basement side Bognor Regis Town at Princes Park yesterday, Billy Burgess scoring a last-gasp leveller in a six-goal thriller.

Tony Burman’s side are now eleven points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League table, as Hastings United beat Margate 2-1 at The Pilot Field in Mark Butler’s first game in charge at Hartsdown Park.

Ward decided against playing Luke Wheatley, who has returned to Margate, following a successful loan spell at Southwood Stadium.

"We've had four clean sheets in a row and the defence has all been different,” said Ward. “The boy Wheatley has come in from Margate and done quite a good job and I decided to leave him out yesterday as he went back to Margate after the game.

"Jason Dolby came back in after suspension and I went back to the original back four that I have had for most of the season - Andy Hadden, James Gregory, big Will Graham, and Dolby, and of course another new goalkeeper in Danny Twyman. Another new, old goalkeeper anyway.

Quotes courtesy of www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

Ramsgate v Dartford

Championship Manager Cup Second Round

Tuesday 10th November 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN